As Somerset Wildlife Trust supporters, members, volunteers, staff or trustees you understand how vital our fundraising is to us.
Donations help us continue to lead nature’s recovery across Somerset and should contribute towards the Trust’s overall strategy and plans. Our aim is to make sure our fundraising is legal, open, honest and accountable - and in our best interest.
Sometimes we may need to refuse a donation – most times we can accept. This policy explains to all Somerset Wildlife Trust supporters, members, volunteers, staff and trustees how Somerset Wildlife Trust approaches accepting and refusing donations.
Applicability
This policy applies to all members of our charity, including trustees. It is to be brought to the attention of anyone who is involved in accepting donations.
Compliance
As a registered charity, we comply with all relevant UK laws and regulatory guidelines, including those issued by the Charity Commission, HMRC and the Fundraising Regulator.
In soliciting funds, we will not knowingly mislead or provide false information, nor put undue pressure on a donor, particularly if he/she may be vulnerable.
We will also take all reasonable steps to avoid asking for regular donations (for example, by direct debit), including membership, from anyone aged under 18.
Acceptance of donations
We accept donations on a good faith basis. That is there is a presumption that a donation is acceptable, unless there is evidence to the contrary. We carry out appropriate risk-based due diligence to mitigate this risk to an acceptable degree.
In deciding to accept, or reject, a donation we balance the impact on our beneficiaries of not accepting the funding, against the impact on our charity of accepting a donation that should not have been. That may include risks such as harm to our beneficiaries’ interests, reputational damage, loss of public trust and the risk of breaking the law.
Factors we will consider in making decision will include any physical or mental-health condition, disability or learning difficulties the person may have, whether the person is facing times of stress or anxiety, whether a donation is likely to affect the person’s ability to sufficiently care for themselves or leave them in financial hardship, how well the person can speak and understand English, whether the person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs and the person’s age.
Refusal of donations
- We will not accept a donation where there are reasonable grounds to believe:
- The individual or organisation holds views, or is involved in activities, incompatible with our values as a charity.
- The donation may be an attempted scam, or to launder money or evade tax, or is in some other way illegal.
- There may be private benefit linked to the donation, such as an obligation to purchase goods or services from a specified company.
- Conditions attached to the donation are so inflexible that they undermine our independence.
- Or are so onerous as to compromise our effectiveness.
- Or restrict who may benefit to the extent of undermining our public benefit obligation. - The cost of accepting the donation would exceed its value.
Regulatory Guidance
- Charity Commission – advice on suspect donations.
- Fundraising Regulator – behaviour when fundraising. The Institute of Fundraising has produced a practical guide.
Approval and Review
Approval By Finance & Resources Committee Date 1 November 2022
Next Review Date November 2024