About Safe Haven – A Ray of Hope

Acceptance Or Refusal Of Donations

1. Purpose

This policy outlines the principles and procedures used by Safe Haven – A Ray of Hope when accepting or refusing donations. It ensures that all donations support the charity’s mission while protecting the organisation from legal, financial, and reputational risk.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all trustees, staff, volunteers, and anyone acting on behalf of the charity in fundraising or donor engagement activities.

All individuals involved in fundraising must comply with this policy when considering whether to accept or refuse donations.

3. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Safe Haven – A Ray of Hope operates in accordance with relevant UK legislation and regulatory guidance, including:

  • The Charity Commission for England and Wales guidance, including Know Your Donor

  • The **Fundraising Regulator Code of Fundraising Practice

  • The Charities Act 2011

  • HMRC rules regarding donations and Gift Aid

  • UK anti-money laundering and financial crime legislation

The charity will act honestly and transparently in all fundraising activities and will not mislead donors or apply undue pressure, particularly where individuals may be vulnerable.

4. Principles for Accepting Donations

The charity will generally accept donations made in good faith where they support the charity’s objectives.

However, donations may be subject to risk-based due diligence, particularly where:

  • The donation is of significant value

  • The donor is unknown to the charity

  • The donation includes conditions or restrictions

  • There may be legal, ethical, or reputational risks

  • The donation is made anonymously or from overseas

The charity reserves the right to decline donations where acceptance could reasonably damage the charity’s reputation, independence, or ability to deliver its charitable objectives.

5. Consideration of Donor Vulnerability

The charity will take particular care when dealing with potentially vulnerable donors.

Factors that may indicate vulnerability include:

  • Mental or physical health conditions

  • Learning difficulties or disabilities

  • Language barriers or limited understanding of the donation process

  • Financial hardship

  • Bereavement, stress, or emotional distress

  • Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs

The charity will take reasonable steps to ensure that donors fully understand the nature of their donation.

Regular donations such as direct debits will not normally be accepted from individuals under 18.

6. Grounds for Refusing Donations

A donation may be refused where there are reasonable grounds to believe that:

  • The donor’s activities or values are incompatible with the charity’s mission

  • The donation is linked to illegal activity such as fraud, tax evasion, or money laundering

  • The donor appears on relevant UK government sanctions lists

  • The donation is offered with unacceptable conditions, including:

    • Providing significant private benefit to the donor

    • Requiring the charity to purchase goods or services from specific providers

    • Restrictions that undermine the charity’s independence or public benefit purpose

    • Conditions that significantly limit the charity’s ability to operate effectively

  • The administrative or operational cost of accepting the donation outweighs its value

  • Adequate due diligence cannot be carried out, particularly in the case of large anonymous donations

Small anonymous donations may be accepted where there is no reason to suspect wrongdoing.

7. Decision-Making and Documentation

Where a donation presents potential risk or raises concerns, the matter will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees or a designated trustee.

All decisions to refuse a donation must:

  • Be documented with a clear explanation

  • Be retained for governance and audit purposes

Where appropriate, serious concerns may be reported to the Charity Commission as a Serious Incident.

8. Data Protection

All donor information will be handled in accordance with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Donor data will only be used for legitimate charity purposes and will be stored securely.

9. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if there are changes in legal or regulatory requirements.

Approval

Approved by the Board of Trustees of Safe Haven – A Ray of Hope.

Last Reviewed: January 2026
Next Review: February 2027