Charity turns down donation, now legal threat

roverchippy

Hi,

I wont name any charity so nothing can be identified.

having a bit of an issue. We are raising money for charity, as we are driving to mongolia, in a unsuitable car.

Basically, over 3 months ago now, we contacted the charity explaining what we wanted to do, and that we wanted to raise money for them.

They were very happy, and since then we have been in regular contact, and all has been going well. We have got all the licences, and all was ready to do some fund-raising. We had secured a busy shopping centre, and various other places - all which took hours and hours of very hard work to arrange.

Anyway - 3 months down the line, a few days before our big event, we got an email stating that they don't want us to raise money for them any more (all we asked for was some leaflets, the first time we have asked them to do anything!)

What are we to do with the money raised so far? They wont accept the money - yet we can hardly just send it off to another charity can we? Another thing is that the fundraising account is locked to their bank account...so it hasnt gone in there yet, but it cant easily be moved to another charity for security reasons.

They have told us that we need to remove any mention of their name off our website (which is understandable), but also every other publicly available media, such as our blog, our facebook page and everything else with is near impossible! It has been on every post so far, as is completely unreasonable to ask that surely!?

They have said we have 48 hours to do so...

What will happen if we dont? we dont mind changing it over to a new charity on our website, and explaining on facebook - but removing every post would absolutely ruin everything we have built up so far.

We put so much effort in to getting as many thousands of pounds for that charity as possible - so many hours of hard work, and their excuse is "this was the first time our charity was approached by independent fundraisers."

they are normally funded by children in need, and national lottery fund - of which they receive hundred of thousands per year. Maybe our 3-4k wasnt worth the hassle?

its all very upsetting, as all the money we have spent so far for the fundrasing and licences have gone to waste - but where do we stand with removing everything with their name on, and the money we have raised so far.

Its basically a charity - that doesnt want money...

Thanks to all that reply

elsien

roverchippy wrote: »

Hi,

They have told us that we need to remove any mention of their name off our website (which is understandable), but also every other publicly available media, such as our blog, our facebook page and everything else with is near impossible! It has been on every post so far, as is completely unreasonable to ask that surely!?

They have said we have 48 hours to do so...or what? If they've not mentioned a specific sanction then my guess would be they're not entirely sure where they stand themselves. What reason have they given for not wanting your involvement any more?


its all very upsetting, as all the money we have spent so far for the fundrasing and licences have gone to waste - but where do we stand with removing everything with their name on, and the money we have raised so far. Can you go to the charities commission to ask the questions about how to transfer the money raised to another charity? If you give people the option of having their donation back or allowing it to go elsewhere, that may be sufficient and then your time and effort won't have gone to waste.

Could it be possible they've got the wrong end of the stick somewhere and are concerned about you bringing them into disrepute somehow, or it could go pear-shaped and they might reap the bad publicity? Not saying that is at all the case, just trying to consider another perspective as it does seem a bit odd otherwise.
But taking your name off everything within 48 hours? From a lay perspective that does not sound reasonable.

roverchippy

elsien wrote: »

Could it be possible they've got the wrong end of the stick somewhere and are concerned about you bringing them into disrepute somehow, or it could go pear-shaped and they might reap the bad publicity? Not saying that is at all the case, just trying to consider another perspective as it does seem a bit odd otherwise.
But taking your name off everything within 48 hours? From a lay perspective that does not sound reasonable.

thanks so much for your reply. They were absolutely happy with it, and thought it was a good idea. All we wanted was to raise money for them - they way they were talking was that it wasnt worth their time -although they didnt say that if you see what i mean.

All we did to trigger this was to ask for a high res version of their logo to be placed on our car (already discussed) and some leaflets so people knew what we were raising money for.

