Guidelines on Charities and Causes

Making a Difference Locally – Donations Policy

Purpose

 

This policy outlines the principles and criteria that guide Making a Difference Locally (MADL) in making financial donations to small charities and community groups operating across the UK. The aim is to ensure funds are used effectively and directly benefit local communities.

 

Scope

 

This policy applies to all financial donations made by MADL. It does not cover donations of goods, services, or volunteer time.

 

Introduction

 

Making a Difference Locally is a registered charity (number 1123800) and limited company (number 06502266) established to support UK communities in locations served by partners of Co-op Wholesale.

 

It is governed by a Board of Trustees comprising Co-op employees, Co-op Wholesale independent retail partner(s) and independent individuals not connected to the Co-op Group.  A colleague team of Co-op Wholesale colleagues have delegated responsibility for day-to-day activities.

 

The Trustees govern donation-making through:

 

• Criteria: This policy outlines activities aligned with the charity’s objectives, as well as those excluded. While exceptions may occur, all donations will support legally charitable activities.
• Processes: Clear procedures guide how donations are awarded from different types of funds.

 

Criteria

 

The charity aims to support small grassroots community groups in areas served by Co-op Wholesale’s independent partners.

 

As a registered charity, MADL can only make donations to support activity which is charitable in law. Organisations do not have to be registered charities, but they must adhere to the following criteria:

 

·       Operate within 10 miles of the partner’s store (when being supported by a single-site independent retailer)

·       Operate not for profit and for the benefit of the wider community

·       Have a dedicated bank account for the cause

·       Be transparent and accountable; all organisations must be able to confirm what any donation would be used for on request.  There are no minimum or maximum turnover restrictions for the charity or cause, but donations are preferred for smaller charities where funding will have a greater impact.

 

 

 

 

 

All donations must support delivery of the charity’s vision of building stronger local communities, where everyone has equal access to:

 

·       Good health and wellbeing

·       Education and Employment

·       Shelter and Security

·       Good food and nutrition

 

Making MADL a catalyst for sustainable change and leaving a lasting legacy.

 

Co-op Wholesale and Making a Difference Locally are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. All donation recipients must reflect these values, ensuring their work is inclusive and accessible to all.

 

Donation Process

 

Trustees aim for the Charity’s donation-making processes to be transparent and to address the interests of all Co-op Wholesale partners and the wishes of the funder.  All eligible donation requests follow this process:

 

Partners can request a donation to be made whenever there are sufficient funds in their store’s virtual account; there is no minimum/maximum donation. 

 

Partners must log into www.makingadifferencelocally.com and submit the required information, including the contact details of their desired recipient.  MADL admin contacts the recipient to

determine information which will confirm whether or not they comply with the rules set out in this Policy. 

 

The recipient must respond to MADL’s request in writing either by email or letter.  All responses are saved against each request and are subject to annual audit by independent auditors. 

 

If partners do not choose a cause to support each year the MADL team will, after giving advance notice, remove all funds from accounts and pool into a funding giveaway that all partners may enter.

 

All donations are put through the www.makingadifferencelocally.com electronic system and on a weekly basis MADL administration collates donation requests and raises a donation batch to be circulated to Trustees for approval.

 

Trustees must give their approval of donations in writing.  When more than 50% of Trustees have given approval it is passed to Co-op Wholesale Finance to pay the donations via BACS direct to the nominated charities or good causes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trustees reserve the right not to approve any donation if they determine that the resulting donation would not be charitable, would conflict with the charity’s stated policies or damage its reputation.

 

Exclusions

 

Donation requests which the Trustees will not support are:

 

·       Funding for an individual

·       Any group which is involved in the abuse of human rights

·       Any group which discriminates on the grounds of race, sexual orientation, religion, gender, disability or age

·       Any group which causes harm to animals for the purposes of either entertainment or sport

·       Any group that will spend the funds directly in a partner’s store;

·       Any group that sends its funds out of the UK

·       Any group that has a clear conflict of interest

·       Onward making grant-giving organisations

·       Police Community Clubs or any related parties

·       Sponsorships or marketing partnerships

·       Unsolicited requests for support

 

There is no minimum donation limit.  Partners cannot donate more than they have funds available.

 

Exceptions

 

MADL may consider donations to onward making grant giving organisations (such as Rotary Clubs, smaller corporate foundations) if:

The organisation provides a clear and detailed explanation of how the funds will be used and agrees to include a. the supporting retailer/store and b. Making a Difference Locally as the funder.

The proposed use aligns with MADL’s mission to make a direct difference in UK communities.

The Trustees are satisfied that the donation will result in tangible, local impact.

 

Donations to fund UK school or under-18’s sports clubs’ trips or special events taking place oversees are acceptable if the retailer/charity/cause can demonstrate that the beneficiaries of the charity are located in the UK and the benefits of any such donation would be to the participants. 

 

Dormant Funds

 

If a partner leaves Nisa Retail and the store has a charity fund remaining, the funding shall be donated to the most recent cause to receive a donation if the donation was within the previous six months.  If there had been no such donation then the Trustees shall decide where to donate the funds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 1        

 

The Charities Act 2011 defines a charitable purpose, explicitly, as one that falls within 13 descriptions of purposes and is for the public benefit.

 

1.       The prevention or relief of poverty

2.       The advancement of education

3.       The advancement of religion

4.       The advancement of health or the saving of lives

5.       The advancement of citizenship or community development

6.       The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science

7.       The advancement of amateur sport

8.       The advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity

9.       The advancement of environmental protection or improvement

10.   The relief of those in need, by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage

11.   The advancement of animal welfare

12.   The promotion of the efficiency of the armed forces of the Crown, or of the efficiency of the police, fire and rescue services or ambulance services

13.   Any other charitable purpose