1. Introduction

This Fundraising Policy outlines our commitment to ethical, transparent, and responsible fundraising. It incorporates best practices to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. (See section 10 below)

In this policy, fundraising refers to the engagement of individuals and organisations in their financial support of British Youth for Christ.

We value our supporters and strive to treat all donors fairly and with integrity. This means being mindful of and sensitive to any particular need that a donor may have. It also means striving to respect the wishes and preferences of our donors.

2. Ethical Fundraising Principle

British Youth for Christ is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and respect in all fundraising activities. We recognise that our supporters give generously and sacrificially, and we honour that trust by ensuring their gifts are stewarded responsibly and used to further our mission of reaching young people with the hope of Jesus.

We are guided by the following principles:

• Respect and dignity: We treat all donors, beneficiaries, and members of the public with respect, regardless of background, belief, or giving capacity.
• Transparency and honesty: We communicate clearly about how donations are used, and we never mislead or pressure individuals into giving.
• Accountability: We monitor and evaluate our fundraising practices to ensure they are effective, legal, ethical, and aligned with our values.
• Consent and privacy: We honour donor preferences and protect personal data in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
• Christian witness: As a faith-based organisation, we seek to reflect the character of Christ in all our interactions, including fundraising.

All staff, volunteers, and third-party fundraisers are expected to uphold these principles and act in a manner that builds trust, promotes generosity, and protects the reputation of British Youth for Christ.

3. Gifts for specific projects

We encourage donors to give financial support as general, unrestricted funds. This allows us the freedom to use funds where and when they are needed most. Occasionally, we will ask our donors to fund specific projects or areas of work. We will use any donations raised in this way for the designated purpose for which they were provided and provide information about what will happen if we raise more or less than the target for that project or area. Should excess funds for such initiatives be collected, the supporter’s agreement will be sought for transferring the gift to other specific projects or our general activities.  If we are unable to contact a supporter for agreement, any excess funds will be applied to other specific projects or to our general charitable activities, in line with our vision and charitable purposes.

4. Donor Engagement

We communicate clearly and respectfully with donors. We honour donor preferences and provide timely acknowledgements.  We do not contact individuals registered with TPS/CTPS unless prior consent is given.

All donations and gifts will be acknowledged by a member of the fundraising team as soon as possible. On receipt, all donations should be processed on the Fundraising CRM database, including details such as date received, any restrictions placed on the donation and gift aid information.

We will ensure all publicity and promotional activities are truthful and do not exaggerate. Asset-based imagery and messaging will be used to convey our mission as an organisation.

5. Donor Research

On occasion, we may research prospective donors in order to tailor our fundraising to those individuals and organisations.  All data that is held will comply with current data protection legislation. Donor and prospect research activity is limited to the Fundraising Team, with these members of staff fully briefed on the application of GDPR to this activity.

6. Handling Vulnerable Individuals

We take extra care when engaging with individuals in vulnerable circumstances. If there is doubt about a donor’s capacity to make an informed decision, we will not proceed with the donation. We will return donations if capacity is later found to have been lacking at the time of the donation.

7. Acceptance and Refusal of Donations

We conduct appropriate due diligence on donations over £10,000 or those with conditions. We may refuse donations that conflict with our values, pose reputational risks, or are from unethical sources.

8. Anti‑Money Laundering and Counter‑Terrorist Financing

British Youth for Christ is committed to ensuring that donations are not used to facilitate money laundering, terrorist financing, or any form of financial crime. In line with Charity Commission guidance, we will:

• Conduct proportionate due diligence on donors, particularly for:
  • Donations over £10,000
  • Donations from unfamiliar individuals or organisations
  • Donations from overseas sources
  • Donations with unusual conditions or payment methods
• Verify the identity of major donors where appropriate.
• Assess the source and legitimacy of funds when concerns arise.
• Refuse or return donations where:
  • The source of funds cannot be verified
  • The donation poses a risk of financial crime
  • Accepting the donation may damage the charity’s reputation
• Maintain clear records of due diligence checks and decisions.
• Escalate concerns to senior leadership and, where required, report suspicions to the relevant authorities in line with legal obligations.

All staff and volunteers involved in fundraising must remain alert to potential indicators of financial crime and follow internal reporting procedures.

9. Legacy Giving

We promote gifts in wills ethically and sensitively. We do not provide legal advice or draft wills. We encourage donors to seek independent legal advice. We respect donor wishes and only accept legacies that align with our charitable objectives.

We are currently partnered with expert estate planners, Octopus Legacy, so donors can write or update their will at a discounted rate. While many supporters choose to include a gift in their will to British Youth for Christ, there is no obligation to do so when using this service.

10. Grant-making bodies

We make sure we undertake due diligence before approaching a grant-making body to ensure that their objectives and interests align with our work. Where possible, we will contact the grant maker in advance to check eligibility and make applications to only those we believe we are eligible for. Our applications will be a true reflection of our work.

