How we're funded

We are registered with the Fundraising Regulator. Thereby we agree to ensure our fundraising is legal, open, honest and respectful. The standards for fundraising are set out in the Code of Fundraising Practice. 

We will commit to high standards 

• We will adhere to the Fundraising Code of Practice. 

• We will monitor fundraisers, volunteers and third parties working with us to raise funds, to ensure that they comply with the Code of Fundraising Practice and with this Promise. 

• We will comply with the law as it applies to charities and fundraising. 

• We will display the Fundraising Regulator badge on our fundraising material to show we are committed to good practice. 

We will be clear, honest and open 

• We will tell the truth and we will not exaggerate. 

• We will do what we say we are going to do with donations we receive. 

• We will be clear about who we are and what we do. 

• We will give a clear explanation of how you can make a gift and change a regular donation. 

• Where we ask a third party to fundraise on our behalf, we will make this relationship and the financial arrangement transparent. 

• We will be able to explain our fundraising costs and show how they are in the best interests of our cause if challenged. 

• We will ensure our complaints process is clear and easily accessible. 

• We will provide clear and evidence-based reasons for our decisions on complaints. 

We will be respectful 

• We will respect your rights and privacy. 

• We will not put undue pressure on you to make a gift. If you do not want to give or wish to cease giving, we will respect your decision. 

• We will have a procedure for dealing with people in vulnerable circumstances and it will be available on request. 

• Where the law requires, we will get your consent before we contact you to fundraise. 

• If you tell us that you don’t want us to contact you in a particular way we will not do so. We will work with the Telephone, Mail and Fundraising Preference Services to ensure that those who choose not to receive specific types of communication don’t have to. 

We will be fair and reasonable 

• We will treat donors and the public fairly, showing sensitivity and adapting our approach depending on your needs. 

• We will take care not to use any images or words that intentionally cause distress or anxiety. 

• We will take care not to cause nuisance or disruption to the public. 

We will be accountable and responsible 

• We will manage our resources responsibly and consider the impact of our fundraising on our donors, supporters and the wider public. 

• If you are unhappy with anything we’ve done whilst fundraising, you can contact us to make a complaint. We will listen to feedback and respond appropriately to compliments and criticism we receive. 

• We will have a complaints procedure, a copy of which will be available on our website or available on request. 

• Our complaints procedure will let you know how to contact the Fundraising Regulator in the event that you feel our response is unsatisfactory. 

• We will monitor and record the number of complaints we receive each year and share this data with the Fundraising Regulator on request.   

Cheshire Wildlife Trust works to ensure that exceptional standards of supporter care are delivered across its supporter base at all times. We want an environment where wildlife can move freely through the landscape, where wild places are valued, protected and well managed; where a healthy environment provides services to society; and where the next generation can enjoy a rich diversity of plants, animals and habitats near where they live.  We cannot achieve this without the help of our supporters. 

We recognise the true value of each and every supporter  

• Our supporters are the most valuable asset we have. 

• Every donation we receive matters to us, regardless of how big or small it is. 

We respect our supporter 

• We respect the opinions and beliefs of our supporters. 

• We are honest and transparent at all times.  We admit it when we put things right. 

• We deliver what we say we're going to deliver. 

• If someone tells us that they don't want to be contacted in a certain way, we take notice and honour the request. 

We value supporter relationships 

• We engage with our supporters in an empathetic, understanding and fair way. 

• Our people take ownership of every contact they have with our supporters.  

• We see people as individuals, not numbers. 

• We treat every new person who contacts us as a valued supporter. As a result, we develop new and long-lasting relationships. 

We know who our supporters are 

• All of our communications reflect and take into account the preferences and opinions of our valued supporters. 

• We know how our supporters respond to certain methods of fundraising and how they like to be communicated with. 

We listen to your feedback 

• Our supporters’ opinions and feedback are always taken into account during the planning stage of any of our campaigns. 

• We are here to talk and to listen - we welcome and actively encourage feedback and make it clear how people can get in touch with us. 

• We regularly use this feedback both to improve and enhance our fundraising campaigns. 

We go “The Extra Mile” 

• We aim to exceed your expectations with the level of service we provide. 

We are members of the Fundraising Standards Board, the self-regulator of fundraising in the UK. This means that The Cheshire Wildlife Trust is committed to best practice in fundraising and follows the Fundraising Promise and the Institute of Fundraising’s Code of Fundraising Practice.