Fundraising Ethics

INTRODUCTION

Donors to all causes sometimes worry about whether charities are ethical in the way they raise money. For Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, in keeping with our values, our work will be legal, open, honest and respectful.

Blesma DO

•  Regularly review the ethics of our fundraising methods
•  Ensure all requests for funds are truthful and accurately describe the charity's work and the intended uses and destinations of the donation
•  Ensure donations are used to support the published purposes of the charity and in line with the purpose for which they are solicited
•  Keep spending on fundraising and administration as low as is cost-effective for sustainable and accountable operations
•  Comply with the highest legal, accounting and ethical standards and be fully transparent
•  Member charities will regularly report on their financial activities publishing all accounts, with notes annually on our website
•  Make clear the percentage of income spent on raising funds
•  Make clear the percentage of income spent on administration
•  Ensure all requests for funds respect the dignity and privacy of those who may benefit from the donation and the dignity and privacy of potential donors
•  Disclose any conflicts of interest that may arise whilst fundraising

Blesma DOES NOT

•  Exaggerate facts relating to the potential beneficiary
•  Encourage unrealistic expectations of what a gift will achieve
•  Be over-persistent or place undue pressure on donors when fundraising
•  Denigrate other individuals or organisations
•  Claim activity that another charity has done or contributed to without acknowledgement
•  Sell lists of donors
•  Exploit the naivety, lack of knowledge, apparent need for support or vulnerable circumstance of any donor at any time
•  Accept donations from a source that is said to be ethically dubious, or whose behaviour is inconsistent with the aims of the charity