What having duty of care means for a giving organisation?

Duty of care is a legal and moral obligation that organisations have to act reasonably to protect the safety and well-being of individuals or entities affected by their activities. In the context of giving organisations, this duty of care extends to various aspects of their operations and interactions, including:

1. Donor Information and Privacy:

- Collecting, storing, and handling donor information responsibly, ensuring its security and confidentiality.

- Obtaining explicit consent from donors regarding the use of their personal information and providing clear privacy policies.

- Protecting donor data from unauthorised access, disclosure, or misuse.

2. Financial Management and Accountability:

- Implementing robust financial systems and controls to ensure the proper handling of donated funds.

- Providing donors with transparent and accurate financial reports, including details on how their donations are used.

- Regularly reviewing and auditing financial practices to identify and address any potential risks.

3. Ethical Fundraising Practices:

- Avoiding misleading, deceptive, or coercive practices in soliciting donations from individuals.

- Disclosing any relevant information or potential conflicts of interest to donors.

- Ensuring that fundraising efforts align with the organisation's mission and values.

4. Programme Implementation and Monitoring:

- Establishing and following sound programme implementation procedures to ensure that donations are used effectively for intended purposes.

- Regularly monitoring and evaluating programmes to assess their impact, effectiveness, and compliance with stated objectives.

- Appropriately addressing and rectifying any identified programme deficiencies or concerns.

5. Beneficiary Rights and Welfare:

- Respecting the rights, dignity, and well-being of individuals and communities being served by the organisation.

- Ensuring that donated resources are used to benefit the intended beneficiaries and advance the organisation's social mission.

- Adopting appropriate safeguarding measures to protect beneficiaries from harm, abuse, or exploitation.

6. Governance and Oversight:

- Maintaining a well-functioning governance structure, with clear roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities for board members and management.

- Establishing strong internal controls to prevent fraud, corruption, and misuse of funds.

- Ensuring regular independent reviews or audits to assess adherence to duty of care standards.

7. Partnership and Collaboration:

- Exercising due diligence in selecting partners and collaborators, considering their track record, reputation, and alignment with the organisation's mission.

- Establishing clear agreements and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that partners discharge their responsibilities ethically and effectively.

8. Addressing Complaints and Concerns:

- Establishing a transparent and accessible complaints handling mechanism for individuals or entities affected by the organisation.

- Promptly investigating and addressing any concerns raised, taking appropriate remedial actions as necessary.

9. Continuous Improvement:

- Regularly reviewing and updating policies and procedures to ensure that they align with evolving regulations, best practices, and societal expectations.

- Promoting a culture of continuous improvement and adopting lessons learned from past experiences.

By fulfilling the duty of care, giving organisations demonstrate their commitment to responsible stewardship, transparency, and ethical behaviour, which builds trust and confidence among donors, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders. It also helps organisations mitigate legal and reputational risks and enhances their overall credibility and effectiveness.