Donations

Version 1.0 | This Policy was approved on DD MMMM YYYY.

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Introduction

Definitions

This document employs terms related to the DCDR Advocacy that can be found in the TIOF terminology.

For a structure of The IO Foundation, please visit

About this document

This document, hereinafter the Policy, sets out the position maintained by TIOF in matters of Whistleblowing that you will need to be aware of while being a TIOF Member. You should familiarize yourself with it and comply with it at all times. Any questions you may have with regard to its contents or what you have to do to comply with it should be referred to your corresponding Team Human Resources Manager.

This Policy sets out TIOF's approach to the necessary arrangements for sick pay and for reporting and managing sickness absence.

Any Member who breaches this Policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for gross misconduct. In particular, failure to protect a whistleblower or interfere with any such related ongoing investigation will be treated as misconduct under our Disciplinary Procedures. Any non-employee who breaches this Policy may have their contract (or equivalent official relationship with TIOF) terminated with immediate effect.

This document complements TIOF's Code of Conduct.

This document does not form part of any Engagement Document and we may amend it at any time following the procedures described in TIOF's Statute.

Scope

This document directly applies to:

This document indirectly applies to:

The policies set out in this document apply to all TIOF Members unless otherwise indicated. They therefore apply to Members of the Boards (Directors, Advisers, Consultants), Employees, Volunteers and Interns; this is irrespective of their engagement type. They equally apply to all Contributors and will be used as part of the selection criteria when engaging with them.

This Policy applies within all TIOF Spaces, including (although not limited to) management activities, contributions or events; it and also applies when an individual is officially representing the organization in public spaces. Examples of representing the organization include (although not limited to) using an official e-mail address, posting via any official channel or acting as an appointed representative at an event.

Review and Amendments This policy shall be reviewed regularly to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness. Amendments may be made to adapt to new legal requirements, changing circumstances or to better serve the organization's Mission.

Policy details

Donations statement

1. Purpose and Scope

This Donations Policy complements the Resource Mobilization and Allocation Policy by outlining the principles, processes, and guidelines governing the solicitation, acceptance, and management of donations for [NGO Name]. It ensures that donations align with the organization’s mission, respect its independence, and comply with legal and ethical standards. This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, and partners involved in fundraising and donation management.

2. General Principles

[NGO Name] accepts donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other entities, provided the donation:

  • Maintains the Organization’s Independence: Donations will not be accepted if they come with conditions that could influence or compromise the organization’s mission, decision-making processes, policies, or operational autonomy.

  • No Strings Attached: Donors may suggest areas of focus, but [NGO Name] retains full control over how the donations are used unless the donation is categorized as restricted. Donations will not dictate the organization’s research, activities, or advocacy positions.

  • Transparency and Integrity: [NGO Name] is committed to ensuring transparency in all its dealings with donors. All accepted donations will be managed with integrity, recorded accurately, and acknowledged according to the organization’s standards.

  • Compliance with Legal Standards: Donations will only be accepted if they comply with relevant laws, including our Economic Sanctions Policy, and do not involve illegal, unethical, or questionable sources of funding.

3. Types of Donations

Donations to [NGO Name] fall under two main categories:

a. Unrestricted Donations

Unrestricted donations provide the organization with maximum flexibility, allowing funds to be used at the organization’s discretion for any purpose that supports its mission. These donations are invaluable for operational sustainability and ongoing programs.

  • Use of Unrestricted Donations: Unrestricted donations are allocated according to the organization’s annual budget, ensuring they are directed to areas of greatest need, including core operations, new initiatives, and unforeseen challenges.

b. Restricted Donations

Restricted donations are those provided by a donor with specific instructions on how the funds should be used, such as for a particular project, program, or geographic area. The organization accepts restricted donations only if the specified purpose aligns with its mission and priorities.

  • Use of Restricted Donations: Restricted donations are allocated solely for the designated purpose as outlined by the donor. The organization ensures strict adherence to the donor’s instructions, with regular monitoring to ensure compliance.

4. Acceptance Criteria

[NGO Name] exercises caution when accepting donations to ensure that they do not:

  • Compromise the organization’s ability to make independent decisions or operate freely.

  • Contravene legal or regulatory requirements, including economic sanctions.

  • Involve entities or individuals with conflicting interests or those associated with illegal or unethical activities.

Donor Vetting: Before accepting any significant donations, the organization conducts due diligence to assess the donor’s background, ensuring the source of funds is lawful and ethical. Donations from anonymous sources will be subject to additional scrutiny to prevent potential conflicts with legal standards or organizational values.

Right to Decline Donations: [NGO Name] reserves the right to decline any donation that does not meet its criteria for ethical funding or could harm its reputation, mission, or operations.

5. Donor Recognition

[NGO Name] acknowledges and thanks its donors in a transparent manner. Donor recognition can take the form of public acknowledgment on the website, in reports, or during events, unless the donor requests anonymity. However, accepting a donation does not imply an endorsement of the donor’s views or activities, nor will donor recognition grant influence over the organization’s policies or operations.

6. Use and Allocation of Donations

The use and allocation of donations are managed based on the type of donation:

  • Unrestricted Donations: Allocated within the framework of the organization’s annual budget and strategic priorities. These funds are essential for day-to-day operations, general support, and organizational growth.

  • Restricted Donations: Allocated strictly according to the donor’s specified purpose, with adherence to donor agreements and reporting requirements.

The finance department ensures proper allocation and tracking of all donations, and regular financial reports are produced to ensure accountability.

7. Monitoring, Reporting, and Accountability

Monitoring and Compliance: The organization carefully monitors the use of all donations, ensuring that restricted donations are used as intended and unrestricted donations support organizational needs. Regular audits and reviews are conducted to verify compliance with this policy.

Donor Reporting: For restricted donations, [NGO Name] provides periodic reports to donors, detailing the use of funds and the impact achieved. These reports include financial data and project updates, ensuring transparency and accountability to the donor.

Financial Oversight: The organization maintains clear and accurate financial records for all donations. The finance team tracks all contributions, ensuring that resources are managed effectively and in compliance with donor agreements and legal requirements.

8. Review and Amendments

######Donation Anything that is not human-related In particular - Objects (In kind) - Monetary instruments - - Fiat - - Crypto Therefore we consider time given (voluntarism) as NOT a donation although for financial calculations it may be accounted for. - What are the Tiers to be used? Tier 1 from 0 to 4999 Tier 2 from 5000 to above TIERS DEPENDENT ON APPLICABLE REGULATION PER JURISIDICTION PER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT Ex Fiat Tiers > Check AMLA Crypto? Crypto: Valuation based on the value of the coin vs EUR on the day of the donation. Further fluctuations on the price shall not be considered. https://coinmarketcap.com/ Reference >> Use Portfolio to record transactions.

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