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Congresbury Community Transport |
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Registered Charity No: 1094856 |
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Last updated 3 December 2006 |
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Fund Raising Policy The Board of Trustees recognises that as a charity an important source of finance has been, and will continue to be, through gifts from individuals, groups and supporting organisations. In addition the Board recognises the importance of its active involvement in fund-raising through organising appeals, lotteries, activities, and events. The Board of Trustees further recognises that in choosing a method of fund-raising it needs to be alert and sensitive to public opinion and criticism. The Board of Trustees must ensure that fund-raising methods meet with general approval and do not damage its good reputation, nor reduce public confidence in Congresbury Community Transport.
Individual Donations: Individual donors of more than £10, who are income tax payers, will be encouraged to sign “gift aid” forms so that the donation is increased by the proportion of income tax.
Supporting Organisation: User groups and supporting organisations while encouraged to organise fund-raising activities, must not be made to feel obligated to do this.
Appeals: When involved in a fund-raising appeal, the Board of Trustees should ensure that the purpose of the appeal is clearly stated. Where the appeal is for general funds, it is important that any specific example of the use of funds does not mislead donors into thinking that donations will only be used for that specific purpose. When the fund-raising appeal is for a specific item or project, it is important that documentation states how unspent donations will be used. This will enable the trustees to deal with not only donations that exceed the appeal target, but when the appeal fails to reach the required amount. Where possible an end date should be set for specific fund-raising appeals.
Collections: Fund-raising in streets and public places, through requesting donations or the sale of goods, usually requires a permit or licence from the Local Authority, this includes all house-to-house and public house collections. North Somerset Council should be contacted for guidance well in advance. Fund-raising on all private property requires the permission of the owners.
Lotteries: The law recognises two types of lottery, small lotteries and society lotteries. Each has its own specific regulations under the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976, as amended by the National Lotteries etc. Act 1993. (Charity Commission booklet CC20 gives details)
Employment of Professional and Commercial Fund-Raisers: CCT may decide to employ a professional fund-raiser or enter into a promotion with a commercial organisation. Such matters come under the provision of Part II of the Charities Act 1992 and The Charitable Institutions (Fund-Raising) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/3024).
Use of Assets for Fund-Raising Events: A charity’s assets must always be used with great care and should not be used to fund events where there is a risk of substantial loss. In practice it is recommended by the Charity Commission that the projected turnover of any event should be no more than 25% of annual income.
Fund-Raising and Tax: There are special rules concerning charities and tax exemption. Since April 2000 charities do not have to deal separately with the Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise. If an event meets the criteria for VAT exemption, then it will automatically qualify for exemption from Income Tax and Corporation Tax. A list of events having exemption is given in CC20, page 19. The National Advice Service of Customs & Excise (0845 010 9000) should be contacted in advance to confirm exemption.
Fund-Raising Co-ordinator: Every member of the Board of Trustees is individually responsible in law for the actions and activities carried out in the name of Congresbury Community Transport. Nonetheless it is good practice for a specific Trustee to co-ordinate all aspects of fund-raising by CCT, who will then make regular reports to the Board of Trustees.
Support: Part of the service provided by the Charity Commission to registered charities such as CCT, is the provision of advice. The Commission will not give specific advice over points of Tax Law, however Avon and Bristol Law Centre (0117 924 8662) is developing advice services to community groups as well as providing information packs and training.
The Charity Commission’s guidance booklet CC20 “Charities and Fund-raising” published in July 2002 is an important source for guidance.
Date of Adoption by the Board……………………..…5/11/03
Signature of Chairman of the Board…………….Angela Jones
Dates of Review and Amendment Adoptions by Board 10/11/04, 6/12/05, 28/11/06
Date for Next Review of Amended Policy…………… November 2007 |
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