Fundraising Policy

UNWA Fundraising Policy

Last updated: 1 July 2025

Purpose

The United Nations Women’s Association (UNWA) is committed to raising funds ethically, transparently, and in a manner that upholds the dignity of those we serve. This policy outlines our approach to fundraising in compliance with Australian legislation and international fundraising standards, including guidelines from the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), the Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA) Code of Conduct, and the International Statement of Ethical Principles in Fundraising.

Scope

This policy applies to all UNWA staff, volunteers, board members, contractors, and partners involved in any fundraising activity, whether in Australia or internationally.

Key Principles

1. Integrity and Transparency

• All fundraising activities will be conducted honestly, transparently, and with integrity.

• Donors will receive clear, truthful information about UNWA’s mission, how funds are used, and the impact of their contributions.

• Financial and fundraising records will be accurate and available for public accountability through our annual reports and financial statements.

2. Ethical Practices

• We will never pressure anyone to give and will respect a donor’s right to decline or withdraw support.

• Donor information will be protected in accordance with the UNWA Privacy Policy and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

• UNWA does not sell or rent donor data.

• We avoid exploitative or sensational content in our fundraising materials.

3. Use of Funds

• All donations will be used for the purposes for which they were raised.

• In rare cases where a project becomes oversubscribed or cannot proceed, funds will be directed to a similar project or area of greatest need.

• UNWA commits to low administrative costs to ensure maximum impact in the field.

4. Donor Rights

Donors have the right to:

• Know how their donations are used

• Receive prompt acknowledgment and receipts

• Choose how often and in what way they hear from us

• Remain anonymous, if they wish

• Request access to their personal data

• Lodge a complaint and expect it to be addressed promptly

Compliance and Legal Frameworks

UNWA complies with:

• Fundraising laws in all Australian states and territories, including licensing and reporting requirements

• ACNC governance standards

• FIA Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics

• Anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) obligations

• Australian Consumer Law regarding advertising and donor communication

• International humanitarian fundraising guidelines, including adherence to the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and Sphere Standards

Third-Party Fundraisers and Partners

Any individual or organization fundraising on behalf of UNWA must:

• Have prior written approval from UNWA

• Adhere to this Fundraising Policy and all relevant laws

• Be transparent about their relationship with UNWA

• Accurately represent the purpose of the fundraising effort

Monitoring and Review

• This policy is reviewed every two years or sooner if required by regulatory changes.

• UNWA will monitor fundraising campaigns for compliance, quality, and donor feedback.

• Complaints about fundraising practices can be submitted confidentially to:
  📧 director@unwa.agency

Complaints and Feedback

We value feedback and are committed to resolving any concerns quickly and respectfully. If you have a complaint about a fundraising activity, please contact us via:

🌐 www.unwa.agency
📧 director@unwa.agency

Final Statement

UNWA believes fundraising is a partnership of trust between the organisation and its supporters. We commit to maintaining this trust through transparency, accountability, and ethical practice—ensuring every donation helps build a more just and equitable world for women, children, and vulnerable communities.

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