The Ethical Code | Application Form and License Agreement | How to join the Ethical Code program | Protocol for Complaints |

Why join the Ethical Code Program?

Use of the Ethical Code trustmark clearly demonstrates to your donors and the general public that your charity is committed to ethical fundraising and financial accountability.  The benefits of participating in the program also include:

• Recognition on Imagine Canada’s website and in our annual Maclean’s magazine supplement (download the 2009 supplement) on ethical fundraising.
• Access to resources and assistance designed to help you implement the Ethical Code effectively.
• An invitation to participate in a least one webinar a year on a relevant and timely issue.
• Special recognition as a program participant on CanadaHelps.org.

The Ethical Code also enhances awareness among Boards and staff about fundraising and financial accountability and provides you with a baseline against which you can evaluate your policies and practices.

How do I join?

To participate in the Ethical Code Program, charities must commit to the guidelines in the Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code and submit the following:

• minutes of the meeting at which your board of directors adopted the Ethical Code,
• your most recent annual financial statements,
• your most recent annual report (if available),
• your most recent T3010A or T2052 filing,
• the signed licence agreement to access the trustmark,
• an application form, completed and signed by a representative of your board of directors as well as your Executive Director/CEO, and
• a two-year participation fee based on your total revenue from fundraising and earned income.

Complaints Process

Compliance with the Ethical Code is monitored through a complaints-based process. Members of the public, donors and other stakeholders may lodge a complaint concerning any Program participant. Complainants will be encouraged to discuss their concerns directly with the charity involved. If the situation cannot be resolved in this way, the Ethical Code Committee will receive and review the complaint and deliver sanctions if necessary.

The Ethical Code Committee is an arms-length body comprised of experts in matters related to fundraising and financial reporting. In addition to reviewing complaints, the Committee can informally review practices and answer questions related to the Ethical Code.

The full process to review and manage complaints is laid out in the Protocol for Complaints.

Annual Reporting Process

Each year, participants are required to submit updated financial statements and complete a short report outlining:

• the number/types of complaints received related to the Ethical Code,
• any concerns raised by regulators over the previous year, and,
• confirmation by the Executive Director/CEO that the Code is still in use and that new staff and board members have been provided with a copy.

Biennial renewal

After two years, participants must renew their participation in the Program by:

• passing a new board resolution renewing their commitment to the Code,
• submitting updated financial statements, T3010 filing, and annual report,
• signing a new licence agreement,
• submitting the biennial fee, and
• completing a questionnaire.