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Ethical policy

ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR FUNDRAISING

A: Fundraising practices

1. The Trustees of the Trust will be responsible for agreeing the fundraising strategy for the Trust.

2. All fundraising for the Trust will be undertaken by the Development & OEA Office, King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, B15 2UA or representatives and volunteers working on behalf of this office.

3 All fundraising undertaken by the Development & OEA Office shall be monitored and reviewed by the Development Committee who will report to the Trustees in accordance with its written terms of reference.

4. The Trustees will allow the Development & OEA Office to actively seek funding for a particular project provided that it:

  • Is fully-costed (including all additional staff and running costs)
  • Is approved by the Chief Master and the Development Committee as being strategically important in improving the provision of education at the school
  • Fits with the Trust's charitable objects, namely: "The advancement of education by supporting the provision of education at King Edward's School, Birmingham (the "school") in such ways as the Trustees see fit, in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) by providing funds to support the provision of bursaries to boys on the basis of financial need to enable them to attend the school
  • Involves no or minimal net cost to the Trust in terms of financial commitment at the end of the period covered by the gift.

 5. Fundraising solicitations on behalf of the Trust will:

  • Be truthful;
  • Accurately describe the intended use of donated funds;
  • Be made in accordance with any applicable requirements under Part II of the Charities Act 1992 and The Charitable Institutions (Fundraising) Regulations 1994

6. Volunteers and employees who solicit or receive funds on behalf of the Trust shall:

  • Adhere to the provisions of these guidelines;
  • 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. which might also apply to them as individuals;
  • Cease solicitation of a prospective donor who identifies solicitation as harassment or undue pressure;
  • Disclose immediately to the Trustees any actual or apparent conflict of interest;
  • Not accept donations for purposes that are inconsistent with the Trust's charitable objects as set out above.

7. Paid fundraisers, whether staff or consultants, 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.  Compensation policies for fundraisers, including performance-based compensation practices (such as salary increases or bonuses) will be consistent with the school's policies and practices that apply to non-fundraising personnel.

8. The Trust will not sell either its donor or alumni lists.

9. The Trustees 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 these guidelines.

B: Acceptance of gifts

The following principles should be considered for all gifts which may, in the opinion of the Trustees, have a controversial dimension, but which should in any case be considered in the case of all gifts that may amount to over £1 million in total value:

1. Does the potential gift fit with the Trust's charitable objects as set out above?

2. Is there published or other credible evidence that the proposed gift will be made from a source that arises in whole or in part from an activity that:

a. Evaded taxation or involved fraud?
b. Violated international conventions that bear on human rights?
c. Involved any illegal activity?

3. Is there evidence that the proposed benefaction, or any of its terms will:

a. Require action that is illegal?
b. Seriously damage the reputation of the Trust or the school?
c. Create unacceptable conflicts of interest?
d. Harm the Trust or school's relationships with stakeholders (e.g. donors, parents, staff, boys).

In the case of potential gifts which may conflict with any or all of the above principles, it is the responsibility of the Development Director, at an early stage in discussions and certainly before an ‘ask' has been made, to alert the Trustees.  The Trustees will then decide whether or not further discussion should be pursued with the potential benefactor.

C: Rights of donors

1. All fundraising solicitations will be undertaken by the Development & OEA Office, King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, B15 2UA or appointed representatives of this office.  Printed solicitations (however transmitted) will include the address or other contact information for this office.

2. All fundraising solicitations will disclose the Trust's name and the purpose for which the funds are requested.

3. Donors and prospective donors are entitled to the following, promptly upon request:

  • The Trust's most recent annual report and financial statements;
  • Confirmation of the charitable status of the Trust;
  • A copy of this ethics code

4. Donors and prospective donors are entitled to know, upon request, whether an individual soliciting funds on behalf of the Trust is a volunteer or an employee.

5. Donors will be encouraged to seek independent advice if the Trust 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 the Development & OEA Office on behalf of the Trust will be kept confidential and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.  Donors have the right to see their own donor record, and to challenge its accuracy.

8. 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 or other technology;
  • Receive printed material concerning the Trust.

9. The Trust 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 the Development & OEA Office 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 the Trustees and will be advised of the outcome of the appeal.

D: Financial accountability policy

1. The Trust'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 charitable objects of the Trust.

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, any proposed alternative uses will be discussed where possible with the donor or the donor's legal representative.

4. Annual financial reports will be factual and accurate in all material respects and will:

  • Disclose the total amount of fundraising revenues;
  • Disclose the total amount of fundraising expenses;
  • Identify government grants and contributions separately from other donations;
  • Be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and standards.

5. The cost effectiveness of the Trust's fundraising programme, undertaken by the Development & OEA Office, will be subject to periodic review by the Development Committee in accordance with its written terms of reference.