If we had to remove everything with a mension of there name - it would ruin everything. Facebook wont allow us to edit the posts for example (as they are auto posts from our blog) so everything would have to be deleted

Its crazy - you try so hard to do something amazing for young children, and they do this with no pre warning, meaning we have had to cancel about 12 events - most pre paid and all have spaces reserved. Getting into a very busy shopping center, and getting all the licences needed was days and days work - for them to do this...seem crazy

just wish they told us earlier

Thanks for your help

Savvy_Sue

elsien wrote: »

Could it be possible they've got the wrong end of the stick somewhere and are concerned about you bringing them into disrepute somehow, or it could go pear-shaped and they might reap the bad publicity? Not saying that is at all the case, just trying to consider another perspective as it does seem a bit odd otherwise.

That's my suspicion, someone's sussed the mention of the 'unsuitable car' and is worried about what happens if it all goes wrong somehow.

Also it's possible that although you've been in touch with someone at the charity, one of the trustees has just got wind of it and become concerned.

I'm just wondering if you had anything in writing from them at any time?

I can understand why they are asking for their charity's name to be removed, because there is the (very real) risk of them getting bad publicity from the message "Charity A didn't want our money so now we are raising funds for Charity B".

It is the practicalities of doing so!

imho

But if they are already funded by National Lottery and Children in Need why did you want to raise money for them? Isnt there a small charity near where you live that would love the cash you raise or a child that needs a operation that the NHS wont provide and needs to go abroad to have it done.I know what one i would pick to donate cash to.

Savvy_Sue

imho wrote: »

But if they are already funded by National Lottery and Children in Need why did you want to raise money for them? Isnt there a small charity

Both these organisations ask where the rest of your funding needs are coming from, so neither expects to be either the sole funder or the only other of two. Also I don't think you have to be a massive charity to receive funding from either.

Jobseeeker

I used to volunteer for a charity and I remember a member of public phoned and said they were doing a skydive. Someone higher up phoned them back and told them charity didn't want to be associated with anything dangerous, didn't want the bad press if anyone died etc

moggymutt

My guess is that it's due to insurance issues.

pleasedelete

Are you really fund raising? Will 100% per cent of the money given go to the charity or if you raise £10,000 will 8.5K go to cover your costs (or pay for your holiday) and just a small amount go to charity?

If so that may be the reason- most givers have had enough of the 'i want a jolly good holiday at your expense' type giving and I would look very favourably on a charity that wanted none of it.

If you are paying 100% of all costs personally and fund raising along the way then that is great.

CKhalvashi

pleasedelete wrote: »

Are you really fund raising? Will 100% per cent of the money given go to the charity or if you raise £10,000 will 8.5K go to cover your costs (or pay for your holiday) and just a small amount go to charity?

If so that may be the reason- most givers have had enough of the 'i want a jolly good holiday at your expense' type giving and I would look very favourably on a charity that wanted none of it.

If you are paying 100% of all costs personally and fund raising along the way then that is great.

I'd say a reasonable allowance for fuel/insurance would be ok here, but anything over that is pushing it.

One of our ex-taxis (which had nearly 600k miles and was '03' plate, so too old to re-plate with our council) was donated to the Mongol challenge last year, to two local mechanics, raising money for two local charities (one for housing, one for disability), with the strict clause (by us in donating the car) that the first 25p/mile was for the running of the car, anything over that going to charity, so I can't see any problem with an expense like that. The first £2000-ish went to the guys that did the challenge (and £1100 of that was spent on fuel alone), and the other £17000 went straight into charity funds.

What additional reasons have the charity given? I'd have thought that the local press attention this would probably receive, along with your efforts would go in any small charity's (sp?) favour, if I'm honest.

CK

oldtoolie

I would suggest that you seek a face to face meeting with the charity to find out why they changed their position, if possible with the manager of the person you have had dealings with. Be polite and accept it if they do not change their minds.

If you have been open about what you have been doing without misleading your donors in anyway, I can't see how the charity could force you to remove any mention that you have been fundraising for them.

If you are at an impasse with the charity, you will have to switch to a new charity. I would recommend informing your donors that you are doing that and offering a refund if they are unhappy.

Then announce on your website and social media that due to circumstances beyond your control, you are fundraising for a different charity.