Big charities around the world have in recent years grappled with questions about whether or not to accept large donations from controversial sources. While some have continued to accept these funds, concerns about reputational damage or the impact on their causes have led others to turn them down. Last year, for example, Save the Children rejected a significant donation from an oil and gas company. In some cases, charities have returned donations following scandals.
But in the U.K. at least, that right is now under question. Orlando Fraser, the head of the U.K. charity regulator says forthcoming guidance “will compel trustees to think more carefully about returning or refusing donations.” Fraser says he wants to intervene to stop “squeamishness” from charity boards preventing them from accepting large donations from sources that don’t fit with their “personal worldviews,” according to a speech last week.
Fraser did not give examples of the cases he had in mind but said charities must have “significant” justification for refusing money that could otherwise go to a good cause.