Fundraising Policy

This document provides a summary of the key elements of the Fundraising Policy and is intended to provide a helpful introduction to laws and policies that provide the framework for fundraising, as well as the more practical "do's and don'ts" of fundraising.

Our Fundraising Promise

•    Legal, open, honest, respectful, ethical in everything we do
•    Transparent about how donations are used
•    Clear about fundraising methods and partners
•    Respectful of donor wishes, privacy, and circumstances
•    Committed to the Fundraising Regulator’s Code

Governance & Accountability

•    Corporate Trustee oversees compliance
•    Charity Chief Officer & Head of Fundraising lead operations
•    All staff must follow policy and national guidance

Legal & Regulatory Framework

•    Charities Acts 2011 & 2022
•    GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018
•    Equality Act 2010
•    Gambling Act 2005
•    Bribery Act 2010
•    Fundraising Regulator Code of Practice 2025

Working With Donors

•    Treat donors fairly and inclusively
•    Adapt communication to donor needs
•    Extra safeguards for vulnerable people
•    Two staff present when receiving donations from vulnerable donors
•    Counting of cash donations on receipt by two people (unrelated)
•    Donations taken directly to a ward to be delivered to Cashiers as soon as possible.

What Counts as Fundraising?

•    In memoriam gifts
•    Legacies
•    Lottery income
•    Events & community fundraising
•    Corporate fundraising and sponsorship
•    Gifts in kind
•    Raffles & tombolas

Donation Refusal Criteria

We may decline support that:

•    Conflicts with our aims or values
•    Risks reputational harm
•    Comes from high risk sectors (tobacco, armaments, fossil fuels)
•    Is linked to illegal or unknown sources
•    Attempts to influence NHS contracts or treatment

Medium risk sectors (e.g., alcohol) require due diligence and must remain under 10% of annual donated income.

Processing Donations

•    All donations logged in the management system
•    Allocated to the correct fund
•    Acknowledged within 5 working days
•    Donor details recorded with consent

Lottery & Raffles

•    Operated under Gambling Commission licences
•    External lottery manager appointed
•    Safeguards for problem gambling
•    No credit card payments
•    Raffles/tombolas must follow licensing rules - The Raffle Pack is available for UHDB Staff holding         raffles over more than one day.

Staff & On Site Fundraising

•    Staff fundraising for DBHC requires approval
•    Trust premises cannot be used for other charities
•    There are a small number of Partner charities supported, and support is given to Major national              fundraising events (e.g. Comic Relief, Poppy Appeal, Children in Need)
•    All fundraisers must check in as visitors

Please contact the Fundraising Team via email for further advice or if you have any questions uhdb.charityfundraising@nhs.net

We are here to help and support you with your fundraising.