Fundraisers and presidents from all 16 colleges of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), including Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKCTC), recently signed the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Code of Ethics pledge.

They were joined by KCTCS President Jay K. Box and AFP President/CEO Mike Geiger, along with KCTCS Vice President Benjamin Mohler and the development staff in Versailles.

“This occasion marks the first time that an entire college system has comprehensively addressed the issue of ethics and ethical fundraising by taking on the mantle and standards of the AFP Code of Ethics, the only enforceable ethical code in the entire global fundraising profession,” said AFP President/CEO Mike Geiger. “The Kentucky Community and Technical College System has taken the leadership role not just among community colleges, not just in the state, but in the country—by abiding by the highest ethical standards in the fundraising profession. No other university or college or system has come close to what KCTCS is doing today.”

According to Southeast President Vic Adams, the signing represents the college’s commitment to professional and individual ethics.

“This reflects our culture at Southeast, one that recognizes the importance of not only putting our students first, but of doing so with transparency and integrity,” Adams said.

Throughout October, AFP and its partners will highlight the importance of ethical fundraising and provide new resources and tools for charities and fundraisers to demonstrate their commitment to the highest ethical standards.