Fundraising and Stewardship Policy

1. Purpose

The Humane Choices Foundation (the Organization) depends on the generosity of donors, supporters, and grant-making bodies to fulfill its mission in animal welfare, vegan advocacy, and environmental support. This policy establishes the principles and practices that govern how the Organization raises funds, accepts gifts, acknowledges donors, manages restricted funds, and maintains the trust of those who support its work.

The Organization is committed to fundraising that is honest, transparent, mission-aligned, and conducted with full respect for donor rights and charitable law. This policy should be read alongside the Code of Ethics, the Privacy and Confidentiality Policy, and the Records Retention Policy.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all fundraising activities undertaken by or on behalf of the Organization, including individual giving campaigns, major gifts, grants, recurring giving programs, events, online fundraising, and any third-party fundraising conducted in the Organization's name. It applies to Board members, staff, volunteers, and any external fundraising partners.

3. Fundraising Principles

All fundraising conducted by or on behalf of the Organization will be guided by the following principles:

Honesty: all solicitations, appeals, and communications will accurately represent the Organization's work, impact, and use of funds
Transparency: the Organization will make information about its finances, programs, and governance readily available to donors and the public
Respect: donors will be treated with dignity, and their privacy, giving preferences, and communication choices will be honored at all times
Mission alignment: fundraising will be conducted in a manner consistent with the Organization's values, including its commitments to animal welfare, veganism, and environmental justice
Proportionality: the cost of fundraising activities will be reasonable relative to funds raised, and the Organization will not engage in fundraising practices that are financially inefficient or that prioritize revenue over mission

4. Donor Rights

The Organization endorses and adheres to the Donor Bill of Rights. Every donor has the right to:

Be informed of the Organization's mission and how donated funds will be used
Receive timely, accurate, and honest information about the Organization's finances
Be assured that gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given
Receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition
Be confident that information about their donation is handled with respect and confidentiality
Expect that all relationships with the Organization's representatives will be professional and ethical
Have their name removed from mailing lists upon request
Ask questions and receive prompt, truthful, and complete responses
Withdraw a pledge or gift subject to any terms agreed at the time of the gift

5. Gift Acceptance

5.1 Acceptable Gifts

The Organization will accept the following types of gifts:

Cash donations by cheque, electronic transfer, credit card, or online payment platform
Recurring monthly or annual giving commitments
Pledges payable over a defined period
Bequests and planned gifts as set out in a donor's estate plans
Securities and publicly traded stocks
Grants from foundations, government bodies, and other grant-making institutions
Gifts in kind, subject to the conditions in section 5.3

5.2 Gifts the Organization Will Not Accept

The Organization reserves the right to decline any gift that:

Comes from a source whose business, practices, or public positions are materially inconsistent with the Organization's mission, including donors with significant interests in animal agriculture, factory farming, fur, trophy hunting, or industries with documented significant environmental harm
Is conditional on the Organization taking a specific advocacy position, altering its programs, or compromising its independence
Creates an unacceptable legal, reputational, or financial risk for the Organization
Cannot be used for purposes consistent with the Organization's charitable objects
Is anonymous and exceeds a threshold established by the Board, or where the source of funds raises concerns about legality

Decisions to decline a gift will be made by the Executive Director in consultation with the Board Chair. The Organization will communicate its decision to the donor with care and respect.

5.3 Gifts in Kind

The Organization may accept non-cash gifts of goods or services where they can be used directly in the Organization's programs or operations. The following conditions apply:

Gifts in kind must be pre-approved by the Executive Director before acceptance
The Organization will not provide a dollar valuation for gifts in kind on charitable tax receipts; donors are responsible for obtaining their own independent valuation for tax purposes
Gifts in kind that cannot be used directly may be declined or, with donor consent, liquidated and the proceeds directed to organizational programs
Gifts of food or catering for organizational events must be plant-based and consistent with the Organization's values

5.4 Restricted Gifts

A restricted gift is a donation given for a specific purpose designated by the donor. The Organization will:

Accept restricted gifts only where the designated purpose is consistent with the Organization's charitable objects and current programs
Maintain restricted funds separately and use them solely for the designated purpose
Report to the donor on the use of restricted funds as agreed at the time of the gift
Contact the donor if the designated purpose becomes impractical or impossible to fulfill, and seek direction on an alternative use

The Organization generally encourages unrestricted giving, which provides the greatest flexibility to direct resources where they are most needed.

