Charities Policy Standard Corporate Centre. Our Community

Transcription

1 Charities Policy Standard Corporate Centre Our Community

2 Contact For further information please contact: Kingfisher plc 3 Sheldon Square, Paddington London W2 6PX +44 (0) Contents 1 Introduction Why do we have a policy standard? What poses a risk? Legal and regulatory requirements (UK) Working with non-registered charities 3 2 Implementation Kingfisher Charity Cash Sponsorship Programme Kingfisher Charity Fundraising Programme Kingfisher Gift Voucher Scheme Kingfisher Employees Personal Fundraising Kingfisher agreed schemes supporting opportunities for Personal fundraising What we don t fund Overseas funding 6 Kingfisher plc 2009 Please note first published April 2007

3 Kingfisher Charities Policy Standard Corporate Centre 1 1. Introduction 1.1. Why do we have a policy standard? Kingfisher is proud of its charitable and community giving achievements, which bring potential benefits to thousands of people and communities across the world. We know that this element of our Corporate Responsibility programme brings a sense of self-achievement and pride in our workplace, and we encourage employees to get involved with initiatives as set within this policy standard, including procedures and good practice guidance. A corporate charities policy standard is necessary to protect our business, employees and the general public from illegal practice, including unscrupulous appeals and the possible misappropriation of funds, to minimise the risk of prosecution, harm to individuals or negative media attention. The policy standard also ensures that charity partners meet our values and ethical standards, as laid down in the Kingfisher Code of Conduct, and that they conform to charities legislation and regulations. Everyone at Kingfisher is responsible for making sure that they understand and adhere to the policy standard, procedures and good practice guidance within this policy standard, which should be applied to any request for charity or community support involving cash donations, the raising of funds, or gifts in kind. In our experience most activities are undertaken with the best of intentions, and with a heartfelt desire to make a difference. It is easy to be drawn in to an innovative fundraising idea which does not comply with this policy standard, as well as other regulatory and legal requirements as highlighted in section 1.4. This activity may put individuals or the business at risk. For this reason we only work with recognised charities or where agreement is given through the Double It scheme or other schemes, explained further in this document. Please note: This policy standard applies to Kingfisher Corporate Centre employees. Individual operating companies have their own charity policies. Where Kingfisher operating companies wish to use the Kingfisher name in additional to their own to advertise a charitable event or cause, we would ask that they comply with section 2.1 of this policy standard. Operating companies are encouraged to note the policy standard and guidance details given, particularly with regards to UK legislation and regulatory requirements for charities, and check whether these are appropriate to the country in which they operate, and develop a policy standard to deal with these. This policy standard was first introduced in 2006 and will be reviewed annually, alongside evaluation of our corporate charitable giving initiatives. Further Kingfisher guidance on working with charities, community or voluntary organisations can be obtained by contacting corporateresponsibility@kingfisher.com

4 2 Kingfisher Charities Policy Standard Corporate Centre 1.2. What poses a risk? The following are practical examples of potential risks with regards to everyday fund raising activities: Question: Answer: What are the risks if I work with an unregistered charity? Charities who do not comply with legislation, including the Charities Act of 1992 (in particular Part II), The Charities Bill (introduced in 2005) and The Charitable Institutions (Fund Raising) Regulations (1994), and do not take adequate steps to protect themselves or their commercial partners pose risks to the business, the general public and themselves. Consequences: Possible unscrupulous appeals, damage to Kingfisher s reputation and negative media attention. Misunderstandings may arise where employees have a personal interest in a charity. Question: Answer: What are the risks if I get involved in practical fund raising activities? Activities could be potentially unsafe and inadvertently cause harm/damage to employees/individuals, property or cause environmental risk. Consequences: Possible prosecution of Kingfisher and the charity concerned by the relevant agencies or enforcing authorities leading to negative media attention, or claims against Kingfisher for damage done by the injured person for their injury and loss of earnings. Both of these involve substantial management time in addition to legal costs. Incidents may not be covered by Kingfisher s Public Liability Insurance. Question: Answer: Can I sell food on behalf of charities? Health and food hygiene regulations on the preparation of food must be applied in the preparation of food to be sold in aid of charity, in all cases. Organisations selling food must be qualified and hold appropriate health and hygiene certificates. Consequences: Potential risk to employees and the general public s health (food poisoning) leading to a possible legal proceedings against the business, the individual and the charity Legal and regulatory framework (UK) The Charities Commission is established by law as the regulator and registrar for charities in England and Wales, to increase charities effectiveness and public confidence and trust. Charities registered with, and regulated by, the Charities Commission need to conform to legislation including the Charities Act of 1992 (in particular Part II), The Charities Bill (introduced in 2005 and for further debate in 2006) and The Charitable Institutions (Fund Raising) Regulations of Where a charity and a commercial company enter into an agreement, either to raise funds for the charity or raise its profile, this is known as a Commercial Partnership (as defined by the Charities Commission). Kingfisher adheres to the principles and good practice guidance

