About Development

• Donor Charter

  University of St Andrews Donor Charter

  The University of St Andrews is committed to its donors and remains dedicated to treating alumni, friends and all supporters with the highest level of care and respect. This donor charter has been produced to assure donors and prospective donors of the integrity and accountability of the University's Development activities and that all members of staff will strive to achieve the highest professional standards at all times.

  Rights of Donors & Prospective Donors

  Donors and prospective donors have the following rights:

  • To be treated by members of the Development Team, volunteers and other University staff involved with the solicitation and receipt of donations in a fair, transparent, accurate and honest manner in accordance with all applicable laws and the professional code of fundraising ethics and good practice.

  • To be informed in all fundraising solicitations of the University's name, contact details and charitable status.

  • To receive fundraising solicitations and stewardship reports from the University that are truthful, accurately describe the University's activities and the intended / actual uses of donated funds.

  • To receive appropriate and timely acknowledgment, recognition, and publicity for their donation in accordance with the donors' wishes.

  • To be consulted swiftly if their donation cannot be used for its intended purpose and have it repaid if agreement cannot be reached within a short period of time for an alternative use.

  • To be kept informed of the impact of their philanthropy and the University's evolving needs and priorities. This includes receiving progress reports on supported activity and invitations to attend relevant events to see first hand the benefits their support brings the University.

  • To be assured that donors' rights to privacy and confidentiality will be respected with all donor records kept secure and that there will be full compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Donors will have the right to see their own donor record and to challenge its accuracy.

  • To be asked in writing for permission to be cited in case studies and other promotional material (including photographs) prior to publication.

  • To have their support treated as anonymous if requested.

  • To have their details removed from the University's alumni and fundraising database or the number / type of solicitations limited if so requested.

  • To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the University or financial / legal advisors.

  • That the University will not sell its donor list.

  • The Principal / University Court will review the cost effectiveness of the University's fundraising programme regularly.

  • To have access to the University's most recent published financial accounts and be assured that the University's financial affairs are be conducted in a responsible manner, consistent with the ethical obligations of stewardship and legal requirements of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

  • The University will respond within 30 days to a complaint by a donor or prospective donor about any matter relating to the University's alumni or fundraising activities. A member of the Development Office will attempt to satisfy the complainant's concerns in the first instance. A complainant who remains dissatisfied will be informed that he/she may appeal in writing to The Principal / University Court who will respond to this appeal within a further 30 days.

  • The Principal / University Court will be informed annually of the number, type and disposition of complaints received from donors or prospective donors about matters that are addressed in this charter.

  For more information please contact the Head of Development Operations on 01334 462113 or email to develop@st-andrews.ac.uk

  The Principal / University Court

• Sustainable Giving Policy

  University of St Andrews Sustainable Giving Policy

  The Sustainable Giving policy will adopt the principles of the University's Sustainable and Socially Responsible Investment policy with respect to the ongoing promotion of a sustainable and socially responsible investment strategy.

  The Sustainable Giving policy must, above all, respect and protect the University's reputation and ongoing awareness of its own corporate social responsibility. To this effect, the University will only engage in partnerships that mirror its own sustainability and in turn, accept philanthropic gifts and/or sponsorship agreements from companies operating in a sustainable and socially responsible way. Therefore, the following criteria should be considered when entering into any discussion of this nature, although the list should not be seen as exhaustive:

  • Promotion of human rights, including but not limited to the equality of gender, race and sexuality;
  • Promotion of good business ethics and good employment practices;
  • Protection of the global environment, its climate and its biodiversity;
  • Promotion of community investment;
  • Promotion of international co-operation and an end to international conflict, including a prohibition of companies who produce armaments as their core business;
  • Sustainable provision and procurement of essential resources and services;
  • Prohibition of companies who produce tobacco and tobacco-related products.;
  • Prohibition of companies which test on animals purely for cosmetic purposes.

  In this context, the Development Office will continue to take a pro-active approach to developing sustainable and socially responsible relationships with a wide range of companies and organisations, offering a tailor-made agreement that fulfils a number of key objectives.

  For more information please contact the Head of Development Operations on 01334 462113 or email develop@st-andrews.ac.uk

  Updated January 2009.