Financial Supporters

Counties greatly values the support it receives from individuals, churches and trusts.  We could not fulfill our objectives without the financial and prayer support that we receive from these individuals and organisations. 

Activities: Counties evangelists and staff every year speak in hundreds of churches across the country, and each year many new supporters joined us in the mission by making their first gift to Counties.  We continue to build towards Counties’ future by encouraging new supporters and regular supports.  Counties does not use commercial fundraisers. 

Protection: Counties seeks to be respectful and relational in all our interactions with our supporters.  We seek to build trust with our supporters by being honest and transparent in all our communications.  We acknowledge all gifts (unless we are asked not to) and communicate the impact of donations to supporters through items such as our annual report letter, magazines, e-newsletters and bespoke publications.  Individuals are asked to opt-in to receive communications from Counties, unless they reasonably meet the criteria of legitimate interest, where there is clear specific evidence of their recent interest in our activities.  We provide opportunities for individuals to opt-out from any communications in clear and easy ways.

Gift Aid: Counties seeks to fulfill our objectives by maximising all donations by claiming Gift Aid from HMRC wherever possible. Donors will be asked for a Gift Aid declaration, which will be stored securely. Claims are made to HMRC in line with the requirements of current legislation, including assessing whether a recipient is connected with the donor:
- the wife, husband or civil partner;
- direct relative (brother/sister, mother/father; grandson/granddaughter; grandmother/grandfather);
- the wife, husband or civil partner of a direct relative.

Income: All monies received (cash & cheques) are be recorded promptly and banked as soon as practicablly possible. 

Evangelists’ Gifts: All gifts are passed on in line with the charitable objectives. From time to time we seek to verify gifts to ensure that they are in line with our objectives and do not breach Gift Aid guidance or the Money Laundering directive. Any gift that falls outside these rules may be returned to the donor.

The role of Trustees: Final responsibility for actions under this Policy and our Fundraising Strategy rests with Counties’ trustees, who seek to act in the best interests of the charity. This means trustees will not be influenced by personal moral perspectives or judgement, or derive any personal benefit from funding to the charity. Trustees always declare a conflict of interest where it exists, and an annual trustees conflicts of interest audit is reviewed.

Complaints: It’s our aim that everyone who donates to Counties has an extremely positive experience. However, where this does not happen, and supporters are not be happy with their experience donors should report any complaints to the CEO or chair of Trustees.