5 Kingfisher Charities Policy Standard Corporate Centre 3 laid down by the Charities Commission, and when entering in to a Commercial Partnership with our nominated charities (reviewed annually) we include these in formal agreements (introduced in 2006) Working with non-registered charities As already described, charities registered with the Charities Commission pose the least risk as they work to a set of legal and regulatory standards and requirements, which are monitored by the Commission. As a rule, Kingfisher will not consider unregistered UK charities as part of their annual sponsorship programme. From time to time Kingfisher may enter in an agreement with an organisation linked to a government department or statutory authority. If this is the case, any funding which we give should not be used to replace that which is provided through public funds, and evidence of additional benefits to people or communities must be given. Operating companies that sponsor or support regional and local charities not registered with the Charities Commission, are advised to check the credentials of the community or voluntary organisation they are working with. This can be done by asking for a copy of their report and accounts. In England most communities have a Council for Voluntary Service, who hold a list of community or voluntary organisations. Although working with registered charities poses the least risk, we recognise that employees work with a wide range of community and voluntary organisations, and that vetting at this level may be more difficult. All organisations should be affiliated to some sort of governing body, e.g. education authority, employment services or housing schemes.

6 4 Kingfisher Charities Policy Standard Corporate Centre 2. Implementation 2.1. Kingfisher Charity Cash Sponsorship Programme Kingfisher will only select a small number of charities to cash fund. These will be approved by the Director of Governance and Corporate Services and/or the Director of Corporate Responsibility, and will be reviewed on an annual basis (Kingfisher financial year) to ensure a broad range of charities and issues are taken into account. In order to achieve best practice Kingfisher adheres to the Charities Commission s guidance when choosing partners for our corporate sponsorship programme, and we will arrange formal agreements with charity partners to include: Credentials of charity partners, which will be checked with the Charities Commission (UK). Charities must be compliant with legislation (UK), including Charities Act (1992), The Charities Bill (2005), The Charitable Institutions Fund Raising Regulations (1994). Charity partners must agree to fund raising activities which benefit the general public. Partners must identify risks. Partners must take adequate steps to protect themselves, including their reputations, and must identify potential risks. There should be a common agreement on shared values and ethical standards. Kingfisher will agree media activities, including use of logos, advertising etc with charity partners. Charity partners must monitor and evaluate their fund raising activities through the Commercial Partnership, including written reports annually, and at the end of the sponsored period. Charity partners should consider any tax implications of the Commercial Partnership agreement, prior to entering into it, and take necessary advice on this. Kingfisher will agree formal and necessary licensing arrangements, joint promotional agreements or sponsorship agreements as appropriate to fund raising activities Kingfisher Charity Fundraising Programme In order to widen the opportunity to raise funds for charity, Kingfisher will agree to support, through corporate centre fundraising activities, a selection of charities. These charities will be agreed by the Fundraising Committee (comprising representatives from Corporate Responsibility, HR and Communications) and will be reviewed on an annual basis (Kingfisher financial year) to ensure a broad range of charities and issues are taken into account. The only exception to the annual review of charities are; Poppy Appeal, Children in Need and Comic Relief, which are ongoing appeals. Any one-off fundraising activity, e.g. Asian Tsunami, will be advised by Kingfisher Communications. We support and encourage employees who work on their own initiative to raise funds for agreed worthwhile causes, though we ask that they balance this with responsibility to protect the business, the general public and themselves, by adhering to the policies and guidance offered in this policy standard. In particular we ask them to pay attention to any fundraising

