Fundraising Policy

1. Purpose 

We want all those fundraising in aid of AuDHD UK to feel confident and supported whilst representing us. This policy ensures clear expectations and standards are kept, both for AuDHD UK and for our fundraisers. 

2. Definition of Terms

For the purpose of this policy, the following terms have been defined in alignment with the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice (found here).

  • The “Fundraiser” refers to anyone raising funds for AuDHD UK, including Independent Fundraisers, Ambassadors, team members and other organisations.

  • The “Charity” may be used to refer to our charitable organisation, AuDHD UK (RCN: 1214722).

  • The “Parties” refers to both the Fundraiser and the Charity. 

3. General Standards

In an attempt to foster a positive and supportive fundraising environment, both parties agree to:

  • Comply with best practice standards and regulations set out by:

    • The Fundraising Regulator including the Code of Fundraising Practice (November 2025) 

    • General Data Protection Regulation regarding donor data.

    • The Charity Commission for England and Wales

  • Protect the Charity’s reputation by acting respectfully and honestly. 

  • Be open about personal or professional connections that might affect your fundraising efforts. 

  • Endeavor to resolve any conflicts professionally and respectfully. 

4. Fundraiser-specific Guidelines

4.1 Documentation Prior to Fundraising (Excluding Ambassadors)

AuDHD UK would be happy to provide support regarding and throughout your event/campaign where reasonably possible. If this is desired, the Fundraiser must provide a project proposal to the Charity and sign a Fundraising Agreement prior to the launch of any fundraising campaign in aid of AuDHD UK. 

For guidance on how to draft a project proposal, please see our guidance and template here.

4.2 Event Safety & Licensing

Prior to the event, the Fundraiser is responsible for:

  • Risk assessments where appropriate

  • Obtaining necessary permits or licences

  • Ensuring appropriate training has been completed

  • Ensuring adequate insurance for events.

The Charity is not responsible for the safety or organisation of the fundraising activity.

4.3 Talking to Donors

  • Be friendly and respectful - never pushy or persistent. 

  • If someone seems upset or unsure, pause and check in with them kindly.

  • Always be clear about how their donations will help (e.g., “Your support helps fund AuDHD assessments and support”), ensuring statements or promises are not made to the specifics of how the funds raised are spent. 

The Fundraiser must not collect or store donor data for their own purposes unless donors have explicitly consented.

The Charity may review the Fundraiser’s records relating to the activity on reasonable notice to verify compliance with the Code and this Agreement.

4.4 Raising Concerns

  • Raise any safeguarding concerns to safeguarding@audhduk.org - we’ll look into it and reply within 5 working days. Depending on what has happened, we might offer extra support or discuss next steps.

  • Keep donor information safe and private - only use it with permission and delete it after 2 years.

5. Ambassador Guidelines and Expectations

5.1. Initial Fundraising Requirements

The Ambassador must have raised a minimum of £250 in order to be considered for ambassadorship under the following conditions:

  • Application for ambassadorship must be made within 30 days of raising the required £250 in order for the application to be valid. 

  • The entire sum of £250 must have been raised within a 3 month period to signify active fundraising efforts. 

All funds must be raised through an official fundraising page that is:

  • Approved by the Charity; and

  • Clearly linked to the Charity’s designated fundraising platform.

Established fundraising platforms (e.g. JustGiving or GoFundMe) are the Charity’s preferred way to ensure this is met (see Section 8 for more detail). 

Failure to meet this requirement within the specified timeframe may result in termination of this Agreement at the Charity’s discretion.

Upon completion of the initial fundraising requirement and Ambassador Agreement, applicants will be reviewed for approval. Approved applicants are granted AuDHD UK ambassadorship and will be advertised on our social media within 4 weeks. 

5.2. Ongoing Fundraising Requirements

Upon application approval,  the Ambassador agrees to raise a further £750 within 12 months of the Agreement start date.

This amount is cumulative and must also be verifiable via approved fundraising channels linked to the Charity as stated in Section 8. 

Completion of the ongoing yearly fundraising requirement within the agreed 12 month period will result in a yearly ambassadorship award. This award includes:

  • Ambassadorship renewal for 12 months (with the ongoing yearly fundraising requirement of £750 in order to renew again for a further 12 months).

  • Announcement on Charity social media when ambassadorship is awarded/renewed.

  • At least one repost on the Charity’s social media of an Ambassador’s fundraising campaign, event, or other AuDHD-related content.

  • Invitation to be a volunteer guest speaker at a minimum of 1 event hosted by the charity (e.g. podcast, webinar, media campaign, in-person event) during their active ambassadorship period. 

Funds raised in the 12 month period over the amount of £1800 will result in the Ambassador being awarded an Ambassador profile on the Charity’s website which will remain published for 12 months from the date of posting. 

Ambassadors are expected to adhere to all information contained in this Fundraising policy with the exception of Section 7 and subsection 4.1. 

Failure to comply with the Charity’s policies and agreements in place at any time will result in the forfeit of Ambassadorship and associated benefits, and all previous agreements are null and void. This is at the discretion of the Charity.

6. Social Media and Communications

The Fundraiser must promote the activity through their own channels (e.g. social media, word of mouth).

However:

  • All references to the Charity must be accurate and respectful.

  • Messaging must not imply endorsement, partnership, or involvement beyond what has been agreed.

  • The Charity cannot guarantee promotion of the campaign on its own social media channels but aims to promote the fundraising campaign where reasonable.

