Safeguarding the future conference - Canberra, 23-24 May 2024

Donations and Fundraising Policy

Purpose of this policy

This policy provides guidance on donations, fundraising, and sponsorship activities.

Donations, fundraising and sponsorship form an important role in Imagine More Ltd fulfilling its purpose and goals. This policy outlines the Imagine More Ltd requirements for the effective and ethical acceptance and management of donations and the conduct of fundraising and sponsorship activities.

Overview

Imagine More Ltd welcomes financial donations from its staff, individuals, governments and agencies, the business community and other organisations which support its Mission. Donations may be used to support any endeavour consistent with the mission and goals of Imagine More Ltd including bursaries at training events for people with a disability and families, resource production and sharing, prizes, research, staff positions and/or to acquire equipment or goods. The funds may be expended completely or maintained as an endowment. Imagine More Ltd is registered as a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI), a Tax Concession Charity (TCC), and Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).

Definitions

Donation

A voluntary contribution or gift, whether in cash or kind. Donations will have the following characteristics:

  • There is a payment of money or a transfer of a gift;
  • The payment or transfer is made voluntarily;
  • The payment or transfer arises by way of benefaction (through a will or an estate)
  • No material benefit or advantage is received by the donor.

Donor

Any person or organisation making a donation to Imagine More Ltd.

Endowment

A donation made with the intention that funds are invested to ensure ongoing support for beneficiaries from the investment earnings.

Fundraising Activity

All activities which are undertaken by or on behalf of Imagine More Ltd with the aim of soliciting or receiving donations.

Grant

The provision of financial assistance from a grant-making entity (such as a charitable foundation) to Imagine More Ltd. Grants may be treated as donations if the grant does not involve the return of any material benefit to the grantmaker.

Pledge

A documented commitment to make a donation within a specified period of time.

Prospect

A prospective donor, ie. an individual or organisation with both the financial capacity and the likely inclination to support Imagine More Ltd via a major donation

Recognition

Actions taken by Imagine More Ltd to recognise the generosity of donors, individually or collectively.

Sponsorship

A transfer of money or goods to Imagine More Ltd in a transaction where the sponsor receives certain specified material benefits in return.

Tied donations

Any donation given and received for a specified purpose that cannot normally be used for any other purpose without the donor’s approval. For example, to specifically fund a project, the purchase of equipment. Tied donations may have an end date.

Untied donations

Any donation given and received for no specified purpose that can be used at the discretion of Imagine More Ltd

Policy

All donations in cash or kind are made to Imagine More Ltd with the intention of supporting its mission and goals.

Imagine More Ltd only accepts donations where they are ethical in nature and those that are consistent with the mission, values and policies of the Imagine More Ltd. It is our policy not to accept donations from organisations that have a bad record on social, financial and environmental conduct or whose operations impact negatively on people who are vulnerable or at risk. Companies and organisations specifically excluded from making financial contributions to Imagine More Ltd include pharmaceutical/gambling/tobacco/alcohol companies or if the acceptance of donations will have a detrimental impact on the reputation of Imagine More Ltd

Imagine More Ltd reserves the right to refuse an offered donation.

The solicitation of donated funds for Imagine More Ltd must be for the purposes of Imagine More Ltd generally or for specified projects

Any communications to the public made in the course of carrying out a fundraising activity shall be conscionable, truthful and non-deceptive.

All personal information collected by Imagine More Ltd is confidential and is not for sale or to be given away or disclosed to any third party without consent.

No member of Imagine More Ltd may make formal approaches for fundraising purposes unless coordinated with, and approved through, the board of management which must approve all fundraising activities including appeals, events, and private requests.

Employees must seek advice from the Business Manager or CEO with regard to the potential impact on Imagine More Ltd prior to accepting any in-kind donation.

Nobody directly or indirectly employed by or volunteering for Imagine More Ltd shall accept commissions, bonuses or payments for fundraising activities on behalf of the organisation.

No general solicitations shall be undertaken by telephone, door-to-door or other solicited means.

A Fundraising Sub-Committee may be formed to carry out major fundraising tasks. The Sub-Committee will report regularly to the Board of Management including tabling of meeting minutes at Board meetings.

A statement estimating income and expenses will be prepared prior to the commencement of any new fundraising activity that may present a financial risk to Imagine More Ltd. Fundraising activities should not be undertaken if they will expose the organisation to significant financial risk.

A report on fundraising will be prepared by a representative of the fundraising subcommittee for inclusion in Imagine More Ltd annual report.

No person representing Imagine More Ltd is to engage in speculation about the taxation implications or legal status of donations with respect to the potential impact on the donor. Donors should seek their own independent advice about these matters

Scope of the policy

This policy applies to the Board, Staff and organisations and individuals wishing to donate to Imagine More Ltd.

Relevant Documentation

This policy is primarily based on the document ‘A guide to the Australian Consumer Law’. (2017)

Last Date of Review

This policy was most recently updated on 25 September 2020.