We are often asked if other organisations can fundraise or promote their cause in our building. Our main concerns about this are that a range of fundraising asks from many sources could lead to confusion and mistrust of our fundraising approach from our audiences; and that any fundraising which is undertaken is in line with Charity Law and the Fundraising Regulators Code of Practice.

 

For these reasons, no fundraising by other causes is allowed in the Watershed building unless in one of the permitted circumstances below.

 

We have created these guidelines to ensure that clarity around fundraising at Watershed is maintained.

Fundraising for another cause as part of private events

• Fundraising is permitted within the space which has been hired.
• This fundraising cannot spill out in public areas of the building.

 

Selling merchandise for, or general promotion of, another cause in our public spaces, when they are partners on a screening or event in our public programme

• Selling of merchandise where the income from the sale of that item goes to another cause is permitted in our public spaces if it is appropriate to the event and the location in the building and plans are agreed with Watershed in advance.
• General promotion of another cause, which does not involve a direct fundraising ask (for example, if the cause has a pop-up banner which has their website address on) is permitted in our public spaces, if it is appropriate to the event and the location in the building and plans are agreed with Watershed in advance.

 

Direct fundraising asks for another cause in our public spaces or as part of our public programme

Only in exceptional circumstances, and when authorised by a member of the Executive Team, will another organisation be able to make a direct fundraising ask in our public spaces or as part of our public programme. [Please note that cinema advertising promoting another cause may take place but only with approval from the Head of Communications]

The process to be followed in deciding whether direct fundraising can take place is as follows:

1. A request from the cause must be made in writing to Watershed including:

• What is the direct fundraising ask?
• Which cause will receive any donations received?
• When the fundraising direct ask will take place? (on a single date or over a period of time)
• How the direct ask will be made? (including where in the building will it take place)
• How has the cause considered the Fundraising Regulators Code of Practice in planning their direct fundraising ask?

2. This request should be passed to our Development Manager who will review the ask and undertake due diligence.

3. The information will be collated and sent to a member of the Executive Team who will decide whether we permit the fundraising to take place. This decision will be made with these questions in mind:

• Is the direct fundraising ask similar to Watershed’s fundraising ask? Could those receiving the ask have any confusion over where the money will be donated to?
• Is the ask proportionate to the event/way the ask is made?
• Is the ask open, honest, respectful and legal? Has the cause considered the Fundraising Regulators Code of Practice in the design of their direct fundraising ask?
• Is there any reputational or other type of risk to Watershed by allowing it to take place?
• Could it be beneficial to Watershed to allow it to take place? (for example, by increasing audiences or income)

4. The decision should be communicated to the cause in question. If a direct fundraising ask is permitted, these guidelines should be followed:

The direct fundraising ask must be clear about which cause will receive the donations, how they will be used and what will happen if not enough funding is raised for the appeal. People should be clear what will happen if their donation cannot be used for the purpose it is asked for and that the donations are not going to Watershed.

• Fundraising should follow guidelines as set out in the Fundraising Regulators Code of Practice.
• The way the direct fundraising ask will be communicated to others is agreed in advance by Watershed.

 

Our Development Manager can provide support to ensure any direct fundraising asks consider these guidelines.

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