Fundraising Policy


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Ethical Fundraising Policy

The Board of Trustees of Prescap hereby commits this not-for-profit organisation to observe and promote ethical principles and values with respect to all relationships, communications and transactions associated with charitable fundraising.The Board of Trustees, through this resolution, pledges that the organisation will strive to conduct itself to act in accordance with the six ethical principles of conduct stated herein. In doing so, the Board of Trustees pledges to abide the basic behaviour standards associated with each ethical principle and pledges to strive toward those standards that reflect excellence in fundraising practices.The Board of Trustees recognises that such ethical conduct is rooted in the core values of the charitable non-profit sector and that it serves to promote the public’s trust in the mission and work of Prescap and in the charitable non-profit sector as a whole.For the purposes of this pledge, the core values that guide the ethical decision-making and activities of charitable fundraising include truthfulness in communication; responsibility; openness; fairness; quality; public and donor accountability; respect for other nonprofits and the sector; respect for donor privacy; and respect for donor freedom of choice. The charity will be aware of all applicable Charity Laws with respect to charitable solicitation and will strive to act in accordance with the spirit, as well as the letter, of the law and will apply the following rules:


  • Prescap is a member of the “Institute of Fundraising”. www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk
  • The Prescap Board of Trustees will adopt written policies as outlined and maintained by the Institute of Fundraising to govern the fundraising activities of its members and these policies shall be in accordance with all applicable laws. (A list of the policies can been read at our office or via our website www.prescap.co.uk)
  • Prescap will only fundraise and except donations from companies that do not appear on the Co-operative Banks list of non ethical companies.
  • If after entering into agreement with a company it then comes to light that the company operates in a non ethical manner Prescap will cease to except any income and may return any donations or funds from that company in line with its Acceptance and Refusal of donations policy.

FIVE UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES


Five important principles of Prescap’s fundraising:


Honesty: All Prescap fundraisers shall at all times act honestly and truthfully so that the public trust is protected and donors and beneficiaries are not misled.


Respect: Fundraisers shall at all times act with respect for the dignity of their profession and their organisation and with respect for the dignity of donors and beneficiaries.


Integrity: Fundraisers will act openly and with regard to their responsibility for public trust. They shall disclose all actual or potential conflicts of interest and avoid any appearance of personal or professional misconduct.


Empathy: Fundraisers will work in a way that promotes their purpose and encourage others to use the same professional standards and engagement. They shall value individual privacy, freedom of choice, and diversity in all forms.


Transparency: Fundraisers stimulate clear reports about the work they do, the way donations are managed and disbursed, and costs and expenses, in an accurate and comprehensible manner.

(International Statement of Ethical Principles in Fundraising October 2006)

SIX STANDARDS OF PRACTICE


1. Prescaps responsibility regarding donations.



Donations should be accepted if voluntary, in line with the goals of the organisation and willBring not more than reasonable costs related to the value of the donation. • Funds will be disbursed in accordance with the donor’s wishes, if expressed. • Funds will not be raised for the personal financial gain of the fundraiser. • Funds will be collected carefully and with respect of donor’s free choice, without the use ofpressure, harassment, intimidation or coercion.


2. Relationship with stakeholders.



Prescap will be strictly answerable to all stakeholders including donors andbeneficiaries. • We will respect donor rights by providing timely information about howcontributions are used, respecting donor privacy, and honouring donor wishes. • We will respect beneficiary rights and preserve their dignity and self-respect. Wewill not use fundraising materials or techniques that undermine this dignity. • We will work with suppliers or intermediary agents at the same standards as withinour organisation. We will make reasonable efforts to assure that suppliers do not gainunreasonable profit while working with Prescap.


3. Responsibility for communications, marketing and public information.


Prescap will only use public information that is accurate, truthful and not misleading,and information that respects the dignity and self-respect of beneficiaries. • We will not express or suggest in public information that fundraising lacksadministration and fundraising costs, thus giving the incorrect impression that fundraisingactivity is without costs. • We will provide truthful information about use of funds, without exaggeration orunderestimation. • We will respect data protection rules and laws at all times. • We accept that all donor and prospect information developed by or on behalf of anour organisation shall not be transferred or utilised except on behalf of that organisation. • Donor wishes to be removed from request lists will be followed promptly and withoutobstacles for the donor.


4. Management reporting, finance and fundraising costs.


Prescap will assure that all fundraising transactions, accounting and reporting for whichwe are responsible are transparent and unambiguous. • We will report within the national and international standards of accounting methods. • We will submit accurate annual reports to all stakeholders within a reasonable time. • We will be open and clear to all stakeholders about fundraising costs, fees and expensesand the way these are allocated.


5. Payments and compensation.



Prescap fundraisers will provide their services either as a volunteer, or on a salaried basisor for pre-determined fees. Our fundraisers will not accept commissions or compensationbased upon a percentage of the funds raised. • Fundraisers will not accept any gratuity when making decisions on behalf of theorganisation. • Fundraisers will not seek or accept any personal payments, in cash or in kind, from asupplier of goods or services in recompense for business placed with that supplier. • Criteria that will qualify a fundraiser for performance-based remuneration must be agreedupon beforehand and should not be based on a percentage of the funds raised.


6. Compliance with national laws.


Prescap will comply with applicable local, national or international civil and criminal laws. • We will not engage in activities that conflict with national and international legal obligations.


Reg Charity Number: 1046936

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