Our policy on returning donations and the framework for deciding whether to return a donation to a donor.
Definitions
Donor: The individual who is making the donation
Fundraiser: The individual who is raising money through requesting donations from third parties. The Charity: Just Helping Children
The Fundraising Team: The team raising money for Just Helping Children Policy
In accordance with the Charity Commissions advice, keeping or returning donations is the decision of the Trustees. Trustees need to think carefully about, and be able to demonstrate, what is
in the best interest of the charity.
It is the responsibility of the Fundraising Team to pull together the relevant information and documentation for the donation in order for the Trustees to make a final decision.
Depending on the terms of the donations and how the funds were raised, there may be restrictions on whether a donation can be returned and the Charity Commission may need to authorise such returns. The Fundraising Team will seek advice from the Charity Commission on behalf of the Charity about whether their authorisation is required on a case-by-case basis. Trustees may wish to seek their own legal advice. The Charity Commission does not expect the Charity to return funds raised for charitable purposes but understands if they wish to consider doing so.
All claims for a refund should be within 12 months.
When would we consider returning a donation?
When a donation has been made in error
We would return a donation if money had been taken in error. Examples include:
If a donor has double-clicked on the online payment page and the donation had been processed twice;
If an additional zero was added in error to the donation, or the wrong amount was processed; If there is a technical error on our online payment forms that caused donations to be taken in error;
If there is a mix up with the name of the Charity and they actually meant their donation to go somewhere else. For example, there may be special purpose funds with similar names to external charities.
For reputational or ethical reasons
The Fundraising team exercise due diligence in the acceptance of all donations. The Charity will not accept donations which are judged to be unethical or put the reputation of the Charity at unacceptable risk.
For the same reason, the Charity may choose to review the acceptance of a donation if they believe circumstances have changed since the initial risk was assessed. These donations will be escalated for review if:
They are judged to have been unethically or illegally obtained;
An unacceptable conflict of interest has arisen;
If the person is judged not to have the ability to make independent financial decisions.
When would we not consider returning a donation?
We would only consider returning donations in line with criteria outlined above. Additionally, to make it completely transparent we would not return donations for the following scenarios: Where the funds have already been spent;
We are unable to process any requests for refunds once the funds have already been spent. It would not be in the best interests of the Charity to have to re-route other funds in order to return money to the donor.
If a campaign raises insufficient funds or surplus funds, then the funds will be used if appropriate, to fund the child’s or children’s needs in accordance with Just4Children’s charitable objects. If in those circumstances Just4Children are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of the child or children in accordance with Just4Children’s charitable objects, then any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Just4Children.
In addition, where the funds are earmarked for medical needs within the time frame of the campaign.
Force Majeure
In the case of a force majeure preventing the Charity from meeting a donor’s wishes then no refunds will be made.
