Fundraising promise

Arthritis steals from millions of people every day

It takes away their independence, ability to work, family life – the things most of us take for granted.

Alongside volunteers, healthcare professionals, researchers and friends, we do everything we can to push back against arthritis. Together, we’ll continue to develop breakthrough treatments, campaign relentlessly for arthritis to be seen as a priority, and support each other whenever we need it.

This vital work is only possible because of the generous donations of people like you. To have the maximum possible impact for people with arthritis, it’s crucial we make the most of a range of fundraising opportunities. It’s also vital we fundraise in a way that’s honest, respectful, fair and meets the highest standards of the charity sector. So here is our fundraising promise to you:

We commit to high standards

  • We keep strictly to the Code of Fundraising Practice – the recognised standards for all charitable fundraising.
  • We monitor fundraisers, volunteers and other groups who work with us to raise money, to make sure they comply with the Code of Fundraising Practice and with this Fundraising Promise.
  • We fully comply with the laws covering charities and fundraising.
  • We display the Fundraising Regulator badge on our fundraising material to show we’re committed to good practice.

We’re clear, honest and open

  • We tell the truth and don’t exaggerate.
  • We do what we say we’re going to do with your donations.
  • We’re clear about who we are and what we do.
  • We explain clearly how you can make a gift and change a regular donation.
  • When we ask other people or organisations to fundraise for us, we’re open and honest about this relationship and the financial arrangement involved.
  • If we’re asked about our fundraising costs, we can explain why they’re needed and how they’re in the best interests of people with arthritis (see pages 33-38 of our annual report).
  • Our feedback and complaints process is clear and easily accessible.
  • We are open about the reasons behind any decisions we make in response to complaints.

We’re respectful

  • We always respect your rights and privacy.
  • We won’t put undue pressure on you to make a gift. If you don’t want to give or you want to stop giving, we’ll respect your decision.
  • We’re particularly aware of the need to communicate sensitively with people in vulnerable circumstances and have a procedure for doing so, which is available on request.
  • Where the law requires, we’ll get your consent before we contact you to ask for a donation.
  • If you tell us you don’t want us to contact you in a particular way, we won’t. We make sure that those who choose not to receive specific types of communication don’t have to.

We’re fair and reasonable

  • We manage our resources responsibly and consider the impact of our fundraising on our donors, supporters and the wider public (again, see pages 33-38 of our annual report).
  • If you’re unhappy with anything we’ve done while fundraising, you can contact us to make a complaint. We’ll listen to your feedback and respond appropriately to the compliments and criticism you give us.
  • You can find our complaints procedure here or can give us any feedback directly at supportercare@versusarthritis.org or on 0300 790 0444.
  • We always record and investigate any complaints we receive in line with our Feedback Procedures. We record the details of all complaints and investigations in line with the requirements of the Code of Fundraising Practice. This allows us to submit an annual report on the number of complaints we’ve had over the year to the Fundraising Regulator.
  • If you feel we haven’t responded properly to a complaint, our complaints procedure tells you how to contact the Fundraising Regulator.
  • We monitor and record the number of complaints we receive each year and share this information with the Fundraising Regulator on request.

How we fundraise

At Versus Arthritis, we raise the money we need to support people with arthritis in a wide variety of ways, including through:

  • Requests for regular donations, raffles, lotteries and appeals by post.
  • Supporting people to participate in our challenge events – from running the London Marathon to Knitting challenge.
  • Community fundraising by our network of branches, groups and individual fundraisers.
  • People who generously leave gifts in their will.
  • Those who give in memory of a loved one.
  • People who fundraise for us as they celebrate a special occasion.
  • Working with companies to raise money and spread our message.
  • Being awarded grants by trusts, foundations, philanthropists, lottery and statutory bodies.

Responsibility for Fundraising at Versus Arthritis

The Director of Income and Engagement – supported by the Fundraising Compliance Manager – has overall responsibility for ensuring our fundraising meets with best practice.

Professional memberships and registrations

As well as the Code of Fundraising Practice there are several regulatory and advisory bodies that influence and inform best practice in fundraising. Versus Arthritis is a member of, or registered with, the following organisations:

  • The Charity Commission for England and Wales
  • The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
  • The Office of The Scottish Charity Regulator
  • The Chartered Institute of Fundraising
  • The Fundraising Regulator
  • The Fundraising Preference Service
  • The Gambling Commission.
  • The Lotteries Council
  • The Data and Marketing Association

The Fundraising Regulator

Versus Arthritis is proud to be registered with the Fundraising Regulator, the independent regulator of charitable fundraising. The Fundraising Regulator aims to strengthen the system of charity fundraising and restore public trust in fundraising.