The Donor Charter outlines the university’s stewardship policy. The Charter sets out the standards donors can expect from the CUF/university and adheres to the tenets of the Donor Bill of Rights, the Charities Act 2009 and the Charities Regulator.

1. All communications made to potential donors concerning a project will be honest, truthful and comply with the law.
   
   
2. The donor’s right to privacy will be respected in accordance with GDPR/data protection legislation.
   
   
3. The CUF/university will not accept an “anonymous” gift over €1000 without the Director of Business Development & Advancement and at least two of the following people (President, Corporate Secretary, the Chief Financial & Operating Officer, Chair of Cork University Foundation or Chair of Governing Authority) being aware of the source of the donation. Donors, who request anonymity, will be respected (i.e. the university will not publish their name on a donor list).
   
   
4. The gift will be acknowledged promptly and applied for the purpose for which it was originally requested, unless explicit written consent is given otherwise by the donor, or, in the case of legacies/bequests, for the purposes described in the donor’s will or for similar purposes agreed with the individual’s executors.
   
   
5. The university/CUF will not normally return a gift which has been accepted in good faith. If a situation arises which gives the need to review a previous decision to accept a gift, the matter will be referred to the President and Chair of Cork University Foundation to agree to the next steps. If, following a conversation, the university cannot honour the terms of the gift, and a compromise cannot be reached with the donor, CUF/the university will refund the gift to the donor, their estate or legal representative as appropriate.
   
   
6. The gift will be handled responsibly, to the greatest advantage of the beneficiary and without disadvantage to the university.
   
   
7. The donor’s personal data will be respected, and there will be transparency in the university’s communications with its donors.
   
   
8. The university/CUF will thank and recognise the donor appropriately, including issuing official gift receipts, gift agreements or other documents where required.
   
   
9. From time to time, the university may offer to recognise a gift or a gift-in-kind by naming the object of the donation (i.e. part or all of a capital project) after the donor. Such offers will be subject to the guidelines of the UCC Naming Policy (currently under review).
   
   
10. Adequate records of all gifts will be maintained on the Raisers’ Edge NXT/Advancement database to allow a proper audit trail.
    
    
11. The university will not sell its donor list.
    
    
12. Any concerns raised in relation to the above points will be dealt with swiftly and effectively by the Director of Business Development & Advancement/CEO of Cork University Foundation.
    
    
13. In addition, a donor will be fully informed of CUF, contact details, charitable status and the identity of those individuals serving on the board. Gifts are subject to an annual audit by a firm of independent auditors. Anyone fundraising on behalf of CUF or UCC will be subject to a written agreement between both parties. If agent fees are to be paid to the third party from the donation this will be declared to the potential donor from the outset.