Vision

For all people to transcend the injustice, indignity, and inequality of entrenched poverty.

Mission

To empower changemakers to break the cycle of poverty.

1.  Introduction

Action on Poverty (AOP) is an independent, secular, not for profit, non-governmental organisation (NGO). Founded in Australia in 1968, AOP was incorporated in the state of New South Wales in 1983.

AOP works with partners and communities in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. AOP is committed to supporting work that is of the highest standard, and in doing so, holds full accreditation with the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). AOP is a signatory to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct which requires high standards of corporate governance, public accountability and financial management to be in place.

2.  Purpose

The Fundraising Policy guides AOP’s fundraising practices and ensures we work with honesty, integrity, and accountability to our donors and partners. The Policy also ensures fundraising practice is in line with those of the Australian Government and governing bodies including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), and the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA).

The Fundraising Policy should be applied in conjunction with relevant laws and regulations in each Australian state/territory.

3.  Scope

This policy applies to:

  • AOP staff and board members
  • Partner organisations fundraising under AOP’s licences
  • Individual or community fundraisers operating under AOP’s licences
  • Contractors
  • Volunteers and interns

4.  Definitions

Fundraising refers to:

  • Activities undertaken to obtain financial support for AOP’s work
  • Activities undertaken to obtain goods or in-kind support for AOP
  • Engagement with for-profit enterprises, including workplace giving and corporate gifts
  • Community fundraising
  • Events
  • Retail activities Donors refers to:
  • Those who give financial support to AOP
  • Community fundraisers
  • Corporate partners
  • Trusts/foundations
  • Resource partners Beneficiary refers to:
  • People or communities participating in development projects abroad

5.  Fundraising Principles

We promise our donors that we will:

  • Deal truthfully, honestly and transparently at all times
  • Maximise the impact of donor contributions
  • Respect the rights of our donors
  • Provide donors with accurate and timely updates on how their gifts are used
  • Act in the best interests of the communities we serve and respect their wishes

AOP strives to operate in line with the public’s expectations in regards to fundraising, privacy and communications/marketing. AOP also ensures that any professional fundraising agencies maintain the standards outlined in this Policy when fundraising on AOP’s behalf.

5.1  Compliance & Regulation

AOP is committed to complying with the following fundraising laws, regulations, and guidelines:

  • State/territory laws and regulations
  • Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct
  • Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA) Code

5.2  Respect for Donors

AOP is committed to treating its donors with respect and complying with their wishes in relation to their giving and communications preferences. AOP will:

  • Respect donors’ wishes not to make a donation
  • Give donors the chance to opt out of communications
  • Comply with donors’ communication preferences, including when and how to be contacted
  • Comply with donors’ wishes in relation to the type or frequency of donation requests
  • Comply with donors’ requests for information regarding:
    • AOP’s mission, values and objectives
    • Program and administration costs
    • How donations are used
  • Ensure donors’ information is secure and their privacy protected
  • Encourage donors to seek independent financial advice before leaving a bequest, major gift, or any gift that might adversely impact their financial situation
  • Not seek donations from people AOP knows are in financial difficulty
  • Maintain professional relationships with donors

5.3  Fundraising Communications

AOP is committed to ensuring that its communications, including its website and fundraising letters, are truthful. AOP will:

  • Accurately portray the context, challenges and possible solutions in the communities where AOP and its partners are working
  • Avoid omissions, exaggerations, and misleading portrayals of the need or of what a donation can achieve
  • Include AOP’s name, address, ABN, ACNC status and contact details on fundraising collateral
  • Provide examples of how donations will be used
  • Depict beneficiaries in a respectful and dignified manner
  • Gain written or verbal consent from beneficiaries prior to gathering/publishing material to be used for fundraising purposes
  • Protect the privacy of beneficiaries, especially children

5.4  Gift Management

AOP will:

  • Strive to ensure donors’ gifts are used in accordance with their wishes and contact the donor if this isn’t possible to find out their preferences
  • Provide accurate and timely receipts to donors, except for when receipts are issued by an authorised thirty party
  • Issue receipts for community fundraisers and events, except for when receipts are issued by an authorised third party
  • Acknowledge the support of donors with their consent and in compliance with any donor guidelines (e.g. in DFAT’s ANCP Operations Manual)
  • Respect the privacy of donors and comply with requests to remain anonymous
  • Refund gifts where fraud is suspected
  • Refuse gifts if the donor seeks to impose conditions on AOP that would limit its ability to carry out its work fairly and objectively
  • Refuse gifts from individuals or organisations involved with tobacco, gambling or weapons
  • Refuse gifts where the cost of accepting the gift outweighs the value/benefit
  • Refuse gifts that puts AOP at risk of legal action or poses a threat to its reputation
  • Refuse gifts that are known to be the proceeds of illegal activities

6.  Related Policies

AOP’s Fundraising Policy is informed by the principles and guidelines outlined in:

  • Privacy Policy
  • Child Protection Policy
  • Safeguarding Code of Conduct
  • Guidelines for Public Communication and Portrayal of Local People
  • Ethical Decision-Making Guidelines for Public Communication
  • Complaints Policy
  • Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Fraud Policy
  • Guidelines for Ethical Engagement with For-Profit Enterprise
  • Cryptocurrency Donation Policy

 

Fundraising Policy Approved May 2021 / NEXT REVISION: May 2024