  • The Charity reserves the right to request amendments and removals if promotions do not align with accurate representation of the charity

Any use of the Charity’s logo or branding must be approved in advance where reasonably possible.

The Fundraiser agrees to the following:

  • All correspondence relating to the Fundraiser’s campaign will go through official AuDHD UK channels. If you are unsure which channel to use, please email hello@audhduk.org 

  • Attempts to communicate matters relating to the Charity via personal contact methods will not be responded to unless previously agreed in writing in exceptional circumstances. 

  • Persistent attempts to communicate via personal contact methods not otherwise agreed will constitute a breach of contract. 

Whilst campaign promotion on social media  (e.g. the content creation and posting schedule) is the responsibility of the Fundraiser, AuDHD UK will endeavor to be available for advice and discussions about promoting the campaign where reasonably possible.

7. Fundraising Platforms and Donation Pages

All online fundraising pages must:

  • Clearly state the funds are being raised in aid of AuDHD UK (excluding Ambassadors)

  • Accurately describe how funds will be used

  • Avoid misleading or exaggerated claims about the Charity’s work.

The Charity reserves the right to review or request amendments to fundraising pages before they are widely promoted. 

The Charity reserves the right to review or request amendments to fundraising pages  during and after the event(s). 

8. Financial Transparency

The Fundraiser must:

  • Maintain clear and accurate records of funds raised.

  • Ensure funds are securely held and not mixed with personal funds where possible.

  • Transfer all funds raised to the Charity within 14 days of the fundraising activity ending.

A written summary must be provided including:

  • Total funds raised

  • Any approved expenses deducted

  • Details of fundraising platforms used.

Fundraising platforms (e.g. JustGiving or GoFundMe) are the best way to ensure this section is satisfied as associated organisations hold the donations until transfer and transfer funds to the Charity at regular intervals. 

9. Third-Party Donations and Trusts

Where funds originate from other charitable trusts, organisations, or grant-making bodies, payments must be made directly to the Charity with award letters and any restrictions supplied to enable correct fund accounting.

The Charity cannot act as a financial conduit for large sums originating from third-party charitable trusts. Please see our Pass-through Donation Policy (found here) for more information. 

10. Expenses

Unless otherwise agreed in writing:

  • The Fundraiser is responsible for the payment of all costs associated with organising the activity.

  • Expenses must not be deducted from donations without prior written approval from the Charity.

Donors must not be misled about how much of their donation goes to the Charity.

11. Gift Aid

Where Gift Aid is applicable:

  • Official Charity Gift Aid declarations must be used.

  • Donors must meet the requirements set by HMRC (AuDHD UK’s Reference: ZD37783)

Whilst the Fundraiser can collect Gift Aid declarations during their fundraising event, the Charity is responsible for submitting Gift Aid claims  and will hold information relating to this in compliance with the Code of Fundraising Practice (November 2025). Therefore, the Fundraiser must ensure all collected Gift Aid information is accurate and correct according to HMRC guidelines (found here).

The best way to ensure compliance is by using our Charity Fundraising forms:

Our single donation Gift aid form can be found here.

Our Sponsorship & Gift Aid form can be found here.

12. Compliance with Regulations

The Fundraiser must not collect or store donor data for their own purposes unless donors have explicitly consented to this.

The Charity may review the Fundraiser’s records relating to the activity on reasonable notice to verify compliance with the Code and this Agreement. 

13. Reputation and Conduct

Whilst campaigning for AuDHD UK, the Fundraiser agrees not to undertake any activity that may:

  • Damage the reputation of the Charity

  • Misrepresent the Charity’s work

  • Cause harm or distress to donors or beneficiaries.

AuDHD UK reserves the right to withdraw permission for the fundraising activity at any time if reputational risks arise.

14. Public Statements and Reputational Protection

Both Parties agree to act in good faith and in a manner that protects the reputation and integrity of the other party.

If concerns or disputes arise during the course of the fundraising activity, the Parties agree to first seek to resolve the matter through direct communication.

The Fundraiser agrees not to make public statements - including through social media, media outlets, or online platforms - that could reasonably be expected to damage the reputation of the Charity without first raising the concern directly with the Charity and allowing a reasonable opportunity for the matter to be addressed.

Nothing in this clause prevents either party from raising legitimate concerns through appropriate and lawful channels. However, both Parties acknowledge the importance of resolving issues constructively and privately wherever possible.

The Charity reserves the right to withdraw its permission for the fundraising activity or the use of its name and branding if public statements or actions by the Fundraiser present a significant reputational risk to the Charity, or if the behaviour of the Fundraiser is considered to be in violation of the Code of Fundraising Practice (November 2025). 

15. Use of Funds

All funds raised through The Fundraiser will be treated as unrestricted charitable donations to AuDHD UK, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Charity.

This means that the Charity retains full discretion over how the funds are allocated in order to support its overall charitable purposes and operational priorities.

The Fundraiser must not state or imply that funds raised will be used for:

  • a specific individual,

  • a particular project,

  • a restricted programme, or

  • a guaranteed outcome

unless this has been formally agreed in writing by the Charity.

Where funds are raised via a fundraising or ambassadorship activity referencing a particular project, service, or area of the Charity’s work, this must be described as supporting the work of the Charity rather than guaranteeing that funds will be used exclusively for that purpose.

The Charity will make reasonable efforts to ensure funds are used in a way that aligns with the spirit and intention of the fundraising or ambassadorship activity, but ultimate responsibility for allocation of funds remains with the Charity in accordance with its charitable objectives.

If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us at hello@audhduk.org.

Last updated: 31 March 2026