1. Purpose and scope
The purpose of this Ethical Fundraising & Sponsorship Policy is to set out how the HEADTURNED Foundation (the Foundation) approaches donations, grants, sponsorships, and partnerships in a way that is lawful, transparent, and aligned with our mission and values.
This policy applies to all fundraising activities led or commissioned by the Foundation, whether online or offline.
2. Principles
We aim to ensure that fundraising is:
- Legal, honest, and transparent.
- Respectful of supporters and potential supporters.
- Consistent with our purpose and with the welfare of animals, people, and the environment.
- Managed in a way that avoids undue influence or conflicts of interest.
3. Accepting or declining support
We are grateful for all offers of support, but we may decline donations or sponsorships where accepting them would be inconsistent with our mission, values, or legal responsibilities.
Decisions to decline or return support may take into account factors such as:
- The source of funds and whether there is a clear risk of association with activities that conflict with our charitable aims (for example, serious environmental harm or animal cruelty).
- Whether the support could compromise, or reasonably be seen to compromise, our independence or decision-making.
- Legal or regulatory restrictions on receiving funds from certain sources.
4. Sponsorships and partnerships
Sponsorships and partnerships may involve mutual benefits, such as visibility for a company in return for financial or in-kind support. Such arrangements should:
- Be documented in a clear written agreement.
- Reflect a fair balance of benefits and responsibilities for both parties.
- Avoid any requirement for the Foundation to promote products, services, or practices that conflict with our mission or values.
Sponsorships may be subject to additional review under our Conflicts of Interest & Decision-Making Policy.
5. Communication with donors and supporters
We aim to communicate with donors and supporters in a way that is accurate, respectful, and does not place undue pressure on anyone to give.
- We will describe how donations may be used in clear and honest terms.
- Where donations are restricted to particular projects or areas of work, we will respect those restrictions as far as reasonably possible.
- We will respond to requests to change how people hear from us in line with our Data Protection & Information Governance Policy.
6. Use of funds
Funds received by the Foundation will be applied to further our charitable aims and to sustain the work of the Foundation and its projects. Where donors direct contributions to particular themes or projects, we will endeavour to honour those wishes while retaining overall discretion to use funds where they are most needed if circumstances change.
7. Fundraising methods
The Foundation may use a variety of fundraising methods, including digital campaigns, events, grant applications, and partnerships. In all cases, we aim to ensure that methods are:
- Compliant with relevant laws and regulations.
- Respectful of people's time, preferences, and privacy.
- Transparent about who is fundraising and for what purpose.
8. Third-party fundraisers
Where individuals or organisations fundraise for the Foundation in a third-party capacity, we may provide guidance or branded materials. Such fundraisers are expected to act in a way that is consistent with this policy and with relevant laws in their jurisdiction.
9. Complaints and concerns
Concerns or complaints about fundraising practices can be raised using the routes described in our Complaints & Feedback Policy. Serious concerns can also be raised under our Whistleblowing & Serious Concerns Policy.
10. Review and updates
This policy will be reviewed periodically and updated where necessary in light of the Foundation's activities or changes in law and best practice.
The version published on the HEADTURNED Foundation website is the version currently in force.