Donations and Grants Acceptance Policy

1. Purpose of this Policy

This policy sets out the principles and procedures applied by Lambourn Junction Community Interest Company when receiving donations, grants, sponsorship and other forms of financial or in kind support.

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Protect the integrity, independence and reputation of the organisation
  • Ensure transparency and accountability in relation to funding
  • Provide guidance to directors, volunteers and initiative leaders
  • Ensure all funding supports the organisation’s purposes and guiding principles
  • Ensure compliance with good governance and financial management practices

The organisation operates entirely on a not for profit basis and all funds received are used solely to support community initiatives, charitable activities and the long term sustainability of the organisation.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • Monetary donations
  • Grants from trusts, foundations and public bodies
  • Business and Corporate sponsorship
  • Community fundraising
  • In kind donations of goods or services
  • Restricted and unrestricted funding

3. General Principles

The organisation welcomes donations and grants which support its objectives.

All donations and grants must:

  • Be consistent with the organisation’s guiding principles, policies and purposes
  • Support activities which provide public benefit
  • Not compromise the independence or integrity of the organisation
  • Not create unacceptable reputational risk
  • Be transparent and from reputable sources

The organisation will not accept donations or grants where conditions attached to the funding could:

  • Conflict with the organisation’s values or policies
  • Restrict the organisation’s independence
  • Improperly influence decision making
  • Damage the reputation of the organisation
  • Create unacceptable operational or financial risk
  • The Donor expects reciprocal arrangements of material monetary value

4. Micro Donations and Community Giving

The majority of donations received by the organisation are small donations, often of less than £10 in value, given by local residents in support of individual initiatives and activities.

Given the low value and community based nature of these donations, formal donor verification procedures are not generally required unless concerns arise regarding the source of funds.

5. Larger Donations, Grants and Business/Corporate Sponsorship

For larger donations, grants or sponsorship arrangements, directors will take reasonable and proportionate steps to:

  • Identify and record the source of funding in the accounting systems
  • Ensure the donor or organisation is reputable and transparent
  • Assess any potential reputational or ethical concerns
  • Consider any conditions attached to the funding
  • Ensure monetary donations are received from a UK based bank account

Funding will only be accepted where directors are satisfied that acceptance is in the best interests of the organisation and consistent with its purposes and values.

6. Restricted Donations

Some donations and grants may be offered with some restrictions relating to how the donation is used. For example funds provided for specific initiatives, activities or defined purposes within an initiative.

Restricted donations are acceptable where:

  • The restriction is lawful and reasonable
  • The restriction aligns with the organisation’s purposes
  • The organisation has the capacity to deliver the funded activity
  • The restriction does not improperly influence governance or operational independence

The organisation recognises that many donors wish to support a particular aspect of community work and considers these forms of targeted community support to be appropriate and beneficial where they remain consistent with the organisation’s guiding principles and operational independence.

Restricted funds will be separately identified, monitored and accounted for within the organisation’s financial records and used solely for the specified purpose for which they were donated.

7. Refusal of Donations

The organisation reserves the right to refuse any donation, sponsorship or grant where directors reasonably believe acceptance may:

  • Harm the organisation’s reputation
  • Interfere unreasonably with the independent operation of the company
  • The donor expects something of monetary value in return for making the donation
  • Conflict with its guiding principles
  • Create unacceptable legal, ethical or operational risk

Any significant or potentially controversial donation refusal will be recorded in board minutes.

8. Review and Oversight

Responsibility for oversight of this policy rests with the directors of the organisation.

The policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains appropriate, proportionate and consistent with good governance practice and the evolving activities of the organisation.

Document Control

  • Policy approved on: 28 November 2025
  • Next review date: 28 November 2026

Lambourn Junction Community Interest Company
The Blue House, Station Road, Lambourn, RG17 8PH
Company Number: 13305113

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