Ethical Fundraising & Financial Accountability Code

Ethical Fundraising & Financial Accountability Code

This Ethical Fundraising & Financial Accountability Code’s primary purpose is to assure donors of the integrity and accountability of the Brainwave Charity to solicit and receive their financial support.

Brainwave has adopted this Code to commit:

  • To fundraising practices that respect donors’ rights to truthful information and to privacy.
  • To manage responsibly the funds that donors entrust to them.
  • To report their financial affairs accurately and completely.

Donors or prospective donors who have questions or concerns about fundraising activities should contact the Charity.

Members of Brainwave’s governing Board commit to being responsible custodians of donated funds, to exercising due care concerning the governance of fundraising and financial reporting and ensuring to the best of their ability that the organisation adheres to the provisions of the Code.  It is hereby confirmed that each member of the governing Board has received a copy of the Ethical Fundraising & Financial Accountability Code and that a copy will also be provided to each person who is subsequently elected to the governing Board.

A. Donors’ Rights

  1. All donors (individuals, corporations, and Trusts) are entitled to receive an official receipt for income tax purposes for the amount of the donation. Donors of non-monetary eligible gifts (or gifts-in-kind) are entitled to receive an official receipt that reflects the fair market value of the gift.
  2. All fundraising solicitations by or on behalf of the Charity will disclose the Charity’s name and the purpose for which funds are requested.  Printed solicitations (however transmitted) will also include its address or other contact information.
  3. Donors and prospective donors are entitled to the following, promptly upon request:
    • The Charity’s most recent annual report and accounts
    • The Charity’s registration number
    • A list of the names of the Charity’s governing Board
  4. Donors and prospective donors are entitled to know, upon request, whether an individual soliciting funds on behalf of the Charity is a volunteer, an employee or a professional fundraiser.
  5. Donors will be encouraged to seek independent advice if Brainwave has any reason to believe that a proposed gift might significantly affect the donor’s financial position, taxable income, or relationship with other family members.
  6. Donors’ requests to remain anonymous will be respected.
  7. The privacy of donors will be respected.  Any donor records that are maintained by Brainwave will be kept confidential to the greatest extent possible.  Donors have the right to see their own donor record, and to challenge its accuracy.
  8. If the Charity exchanges, rents, or otherwise shares its fundraising list with other organisations, a donor’s request to be excluded from the list will be honoured.
  9. Donors and prospective donors will be treated with respect. Every effort will be made to honour their requests to:
    • Limit the frequency of solicitations
    • Not to be solicited by telephone
    • Receive printed material concerning the Charity
  10. Brainwave will respond promptly to a complaint by a donor or prospective donor about any matter that is addressed in this Ethical Fundraising & Financial Accountability Code.  A designated staff member or volunteer will attempt to satisfy the complainant’s concerns in the first instance.  A complainant who remains dissatisfied will be informed that he/she may appeal in writing to Brainwave’s governing Board and will be advised in writing of the disposition of the appeal. A complainant who is still dissatisfied will be informed that he/she may notify the Charity Commission in writing.
  11. The Trustees of Brainwave reserve the right to return or refuse donations which might be regarded as compromising the Charity’s values and integrity. This includes any implied or actual money laundering.

B. Fundraising Practices

  1. Fundraising solicitations on behalf of the Charity will:
    • Be truthful
    • Accurately describe the Charity’s activities and the intended use of donated funds
    • Respect the dignity and privacy of those who benefit from the Charity’s activities
  2. Volunteers, employees and professional fundraisers who solicit or receive funds on behalf of the Charity shall:
    • Adhere to the provsions of this Code
    • Act with fairness, integrity, and in accordance with all applicable laws
    • Adhere to the provisions of applicable professional codes of ethics, standards of practice etc
    • Cease solicitation of a prospective donor who identifies the solicitation as harrassment or undue pressure
    • Disclose immediately to the Charity any actual or apparent conflict of interest
    • Not accept donations for purposes that are inconsistent with the Charity’s objects or mission
  3. The Charity will not sell its donor list.  If applicable, any rental, exchange or other sharing of the Charity’s donor list will exclude the names of donors who have so requested.  If a list of the Charity’s donors is exchanged, rented or otherwise shared with another organisation, such sharing will be for a specified period of time and a specified purpose.
  4. The Charity’s governing Board will be informed at least annually of the number, type and disposition of complaints received from donors or prospective donors about matters that are addressed in this Ethical Fundraising & Financial Accountability Code.

C. Financial Accountability

  1. The Charity’s financial affairs will be conducted in a responsible manner, consistent with the ethical obligations of stewardship and the legal requirements of the Charity Commission and UK law.
  2. All donations will be used to support the Charity’s objectives.
  3. All restricted or designated donations will be used for the purposes for which they are given.  If necessary, due to programme or organisational changes, alternative uses will be discussed where possible with the donor or the donor’s legal representative.  If the donor is deceased or legally incompetent and the Charity is unable to contact a legal representative, the donation will be used in a manner that is as consistent as possible with the donor’s original intent.
  4. No more will be spent on administration and fundraising than is required to ensure effective management and resource development.
  5. The cost-effectiveness of the Charity’s fundraising programme will be reviewed regularly by the governing Board.