Introduction
All those involved in fundraising for charitable organisations, whether they are fundraising professionals or volunteers, have a responsibility to donors, to the organisation, and to the cause that is being supported. At the heart of fundraising ethics lies the need to ensure that our mission, our sense of personal integrity, and the trust of the donor are not violated.
This requires openness, transparency and respect. Further, there is a need for the University Jewish Chaplaincy to ensure that it does not expose itself by accepting donations from questionable or inappropriate sources. To this end this Ethical Fundraising Policy has been created for use by University Jewish Chaplaincy.
Donor Rights
1. All fundraising solicitations by or on behalf of University Jewish Chaplaincy will disclose the Charities’s name and the purpose for which the funds are requested. Printed solicitations (however transmitted) will also include its address or other contact information.
2. Donors and prospective donors are entitled to the following, promptly upon request:
• The most recent annual report and financial statements of the University Jewish Chaplaincy;
• Confirmation of the charitable status of the University Jewish Chaplaincy;
• A copy of this Policy.
3. Donors and prospective donors are entitled to know, upon request, whether an individual soliciting funds on behalf of University Jewish Chaplaincy is a volunteer, an employee, or a consultant or freelance fundraiser working on behalf of the University Jewish Chaplaincy.
4. Donors will be encouraged in writing to seek independent advice if University Jewish Chaplaincy 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. It will remain the donor’s responsibility to consider such matters prior to making a gift.
5. Donors’ requests to remain anonymous will be respected as far as is legally, practically, and ethically possible.
6. The privacy of donors will be respected. Any donor records that are maintained by University Jewish Chaplaincy will be kept confidential to the greatest extent possible. Donors have the right to see their own donor record, and to challenge its accuracy.
7. Donors and prospective donors will be treated with respect. Every effort will be made to honor their requests to:
• Limit the frequency of solicitations;
• Not be solicited by telephone or other technology;
• Limit the amount or frequency of printed or online material concerning University Jewish Chaplaincy that they are sent. Donors or prospective donors who request no further contact will not be contacted for fundraising purposes.
8. Donors have the right to ask that their donations be allocated to a specific region of University Jewish Chaplaincy’s activity, and the charity will meet these requests, wherever possible and appropriate in order to deliver its mission.
9. University Jewish Chaplaincy will respond promptly to a complaint by a donor or prospective donor about any matter that is addressed in this ethics policy. A designated member of staff will attempt to satisfy the complainant’s concerns in the first instance. A complainant who remains dissatisfied may request in writing a review of their complaint by the Chief Executive Officer, and will be advised of the outcome of this review.
Fundraising Practices
1. Fundraising solicitations on behalf of the University Jewish Chaplaincy will:
• Be truthful;
• Accurately describe the charities activities and the intended use of donated funds; and
• Respect the dignity and privacy of those who benefit from University Jewish Chaplaincy’s activities.
2. Volunteers, employees and hired fundraisers who solicit or receive funds on behalf of University Jewish Chaplaincy shall:
• Adhere to the provisions of this Policy;
• 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 on request;
• Disclose immediately to the University any actual or apparent conflict of interest;
• Not accept donations for purposes that are inconsistent with University Jewish Chaplaincy’s objects or mission; and
• Ensure that no inappropriate benefit is secured by a donor in return for a gift.
3. Full time, salaried fundraisers, will be compensated by a salary, retainer, or fee, and will not be paid finders’ fees, commissions, or other payments based on either the number of gifts received or the value of funds raised.
4. University Jewish Chaplaincy will not sell or exchange personal details of donors.
5. University Jewish Chaplaincy will abide by all applicable laws and regulations relating to the acceptance, solicitation and use of donations.
6. University Jewish Chaplaincy will meet the provisions of the Bribery Act and other relevant legislation intended to protect against bribery in respect of donations.
7. Council 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 Policy.
Financial Accountability
1. University Jewish Chaplaincy’s financial affairs will be conducted in a responsible manner, consistent with the ethical obligations of stewardship and the legal requirements of national regulators.
2. All donations will be used to support the mission of University Jewish Chaplaincy.
3. All restricted donations will be used as agreed with the donor. If necessary due to programme or organisational changes, alternative uses will be discussed where possible with the donor or the donor’s legal designate(s). If the donor is deceased or legally incompetent, and the University is unable to contact a legal designate, the donation will be used in a manner that is as consistent as possible with the donor’s original intent.
4. An annual financial report produced by the Board of Trustees in accordance with generally accepting accounting principles and standards will:
• Disclose the total of donation income and expenditure;
• Be factual and accurate in all material respects.
5. The cost effectiveness of University Jewish Chaplaincy’s fundraising programme will be reviewed as part of an annual report to the board.
Acceptable Sources of Philanthropic Funding
1. University Jewish Chaplaincy accepts philanthropic funding from a variety of public and private sector sources willing to support it in accomplishing its mission.
2. University Jewish Chaplaincy will not accept philanthropic funding in cases where to do so would not be in the best interests of the charity i.e. might;
• Compromise its status as an independent organization;
• Create unacceptable conflicts of interest;
• Expose University Jewish Chaplaincy to undue adverse publicity or reputational risk;
• Cause any other damage, including financial damage, for example, deterring other donors to University Jewish Chaplaincy; or
• In any other way be in conflict with the values of the charity.
Prospect Research and Data Protection
1. University Jewish Chaplaincy will ensure it is in compliance with the Data Protection Act (1998) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003, and follows the advice given so that it does not obtain, process, store, sell or pass on data unlawfully.
2. When conducting prospect research, University Jewish Chaplaincy will:
• Have a clear understanding of what information is fair and relevant to the purpose it is being used for;
• Not use unethical methods to obtain prospect research information;
• Avoid personal prejudice and bias;
• Be honest and transparent with regard to their purpose and their identity when seeking information;
• Take into account the reliability of the sources of information used; and
• Ensure that research when presented is accurate, relevant to its purpose and timely.
3. University Jewish Chaplaincy will all times be aware of the sensitivity of information gathered and held on alumni, other individuals, and organisations. This will aid the University’s compliance with data protection legislation and ensure that information acquired via all channels, particularly information not in the public domain, is treated with the utmost respect.
4. When using external agencies or when data may be shared with a third party, for example mailing houses, University Jewish Chaplaincy will ensure that all issues, such as data ownership, fitness for use and confidentiality, are governed by a legally binding contract.