5.5 Planned Gifts and Bequests

The Organization welcomes planned gifts and bequests and is grateful to donors who choose to include the Organization in their estate plans. The Organization will:

Provide information about planned giving options to donors upon request
Never pressure or unduly influence a donor with respect to estate planning decisions
Encourage donors considering a bequest to obtain independent legal and financial advice
Acknowledge planned giving intentions with discretion and in a manner preferred by the donor
Review and apply bequests in accordance with the donor's stated intentions and applicable estate law

7. Fundraising Events and Campaigns

When conducting fundraising events or campaigns, the Organization will:

Ensure that all event catering, merchandise, and programming is consistent with the Organization's animal welfare and environmental values
Not use high-pressure, manipulative, or emotionally exploitative tactics in solicitations
Ensure that any prizes, raffles, or gaming activities comply with applicable laws and regulations
Obtain appropriate permits, insurance, and approvals for events
Evaluate all fundraising events and campaigns against the cost-to-revenue ratio and the alignment with mission and brand

8. Third-Party Fundraising

Individuals or organizations wishing to conduct fundraising activities in the Organization's name must receive written authorization from the Executive Director in advance. Authorized third-party fundraisers will be required to:

Sign a Third-Party Fundraising Agreement setting out the terms, obligations, and permitted use of the Organization's name and brand
Conduct fundraising activities in a manner consistent with this policy and the Organization's Code of Ethics
Remit all funds raised, less any agreed expenses, to the Organization within a specified timeframe
Provide a complete accounting of all funds raised and expenses incurred

The Organization reserves the right to withdraw authorization at any time if the third-party fundraiser's conduct is inconsistent with the Organization's values or this policy.

9. Donor Stewardship

Stewardship is the ongoing relationship the Organization maintains with donors after a gift is made. Effective stewardship builds trust, demonstrates impact, and creates the conditions for sustained and growing support. The Organization's stewardship practices include:

9.1 Acknowledgment

All donors will receive a prompt, personalized acknowledgment of their gift
Acknowledgments will express genuine gratitude and reflect the Organization's values and voice
Major donors will receive personal outreach from the Executive Director or a Board member in addition to a standard acknowledgment

9.2 Reporting and Impact Communication

The Organization will communicate regularly with donors about the impact of their support through newsletters, annual reports, program updates, and direct correspondence
Donors with restricted gifts will receive specific reporting on how their funds were used
The Organization will be honest about challenges and setbacks as well as successes

9.3 Donor Recognition

The Organization will recognize donors in a manner consistent with their giving level and preferences
Donors who prefer anonymity will have that preference fully respected
Recognition opportunities, including naming rights or event sponsorships, will be subject to Board approval and will not be offered in a manner that compromises the Organization's independence or values

9.4 Donor Privacy

Donor information will be collected, stored, and used in accordance with the Privacy and Confidentiality Policy
Donor lists will never be sold, rented, or shared with third parties
Donors may update their communication preferences or request removal from mailing lists at any time

10. Ethical Fundraising and Avoiding Undue Influence

The Organization will not engage in any fundraising practice that:

Targets vulnerable individuals, including those who may be in financial difficulty, experiencing cognitive decline, or in a state of emotional distress
Uses pressure tactics, guilt, or manipulation to secure a gift
Implies that a donation will result in a specific outcome that cannot be guaranteed
Misrepresents how funds will be used or overstates the Organization's impact

Staff, volunteers, and Board members who receive information suggesting that a donor may be making a gift under pressure, without full capacity, or under circumstances that raise concern are expected to raise the matter with the Executive Director before the gift is accepted.

11. Oversight and Accountability

The Board of Directors has ultimate responsibility for the Organization's fundraising practices and for ensuring compliance with charitable law and this policy. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Board will:

Review and approve the annual fundraising plan and budget
Receive regular reports on fundraising revenue, donor retention, and stewardship activities
Review and approve any gift acceptance decisions that fall outside normal parameters
Ensure that the Organization's fundraising costs are reasonable and reported transparently

The Executive Director is responsible for day-to-day implementation of this policy and for bringing any significant gift acceptance questions to the Board in a timely manner.

12. Annual Review

This policy will be reviewed annually. All covered individuals will acknowledge having re-read Organization policies at least once annually.