Legal Issues for Corporate Fundraisers

14 November 2012

Speaker: Stephanie Biden

Partnerships

not a legal partnership main forms – CRM (charity’s name

associated with business

services)

– Business sponsorship

(business name associated

with charity’s services)

Other forms joint venture – separate legal entity

CRM

Typical Arrangements 5p for every bar of soap sold …….. Bank affinity cards Retailer advertises staff fundraising

CRM

First Thoughts Logo is valuable asset Mutual benefit Be commercial (don’t undervalue) Reputation Suitable partner Due diligence

CRM

More thoughts Risk assessment Ethical guidelines Branding guidelines Corporate will usually be a “commercial

participator”

What is a Commercial Participator?

Any person who:

a) carries on for a gain a business other than a fund-raising business, but

b) in the course of that business, engages in any promotional venture in the course of which it is represented that charitable contributions are to be given to or applied for the benefit of a charitable institution.

Exception: charity trading subsidiaries

Commercial Participator

Where any representation that charitable contributions are to be given to or applied for the benefit of a charitable institution, the representation shall be accompanied by a statement clearly indicating: The name or names of the charities; If more than one, the proportions in which

the charities will benefit; and

The notifiable amount of money paid for goods or services which will be given to the charity;

The notifiable amount of the proceeds of any other promotional venture to be given to the charity; or

The notifiable amount of donations to be given by the commercial participator to the charity.

The notifiable amount may be a total figure.

Commercial Participator Statement

Examples from OTS guidance [X%] of the purchase price will be donated to

[Charity] For each item sold £[ ] will be donated to

[charity] Cabinet office guidance:http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/110668/amended%20guidance%20final.pdf (now archived)

Grey Area – Payment via a Trading Subsidiary

How should the statement be worded if the commercial participator pays some or all of the money via the charity’s trading subsidiary?

The requirement in the Act is to state the amount the charity will receive.

BWB view: No requirement to refer to trading subsidiary if the amount will go to the charity and can be verified.

Penalties

Criminal offences committed by the commercial participator

Weak enforcement

Reputational issues for charity

CRM – Tax implications

CRM = a commercial trade not primary purpose to trade in name/ logo Therefore, any profit will be taxed, unless it

falls within an exemption If not, use a trading company Supply is also subject to VAT, (special case

for banks & insurance companies)

CRM – Contract Issues

The basics What do you/they have to do How much is being paid Is VAT included What are the payment dates When does the contract run from and to

(some repeated below)

CRM – Contract Issues

The detail Who is commercial participator (full details)

- limited company?

- partnership?

- individual? Value of licence (don’t undercharge set policy

minimum?) Exclusivity Beware restrictions on what the funds raised can be

used for

CRM – Contract Issues

What product/service is being sold? (n.b. dangers endorsement or recommendation – vet statements)

Insurance – e.g. TM infringement and product liability

Is there a minimum sum? Is there a maximum sum? When will sums be paid? (clear calculations,

payment methods, payment dates and penalties for late payment)

CRM – Contract Issues

How long will the relationship last? (start and finish dates) Is there agreement for earlier termination? Consequences of termination No variation without agreement (see next slide) does charity/trading company have to allow access to

database or can it have access to corporate’s database? Who will have IP rights to use any revised or new database

or materials? Branding guidelines? Confidentiality CP statement required by law

Business Sponsorship

Introduction: Sponsorship v Philanthropy Sponsorship = reverse of CRM Charity accepts payment Charity does something in return E.g. puts sponsor’s name/logo on materials or

gives hospitality benefits Beware mixed purpose

Business Sponsorship

Direct Tax Issues Profits do not derive from a primary purpose

trade, therefore taxable Consider size and place of sponsor’s logo

VAT issues for charity Simple acknowledgement = no VAT Placement of sponsor’s logo = VATable supply But remember one-off fundraising events

Contractual Sponsorship Issues

Most of the contractual issues previously discussed will apply

Who owns the IP in materials produced (e.g. bank sponsoring new materials on debt)

How is charity to advertise the sponsor’s logo? Does the sponsor also want to advertise their

sponsorship: could they become a commercial participator?

Stephanie Biden

Senior Associate

Charity & Social Enterprise Department

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP

2 – 6 Cannon StreetLondon EC4M 6YH

Tel: 020 7551 7751Fax: 020 7551 7800

Email: s.biden@bwbllp.com Twitter: @StephanieBiden