Donations and partnerships policy
By conducting a due diligence or “know your donor” review, we can identify where there is possible conflict in vision, conflict in interest or other material risk factors associated with the partner, and subsequently we can appraise the appropriateness of pursuing the opportunity.
It’s important when we carry out due diligence that we do so in the fair and consistent manner outlined in this policy. It is improbable with the scale of our ambition that we will build a portfolio of partners and donors with a perfect track record, and subsequently the exercise of due diligence can become highly emotive and subjective if not carried out fairly with rigor. It is the art of identifying our risk tolerance, and then balancing that risk with reward
Every financial opportunity should be judged on its individual merit. The trustees of Cycling UK (or their delegates), ultimately have the responsibility to decide based on the evidence available to them whether there are grounds to refuse a donation or decline a partnership or sale. In doing so they must be able to demonstrate that they have acted in the best interests of the charity in line with this policy, irrespective of any individual or collective personal interest or bias.
As outlined by the Institute of Fundraising, Trustees of any charity can only refuse a donation on the basis of the following guidance:
“Donations to charities should only be rejected in exceptional circumstances, when:
• It would be unlawful to accept it (e.g. the organisation knows that the gift comprises the proceeds of crime); or
• Accepting the donation would be detrimental to the achievement of the purposes of the organisation, as set out in its constitution. This anticipated detriment must be set against the benefit of having the funds from the donor, which would enable the organisation to pursue its purposes
Many organisations approach this matter on the basis that acceptance of the donation would be contrary to the organisation’s ethics and values. Although ethics and values will be important in reaching the decision, these cannot be the decisive factors. Cycling UK needs to be able to demonstrate that acceptance of the donation would be detrimental to the achievement of its purposes. For example, it may be evident that the acceptance of a donation would most likely lead to:
• The loss of donations from other supporters or funders at least equivalent, over the long term, to the value of the donation
• The loss of volunteers whose services would be at least of as great value as the donation
• The loss of staff or inability to recruit staff.”
Funding relationships
At Cycling UK we take these principles very seriously and adopt them across all funding relationships we might form.
Cycling UK will refuse a partnership on the basis of the following:
- The funding is known to come from an illegal source; or
- Forming a partnership (financial or otherwise) would be detrimental to the achievement of the purposes of the charity, as set out in its constitution. This anticipated detriment must be set against the benefit of having the partnership, which would enable the organisation to pursue its purposes.
Cycling UK will refuse a sale on the basis of the following:
- The funding is known to come from an illegal source; or
- There is doubt the accuracy or adequacy of documents or information previously obtained as part of the due diligence process.
Detrimental to pursuing our charitable purpose
When identifying what would be detrimental to the charity pursuing its purposes, we have defined this as activities which directly contravene our charitable objects
1. Unhealthy recreation
Cycling UK will not partner with any organisation or individuals, that promotes illegal drug or substance use, adult entertainment, tobacco (and alike e.g. CBD) use, excessive alcohol consumption or excessive fast-food.
For the avoidance of doubt this statement pertains to significant benefit, so for example a supermarket selling alcohol as part of its product lines would not necessarily on this basis be excluded as a partner prospect.
2. Dangers to cycling/absolving all but cyclists from cycle safety responsibility
Cycling UK will not partner with any organisation that brings about danger to cyclists or promotes absolving all but cyclists from cycle safety responsibility. It will not partner with an organisation on campaigns in any way that places the burden of cycle safety on cyclists or absolves responsibility of cycle safety from other road users and relevant authorities.
If it is the primary purpose of the organisation to act in any way described above then we would not partner with the organisation at all. If other organisations engage in campaigns absolving all but cyclists from cycle safety responsibility we would not partner on the campaign. Whether we would partner with the organisation otherwise would be subject to all the other checks and balances in this process and include any campaigns as additional information when making a decision.
3. Reducing cycling capabilities
Cycling UK will not partner with organisations that actively dissuades or discourages people from cycling. Where bike is best, we will not advocate for other forms of transport and will respect individuals right to choose.
4. Destruction of our natural resources
Cycling UK will not partner with organisations who extract, produce and or exploit the production of fossil fuels This includes organisations who have significantly benefitted from investment financially or otherwise in the sector (or individuals who meet the criteria for a donation to be declined). Cycling UK will also not partner with organisations on campaigns that could be perceived as an active display by a company to “offset” their scope 1 or 2 emissions by partnering with Cycling UK.
