Partnership screening policy

Approved: June 2024
Version: 2

Our fundraising efforts include actively seeking partnerships with companies, trusts, foundations and major donors.

Policy aims and purpose

Our operations, marketing, fundraising and communication efforts include actively seeking partnerships. So we need to make sure that all of our partnerships bring benefits to Girlguiding, and further the organisation’s purpose.

Our partnership screening policy sets out how we consider the risks and benefits associated with partners. It’s to be used by all Girlguiding volunteers, staff and trustees.

Partners may provide pro bono services, expertise, or income, which can all be considered as a donation. The policy is underpinned by the donation acceptance policy - which is based on the Institute of Fundraising’s guidance - which states that Girlguiding can only refuse donations where a donation is unlawful, or where it would be detrimental to the purposes of Girlguiding, as set out in the Royal Charter. Such detriment (or anticipated detriment) has to be balanced against the benefit of having the funds or other benefits from the partner, which enable Girlguiding to pursue its purposes.

Definitions

• Screening – means risk assessment and due diligence process to determine risks and benefits of a partnership.
• Girlguiding – means the Guide Association (registered charity no.306016) and all local units, countries, regions, counties, divisions and districts.
• Partners – means any other organisation or major donors.

Policy statement

Girlguiding will be clear and transparent about our relationship with the partner.

Partnerships criteria

All partnerships must be in the best interest of the charity and must also meet the following criteria:

• They're aligned with Girlguiding’s vision, mission and values.
• They add value to Girlguiding through funding, awareness raising or knowledge and expertise.
• They're mutually beneficial.

Partners must also meet 1 of the criteria listed below (with the exception of trusts, statutory funders or major donors and legators):

• They're experts in their field and can provide specialist skills, experiences and knowledge that will benefit girls and young women, in line with our strategy.
• They're experts in the field and can provide specialist skills, knowledge and expertise in support of Girlguiding as an organisation.
• They're actively working to improve the gender balance in the workforce helping to ensure girls and young women can pursue any career they choose.
• They can help extend Girlguiding’s reach, relevance and attractiveness to girls, young women, parents and prospective volunteers so Girlguiding can provide great opportunities to more girls.
• They can help to amplify the voices and views of girls and young women on issues that matter to them.
• They can provide tangible rewards and benefits that are of value to girls or adult members which help to celebrate and thank them for their contributions and achievements in Girlguiding.
• They're publicly committed to improving opportunities and/or rights of women and girls and have policies and programmes in place to achieve this.

Risk assessment and due diligence

Girlguiding takes a risk-based approach to partnership screenings. Each screening looks at the benefit to Girlguiding and the benefit to the partner, and assesses the risks to Girlguiding.

Due diligence checks must be completed for partners as part of the screening process. Due diligence checks must be reviewed annually, or on an ad-hoc basis should

Girlguiding be alerted to any significant complaints, adverse media coverage or other significant detrimental factors.

Different risk assessments are available for staff and volunteers.

Change log

No changes.