Torch of Hope

13 Oct

Dublin
Torch of Hope

What Corporate Governance does ARC have in place?

ARC Cancer Support Centres is a registered charitable organisation (charity number CHY 10857 assigned by the Revenue Commissioners and Charity Registration Number 20028428 assigned by the Charities Regulatory Authority) and a company limited by guarantee with a voluntary Board of Directors, none of whom receive any fees or expenses for their work or time. Its registered address is 65 Eccles Street, Dublin 7.

Responsibility for the day-to-day management is delegated by the Board to the CEO who is supported by the staff and volunteers. ARC believes that trust and public confidence is vital in ensuring that we can continue to carry out our mission to support people affected by cancer. We are committed to making every effort to ensure that our activities are open and transparent and that donations and grants are spent in the most effective way possible.

Accordingly, ARC is registered with the Charities Regulator which oversees the Charities Governance Code, has developed a Donor Charter, and is signed up to the Charity Regulator’s Fundraising Guidelines. Our accounts are independently audited annually by Somers, Murphy & Earl Limited.

For more information on the Charities Governance Code click here.
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Commitment to Standards in Fundraising Practice

ARC Cancer Support Centres are fully committed to achieving the standards contained within the Charity Regulator’s Fundraising Guidelines. The basis for these 'Guidelines' is in the 2008 Statement of Guiding Principles on Charitable Fundraising (the 'Statement'), that was developed by a steering group established in response to the Charities Act 2009 following extensive consultation with industry experts and stakeholders led by the Irish Charities Tax Reform Group (now Charities Institute Ireland).

The Fundraising Guidelines exist to:

  • Improve fundraising practice

  • Promote high levels of accountability and transparency by organisations fundraising from the public

  • Provide clarity and assurances to donors and prospective donors about the organisations that they support

ARC has considered the Fundraising Guidelines and believe it meets the standards set out.

Annual Reports & Financial Statements

Disclosure Statement

ARC is open about whether those seeking donations on its behalf are volunteers or employees of the organisation.

Anyone fundraising on behalf of ARC must ensure that prospective donors are aware of their status, i.e. volunteers.

A letter of authorization is given to volunteers fundraising on our behalf and staff will provide their details if requested.

 

ARC Donor Charter

At ARC, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of honesty, integrity, respect, transparency, and accountability in all our interactions with donors and the public. This charter outlines our commitments to ensure that donors can have full confidence in how we run our organisation.

Our Commitments to You, Our Donors and Prospective Donors:

Honesty and Integrity

  1. Purposeful Use of Donations:
    • Charitable donations and gifts will be used strictly for the purposes for which they were donated.
  2. Integrity in Fundraising:
    • Our fundraisers will act with integrity and will not misrepresent the charity, its need for funds, or how the funds will be applied.
  3. Accessible Information:
    • Information about ARC’s charitable purpose and activities will be made freely available.
  4. Transparent Fundraising Practices:
    • Questions about fundraising activities and costs will be answered honestly and in a timely manner.
    • All fundraising efforts will be conducted in an honest and truthful manner.

Respect

  1. Respecting Rights and Dignity:
    • All fundraising activities will respect the rights and dignity of donors, beneficiaries, and the public.
  2. Ethical Representation:
    • Beneficiaries will not be presented in a disrespectful way in promotional activities. Where possible and appropriate, clients and beneficiaries will have input into our promotional strategies.
  3. Considerate Fundraising:
    • Fundraising activities will not be unreasonably persistent, intrusive, or place undue pressure on individuals to donate. Should someone choose not to donate or wish to cease donating, that decision will be respected.

Transparency and Accountability

  1. Clear Identification:
    • ARC will clearly identify to donors and the public the cause for which fundraising is occurring and how donations will and are being used.
  2. Complaint Procedures:
    • We will have clear procedures in place to address complaints, which will be easily accessible on the ARC website.
  3. Open Operations:
    • ARC will operate in an open, frank, and honest manner, ensuring that transactions, operations, information, and communications are easily understood by donors and the public alike.
  4. Accessible Communication:
    • We will provide ways for those interested to easily contact ARC, ensuring open lines of communication.
  5. Responsibility and Accountability:
    • ARC will take responsibility for its actions and will be capable of explaining, clarifying, and justifying those actions.
    • Our trustees and management will explain and account to donors and the public for the charity’s actions.
  6. Privacy and Data Protection:
    • Donors will have the opportunity to have their names deleted from mailing lists, and we will not share donor details with third parties. ARC respects the donor’s right to privacy.
  7. Receipts for Donations:
    • Donors will always receive a receipt for any cash donations given by a member of the public. Volunteers or staff members will record the donor's name, address, and the amount donated.
  8. Responsive Communication:
    • Donors will receive prompt, truthful, and forthright answers to any questions about our organization.

Thank you for your invaluable support. Your trust and contributions are vital to the success of our mission.