Fundraising policy

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines which ensure that all fundraising activities by Independent Lives are conducted in a responsible and ethical manner.

Scope

Independent Lives is a registered charity with a trading arm, Independent Lives (Trading) Ltd. The following policy applies to the whole organisation, including all staff, volunteers, trustees those fundraising on behalf of Independent Lives.

Policy statement

Independent Lives is a member of the Fundraising Regulator and as such is committed to the code of fundraising practice. In accordance with the code of fundraising practice, all fundraising and activities related to fundraising conducted by Independent Lives will adhere to the following four principles:

• Legal: All fundraising must meet the requirements of the law.
• Open: Independent Lives will be open with the public about our processes and will cooperate if we are asked for further information.
• Honest: Independent Lives will act with integrity and will not mislead the public about our reasons for fundraising or the way that a donation will be used.
• Respectful: Independent Lives will demonstrate respect whenever we have contact with any member of the public.

We will be honest about how donations are used to fulfil our mission, open about the methods we use to raise funds and who we work with, respectful to the wishes, preferences, personal information and circumstances of the people we interact with, and we will take all steps necessary to comply with the law and sector fundraising practice standards.

• We will take responsibility for our actions, ensuring that our fundraising is carried out in line with the Code of Fundraising Practice.
• Nobody directly or indirectly employed by or volunteering for Independent Lives shall accept commissions or bonuses for fundraising activities on behalf of Independent Lives.
• No general solicitations from the public shall be undertaken by telephone or door-to-door to the public.
• If our fundraiser, those employed by Independent Lives or contracted to fundraise on our behalf, identify signs of vulnerability, they will respond appropriately and according to the principles of being legal, open, honest and respectful.
• We will always be respectful. This means being mindful of and sensitive to any particular need that a donor may have. It also means striving to respect the wishes and preferences of the donor.
• We will treat donors fairly. We will not discriminate against any group or individual.
• We will respond appropriately to the individual needs of our donors. We will consider all requests to adapt our approach (tone, language, communication technique) to suit the needs and requirements of the donor.