ETHICAL FUNDRAISING POLICY
Why we need to raise funds
Action for A-T has an ambitious strategy to develop therapies and eventually a cure for the rare genetic condition known as Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T). To deliver this strategy, we need funds. In raising these funds, we will share our vision, our plan of work and our impact and will seek to engage as many supporters as possible. Raising funds does not drive the work of Action for A-T; it drives our ability to deliver our work. In donating and raising funds, our supporters are acting to help the children and families living with the devastating effects of A-T.
How we raise funds
We are honest and behave with integrity in all our fundraising activities. We raise funds in accordance with our fundraising policy, principles and associated procedures, and with our data protection policy and procedures. These comply with relevant UK laws and regulation, including those related to privacy. We respect our supporters’ privacy and right to decide how and if Action for A-T contacts them. We treat people equally and fairly and follow the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice regarding how we engage with supporters who may be in vulnerable circumstances.
All Action for A-T staff and volunteers involved in fundraising are required to have a thorough understanding of this policy and adhere to it and its associated procedures.
Where our funds come from
We will seek to generate income and donations from a diverse range of sources to ensure we maintain our sustainability and are not dependent on any single source of income.
We accept donations from a range of organisations – trusts, foundations, companies, commercial organisations and unions – where there will be a benefit to our research work, without compromising our mission, independence and credibility.
We will not solicit or accept gifts from individuals, governments or organisations that might use their funding relationship with Action for A-T to deflect criticism from their own involvement in related issues, or with whom association would significantly risk our reputation.
All gifts and offers of support from organisations will be screened against a set of ethical guidelines in accordance with our fundraising procedures. Sizeable gifts and legacies from individuals will also be subject to screening prior to solicitation or acceptance. If we turn down a gift or offer of support, we will explain why. We can only accept donations that are lawfully made.
We actively seek funding in pursuit of our charitable and strategic objectives. We ensure that projects for which we raise funds reflect our mission and priorities and that neither the funding opportunities we pursue, nor the requirements of funders, will deflect us from our strategic objectives.
We operate the Charity Commission’s ‘Know your Donor’ principle and will make reasonable and appropriate attempts to identify any individual or organisation that gives us financial support, particularly where significant sums are being donated, or the circumstances of the donation might give rise to notable risk.
We will not accept anonymous corporate donations. We may accept anonymous individual, or trust donations where there has been a rigorous third-party due diligence process, to confirm that Action for A-T is not potentially compromised. If a supporter makes themselves known to Action for A-T but wishes their gift to remain anonymous, we will honour these wishes, on the basis that the donation carries no significant reputational risk.
Review of this Policy
This policy was reviewed and approved by Action for A-T’s Board of Trustees on 15th March 2022.
