UNICEF Aotearoa Ethical Fundraising Policy

Scope 

This policy applies to all Board members, employees, volunteers, ambassadors, contractors, consultants and any third parties authorised to undertake fundraising activities on behalf of UNICEF Aotearoa.

Legislative and policy framework 

This policy operates in accordance with applicable New Zealand legislation and relevant organisational standards, including:

• Charities Act 2005;

• Privacy Act 2020;

• UNICEF Corporate Engagement Guidelines;

• Council for International Development (CID) Code of Conduct;

• Complaints Policy; and

• Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) Code of Conduct.

Policy statement 

UNICEF Aotearoa will conduct all fundraising activities honestly, transparently and in a manner that respects the rights, dignity and interests of donors, beneficiaries and the public.

Every effort will be made to raise unrestricted funds that provide UNICEF with the greatest flexibility to respond to the needs of children. Where donations are received for a specific purpose, UNICEF Aotearoa will use those funds in accordance with the donor's intent and any representations made during the fundraising process.

Where it is anticipated that funds raised will exceed the amount required for a specific appeal or campaign, UNICEF Aotearoa will clearly communicate how any surplus funds will be used through appropriate fundraising materials and public communications.

Fundraising communications and marketing 

All fundraising communications and materials will clearly identify UNICEF Aotearoa as the organisation responsible for the fundraising activity and will be accurate, truthful and not misleading.

Fundraising materials should provide donors with sufficient information to make informed decisions about supporting UNICEF Aotearoa, including, where appropriate, information regarding the use of donated funds. Where funds are being raised for a specific appeal, programme, project or purpose, fundraising communications must clearly communicate that purpose and any material restrictions on the use of funds.

All communications, marketing and fundraising materials must comply with UNICEF communication and branding guidelines and portray children, families and communities in a dignified, respectful and accurate manner.

Donor acknowledgement and tax information 

UNICEF Aotearoa will provide donors with appropriate acknowledgement of their contributions and any information required to support compliance with applicable taxation requirements.

Donors will be provided with tax receipts and other records in accordance with New Zealand legal requirements and organisational procedures.

Face-to-face fundraising 

Individuals undertaking face-to-face fundraising activities on behalf of UNICEF Aotearoa must uphold high standards of professional conduct and be aware of their responsibilities when interacting with members of the public.

Fundraisers must be appropriately trained and supervised and provided with sufficient information regarding the programmes and activities for which they are fundraising.

Employees and authorised volunteers engaged in face-to-face fundraising activities must wear UNICEF-branded clothing and carry appropriate identification demonstrating that they are acting on behalf of UNICEF Aotearoa.

Fundraisers must not exert undue pressure on donors and remuneration arrangements must not encourage inappropriate fundraising behaviour.

Truthful fundraising communications

Any individual or organisation engaged to undertake fundraising on behalf of UNICEF Aotearoa must have a written agreement in place before fundraising activities commence.

UNICEF Aotearoa will undertake appropriate due diligence and oversight of third-party fundraising arrangements to ensure compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, contractual and organisational requirements.

All agreements must clearly identify UNICEF Aotearoa as the beneficiary of funds raised and require compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory and organisational requirements.

UNICEF Aotearoa will monitor and supervise third-party fundraising arrangements to ensure compliance with this policy and to protect donor interests and public trust.

Types of donations

UNICEF Aotearoa will accept donations that are consistent with its mission, values and policies.

Donations may be accepted on an anonymous basis. Where a donor requests anonymity, UNICEF Aotearoa will still undertake appropriate due diligence and, for significant donations, may refer the matter for Board consideration where there are reputational, ethical or strategic considerations.

Donations from corporate entities which do not meet the criteria specified in UNICEF’s Corporate Engagement Guidelines must not be accepted or solicited in any way. Any unsolicited donations in this category must be reported to the UNICEF Private Fundraising and Partnership Division and returned to the donor entity in a timely manner.

Donations from political parties will not be accepted. Donations from individual politicians may be accepted and are subject to the same ethical considerations as donations from other individuals.

Where any donation raises significant ethical, reputational or strategic concerns, the Board will determine whether the donation should be accepted or declined, having regard to UNICEF Aotearoa's mission, values, policies and legal obligations. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will inform the Board of such a contribution and conduct an initial risk assessment and make an initial recommendation.

Complaints

UNICEF Aotearoa welcomes feedback and recognises the value of feedback to improve fundraising practices and maintaining accountability.

Concerns or complaints relating to fundraising, advocacy, campaigns or programme activities will be managed in accordance with the UNICEF Aotearoa Complaints Policy.

Information about making a complaint is available on UNICEF Aotearoa Complaints Policy. 

Monitoring and oversight

UNICEF Aotearoa will monitor fundraising activities to ensure compliance with this policy and relevant fundraising standards.

Significant fundraising risks, complaints, compliance issues or ethical concerns may be reported to the Senior Leadership Team and Board as appropriate.

Roles and responsibilities

The Board is responsible for oversight of ethical fundraising practices and for making decisions regarding donations that may present significant reputational, ethical or strategic risks.

The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for ensuring the implementation of this policy and escalating significant fundraising risks or issues to the Board where appropriate.

The Head of Individual Giving is responsible for the effective implementation and maintenance of this policy and any associated procedures or guidance documents.

The Head of Partnerships is responsible for ensuring compliance with UNICEF Corporate Engagement Guidelines and for reporting and managing partnership donations that fall within exclusionary criteria.

All personnel undertaking fundraising activities on behalf of UNICEF Aotearoa are responsible for complying with this policy.

Review

This policy will be reviewed every two years, or earlier where changes to legislation, fundraising standards, UNICEF policies or organisational circumstances require amendment.