If we are successful, we will follow the administrative requirements and conditions of the grant-making body regarding any awardIf we wish to spend a grant differently from what was originally planned, we will seek the approval of the grant-making body before any changes are made to the work.

11. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

British Youth for Christ is committed to conducting all fundraising activities in full compliance with UK law and recognised best practice. This includes adherence to the following legislation and regulatory frameworks including as amended or replaced from time to time:

• Charities Act 2011 and Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016, which govern the responsibilities of trustees and fundraising agreements with third parties

• Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, ensuring the lawful, transparent, and secure handling of donor data

• Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), regulating direct marketing communications via email, phone, and SMS

• Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, protecting donors from misleading or aggressive fundraising practices

• Equality Act 2010, ensuring inclusive and non-discriminatory fundraising approaches

• Gift Aid legislation (Income Tax Act 2007), governing the correct claiming of tax relief on eligible donations

·       Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice, which sets the standard for ethical and responsible fundraising across the UK

British Youth for Christ also recognises its obligations under the Companies Act 2006, where applicable, and will comply with relevant licensing laws and regulations for public collections, raffles, and events.

All staff, volunteers, and third-party fundraisers acting on behalf of British Youth for Christ are expected to uphold these standards and ensure that fundraising is carried out with integrity, transparency, and respect for our supporters.

12. Data Protection

We collect and process donor data in accordance with GDPR and our privacy policy. We do not sell or share donor data externally. Supporters can update or remove their contact preferences at any time.

13. Complaints Handling and Feedback

British Youth for Christ is committed to maintaining the highest standards of donor care, transparency, and accountability. We recognise that our supporters are vital partners in our mission, and we aim to ensure that every interaction reflects our values of integrity and respect.

We welcome feedback and take all complaints seriously. Any concerns raised about our fundraising practices will be handled in accordance with our organisational Complaints Policy, and Fundraising Complaints Procedure which outlines clear procedures for acknowledging, investigating, and resolving issues in a timely and fair manner. Where appropriate, complaints may be escalated to the Fundraising Regulator, and we will cooperate fully with any investigation or recommendations.  Complaints about fundraising in Scotland are dealt with by the Scottish Fundraising Adjudication Panel.

Employees or volunteers may also raise concerns under the relevant policies if they have concerns about fundraising, in accordance with our Grievance Policy and our Whistleblowing Policy.

We are committed to learning from feedback and using it to strengthen our approach to fundraising, supporter engagement, and ministry impact. Our goal is to build long-term, trust-based relationships with our donors, rooted in shared faith and a common vision to reach young people with the hope of Jesus.

14. Donor reporting and Impact communication

British Youth for Christ is committed to demonstrating the impact of our supporters’ generosity. In addition to our Annual Report, and where requested or appropriate, we provide donors with clear and timely reports outlining how their contributions have been used to further our mission. These reports may include updates on funded projects, outcomes achieved, financial summaries, and stories of transformation from the young people we serve.

By sharing the tangible difference a donor makes, we aim to honour their investment and inspire continued partnership in reaching young people with the hope of Jesus.

15. Review

This policy and its procedures are reviewed every three years.

Policy approved December 2025

Fundraising Complaints Procedure

1. Purpose

This procedure explains how supporters, donors, and members of the public can raise concerns about the fundraising activities of British Youth for Christ. It ensures complaints are handled fairly, promptly, and in line with the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice.

2. What is a Fundraising Complaint?

A fundraising complaint is any expression of dissatisfaction about our fundraising actions or lack of action. Examples include:

• How we asked for donations (tone, frequency, or method)
• Use of personal data in fundraising appeals
• Conduct of fundraising staff, volunteers, or third-party agencies
• Transparency of fundraising materials

3. How to Make a Complaint

Complaints can be made in writing, by email, or by phone, to the Operations Director:

• Email: yfc@yfc.co.uk
• Phone: 0121 502 9620
• Post: Youth for Christ, c/o Albion Street Church, Albion Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EE

We encourage complaints to be made within 3 months of the incident.

4. Our Process

• Stage 1 – Acknowledgement:We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days.
• Stage 2 – Investigation:The Operations Manager or a designated representative will investigate and respond within 20 working days.
• Stage 3 – Appeal:If you are not satisfied, you have the right to respond to the outcome of an initial investigation within 10 working days of the postmark on the letter and you appeal can be made in writing, marked Confidential for the attention of the Operations Director. A response in writing will be given within 20 working days.
• Stage 4 – External Referral:If the matter remains unresolved, you can refer your complaint to the Fundraising Regulator (fundraisingregulator.org.uk), or if in Scotland the Scottish Fundraising Adjudication Panel

5. Recording & Monitoring

• All complaints are logged with details of the issue, date, and resolution.
• Complaints are reviewed quarterly by trustees to identify trends and improve practice.

6. Confidentiality

We treat all complaints in confidence and only share information with staff directly involved in resolving the issue.

7. Continuous Improvement

We use complaints as an opportunity to learn and improve our fundraising practices.

Procedure Approved December 2025