7 Kingfisher Charities Policy Standard Corporate Centre 5 which includes the production of written materials, including calendars. Extreme care must be taken so that information printed is correct and does not offend Kingfisher, any group or individual, including our employees and the general public. Any fundraising that involves publicity should be checked with and approved by the Head of Internal Communications, Donna Reeves. donna.reeves@kingfisher.com Important Note: Only collecting boxes for nominated charities may be used to collect donations, and these must be sealed and bears the charity s name. It is illegal to collect in ordinary buckets and other open containers (Charities Commission) Kingfisher Gift Voucher Scheme Kingfisher s voucher scheme is designed to support small requests from local charities and community organisations e.g. raffle prizes. This scheme is operated and agreed by the Director of Corporate Responsibility Kingfisher Employee Personal Fundraising Employees naturally have the right to get involved in personal fundraising activities for charities which may not adhere to the agreed charities under section 2.2. Kingfisher has no objection to employees gaining sponsorship from colleagues, though you are advised to check the credentials of charities, bearing in mind the policy standard and guidance outlines above, in particular in the area of risk Kingfisher agreed schemes supporting opportunities for Personal fundraising Double It Scheme This is a match funding scheme for Kingfisher employees only, where money raised for a charity or good cause could potentially be matched by Kingfisher, pound for pound for up to 500. More information and an application form can be found on Kingnet. Pay Roll Giving Employees can contribute to charities of their choice through a pay roll giving scheme, whereby a nominated amount of money is taken directly from you salary each month (tax free) and paid to your chosen charity. This scheme is operated through the agent Sharing the Caring on behalf of the Charities Aid Foundation, and is a safe route to giving donations as suggested charities are checked for compliance with charity law and requirements. For full details of how to sign up for this scheme please see Kingnet. Volunteering The Kingfisher corporate volunteering programme was launched in April Within this, Kingfisher will allow Corporate Centre Employees one (paid) day per year to volunteer to support a charitable organisation. Advice and recommendations are given about how to get involved in volunteering, and time can be given through hands on support or through sharing of skills and expertise. Agreement must be obtained from line managers. For full details of the scheme please see Kingnet.

8 6 Kingfisher Charities Policy Standard Corporate Centre 2.6. What we don t fund We aim to support charity work which has the greatest direct benefit for the cause it exists for, and it is our policy standard that we do not fund: Charity advertising space, unless specifically linked to a Kingfisher funded project. Arts projects. Expeditions, overseas trips of adventure experiences for individuals. Support to political parties or political causes. Promotion of specific religious ideas or views. Support to religious bodies, except where the project is for the benefit of the general public and wider community. Year end deficits. Support or personal appeals by, or on behalf of, individuals. A charities core costs including buildings, salaries general running or management costs. Individual overseas projects not linked to current partners. Anything that would replace funds provided by government or statutory authorities, and that does not bring additional benefits to people or communities (see section 1.4) Overseas Funding As a general criteria Kingfisher does not offer funding or give donations to individual overseas projects, communities, schools or individuals, unless linked specifically to existing partnership arrangements, projects through corporate giving programmes or where linked to Kingfisher s or operating companies direct business activities, e.g. linked to sourcing or supply chains. Our decisions have been informed by experience. In summary, these are: Kingfisher is a home improvement business and we do not have experience of working in, or with people from, developing countries. We are aware of the complexities of the many different cultural, social and political situations which exist in developing countries, and we do not have the knowledge, expertise or control systems to ensure that donations would be appropriately placed. Kingfisher is well aware of misguided support; even when given with good intentions we can cause more problems in the long run than by offering no support at all. Mishandling of funds, unrealistic expectations, rivalry and bitterness between communities or factions of the same community are but a few of the problems that all too easily can occur. We do not have the expertise or manpower to ensure that suitable guidelines, agreements and safeguards are set in place and regularly monitored to minimise such dangers. If Kingfisher employees wish to help or get personally involved with any form of overseas aid, they are recommended to contact well known and respected UK charities such as Oxfam, The Red Cross or Save the Children.

9 Kingfisher plc 3 Sheldon Square, Paddington London W2 6PX +44 (0) For further information please contact: corporateresponsibility@kingfisher.com Kingfisher plc 2009