Policy on grants, donations, sponsorship and gifts

1. Purpose of the policy

This policy is to govern acceptance of all grants, donations, sponsorship and gifts received by Norwich City Community Sports Foundation. The policy applies to all staff, officers, volunteers and trustees.

2. Scope of the policy

The following activities are considered to be covered in this document:

• Direct grants, donations and contributions to CSF
• Advertisement in CSF publications
• Commercial stands at CSF events and conferences
• Use of foundation logo or brand
• Sponsorship of CSF programmes

3. CSF Values 

• To deliver professional, quality, safe, affordable services to all users
• Respect and listen to the views of children, young people, adults and our partners
• Invest in and support staff to enable development and progression
• Provide excellent communication and customer care
• Provide opportunities that empower and engage all users

4. Factors for consideration in accepting grants, donations, sponsorship and gifts

When considering whether to solicit or accept grants, donations, sponsorship or gifts, CSF should undertake due

diligence and consider, but not be limited by the following factors:

• Values – whether the acceptance of the grant, donation, sponsorship or gift compromises any of the core values,

mission or goals of CSF.

• Compatibility – whether there is compatibility between the intent of the donor and CSF’s use of the grant, donation,

sponsorship or gift

• Public Relations – whether acceptance of the grant, donation, sponsorship or gift will damage the reputation of CSF or

would affect CSF’s image of impartiality

• Partner Relationships – whether acceptance of the grant, donation, sponsorship or gift will damage relationships with

any of CSF’s partner organisations or stakeholders

• Primary Benefit –whether the primary benefit is to CSF, versus the donor

5. Restrictions on grants, donations, sponsorship or gifts

CSF will not accept grants, donations, sponsorship or gifts that;

• Would result in CSF violating its mission
• Would result in CSF losing its status as a registered charity
• Are too difficult or too expensive to administer in relation to their value
• Would result in any unacceptable consequences for CSF
• Are for purposes outside of CSF’s mission

No grants, donations, sponsorship or gifts should knowingly be accepted from any organisation involved in the following;

• Production of tobacco
• Manufacture or dealing of arms
• Manufacture or promotion of alcohol
• Promotion of gambling
• Provision of pay-day loans
• Exploitation of women or men (including pornography)
• Human Rights abuses including any form of child abuse
• Environmental degradation
• Inappropriate promotion of breast milking substitutes

With reference to arms, tobacco, alcohol and exploitation of women, some companies may not be clearly identified with these activities. It is considered that it is only practical to consider the activities of the donating or sponsoring company itself, as it would be difficult to identify all companies which have subsidiary or parent’s companies which fall into this category.

6. Process for acceptance of grants, donations, sponsorship or gifts

• All grants, donations, sponsorship of gifts received by CSF must be fully and transparent recorded in CSF accounts and annual

reports.

• All donations, however small, from third parties to CSF must be declared in CSF accounts and cannot be anonymous. Should an

individual donor wish to remain anonymous, the name must be disclosed to the CSF Senior Leadership Team who may approve the

donation.

• Sponsorship for individuals should be modest and hospitality should not be lavish. The guiding principles should be whether officers

or staff would be happy for it to be generally know that they are receiving support for a particular activity.

• CSF reserves the right to refuse any donor or sponsor that they deem is in conflict of interest with its guiding principles or on

subjective grounds of nature, taste or positioning.

• The CSF Senior Leadership team reporting to the CSF Director have the responsibility for monitoring this policy.

7. Decision making process

Many grants, donations, sponsorship and gifts can be accepted without review, from established and beneficial funding relationship or from non-controversial donors whose aims and values clearly align with those of CSF or who explicitly share the mission and values of CSF.

Certain forms of grants, donations, sponsorship and gifts will be subject to review prior to acceptance. These include:

• From unknown or unfamiliar donors which CSF does not have an established funding relationship.
• From institutional donors (including foundations, foreign government agencies, corporations, corporate foundations or for-profit

entities) that might not implicitly or explicitly share the core values of CSF

• That require legal counsel
• That could lead to conflicts of interest
• That include significant restrictions

Controversial grants, donations, sponsorship or gifts will be considered by the Foundation Fundraising staff who will then refer the decision to the CSF Director. The CSF Director will have the final decision following advice from the CSF trustees.

The SLT will keep records summarising discussions and decisions, and will undertake an annual review of this policy to determine if any amendments are necessary.

CSF will seek the advice of legal counsel in matters relating to acceptance of grants, donations, sponsorship and gifts when deemed appropriate. Review by legal counsel is recommended for:

• Securities that are subject to restrictions or buy-sell agreements
• Documents naming CSF as trustee or requiring CSF to act in any fiduciary capacity
• Requiring CSF to assume financial or other obligations
• Transactions with potential conflicts of interest.
• Property which may be subject to environmental or other regulatory restrictions