Donation Return Policy
In accordance with section L7.0 (Acceptance and Refusal of Donations) of the Institute of Fundraising’s Code of Fundraising, United Through Sport commits to using donations for general charitable purposes, even in the event that an appeal fails, or an event related to an appeal does not take place, in order to protect the best interests of the charity.
Definitions:
• The Donor – the individual who is making the donation, financial or otherwise, to United Through Sport
• The Fundraiser – the individual who is raising funds in aid of United Through Sport and requesting donations, either through events or personal requests, as a form of sponsorship towards a pledged fundraising amount.
• An Appeal – United Through Sport classes the below as an “appeal”:
– Emergency Appeals
– Sponsored Challenge Events
– Crowdfunding
– Sponsored volunteer / intern opportunities
– Any other occurrence where an appeal for a particular purpose fails to raise sufficient funds to meet the stated target income or the event for which the funds were intended does not take place.
1. Donations will be used to further United Through Sport’s charitable objectives. The Charity’s objectives are to promote such charitable purposes as the Executive Committee determines for the benefit of young people and families primarily living in developing countries and in particular, but without limiting the foregoing, to relieve the poverty and sickness, advance the education, and protect the good health of such persons. United Through Sport values every single donation and it is because of this generosity that United Through Sport is able to continue to help vulnerable children all over the world.
2. If a donation is made to support United Through Sport and the donation is not made to an appeal and/or there is no legal obligation for the charity to return a donation, the Trustees must determine whether there is a moral obligation for the charity to return the donation.
3. If a donation has been made to an appeal, and the appeal has failed, and the appeal literature makes it clear that in such circumstances funds will be used for the charity’s general purposes; the donor will not generally be entitled to a refund.
4. If the appeal literature has not specified this, the donor has the right to make a specific written request to reclaim their donation as specified in Section 65 of the Charities Act 2011. In this event, the request will be passed on to the Trustees who must then take certain steps to contact the donors who have made declarations.
5. If the appeal relates to a Sponsored Challenge Event and the donor requesting the return is not the fundraiser, United Through Sport is required to inform the fundraiser of the request for return of donations.
6. If the donation made by a donor is the result of a fundraising event where multiple individuals have contributed to the total donation (e.g. a bake sale), a return of donation cannot be considered unless applications from each individual donor are received.
7. If a donor wishes to apply for a donation return, they must write to the Trustees by email or letter outlining:
a) Their name and contact details
b) The date of donation(s)
c) The total donation(s) amount
d) Details of the origin of the donation – direct donation/fundraising from a community event
e) The reason(s) for requesting a return of donation
f) The name of the fundraiser who the donation was made towards (if applicable)
g) Acknowledgment that processing fees will be deducted from their donation to avoid financial harm to the charity
h) Details of bank account that they would like the donation to be returned to
i) Accompanying proof of identification e.g. copy of passport or drivers license
8. If the Trustees decide that there is a moral case for the charity to return the donation, they must apply to the Charities Commission to make an ex gratia payment. This application will then be submitted to the Charities Commission and they will inform the donor of the decision and take appropriate action.
9. If a donation return request is successful, the return can only be made to the individual who made the donation. In the event of a successful request for a return of donation outlined in Clause 6, a return of the equivalent value to the original donor will only be made to the original donor (minus admin fees incurred).
10. The Charity will not return the donation to any account other than one registered with the donor. If you have any questions, concerns, requests, or comments about privacy, you can contact United Through Sport by email, telephone, or mail.
