Statement of Compliance with Guidelines for Charitable Organisations Fundraising from the Public

The Asthma Society of Ireland is fully committed to achieving the standards contained within the Guidelines for Charitable Organisations, Fundraising from the Public 

The Statement of Compliance with Guidelines for charitable Organisations Fundraising from the Public exists to:

  • Improve fundraising practice
  • Promote high levels of accountability and transparency by organisations fundraising from the public
  • Provide clarity and assurances to donors and prospective donors about the organisations they support

We, the Asthma Society of Ireland have considered these guidelines and believe we meet the standards it sets out.

A report on our fundraising activities is available in our Annual Report which can be found here.

We welcome your feedback on our performance, for details of how to contact us with feedback please see our Feedback and Complaints Procedure (below).


Public Compliance Statement

  • The Asthma Society of Ireland (ASI) is committed to complying with The Statement of Compliance with Guidelines for charitable Organisations Fundraising from the Public and has formally discussed and adopted the Statement at a meeting of the governing body.
  • ASI confirms its commitment to the principles set out in the Statement of Compliance with Guidelines for charitable Organisations Fundraising from the Public by a statement to that effect in its annual report.
  • ASI has a Donor Charter which is consistent with the Statement of Compliance with Guidelines for charitable Organisations Fundraising from the Public
  • ASI regularly monitors compliance with the The Statement of Compliance with Guidelines for charitable Organisations Fundraising from the Public and compliance reports are received regularly by the governing body.
  • ASI considers The Statement of Compliance with Guidelines for charitable Organisations Fundraising from the Public when planning all fundraising activity.
  • ASI has a policy on working with third party fundraisers (if applicable).
  • ASI provides honest, open and transparent disclosure when fundraising from the public.
  • ASI has appointed a member of the governing body and/or a senior member of staff to be responsible for compliance with the Statement of Compliance with Guidelines for charitable Organisations Fundraising from the Public
  • ASI ensures that fundraising staff are provided with information and training on the Statement of Compliance with Guidelines for charitable Organisations Fundraising from the Public and its implementation.
  • ASI has a feedback and complaints procedure consistent with the Statement of Compliance with Guidelines for charitable Organisations Fundraising from the Public. Feedback is recorded for review by relevant staff including the CEO and governing body. Feedback is responded to promptly and appropriately.
  • ASI prepares financial reports consistent with the requirements of the Charities Act 2009 which include a statement concerning the extent to which control of the organisation is independent of its funding sources.
  • ASI ensures that all donations are tracked and recorded and complies with data protection requirements.
  • ASI is accessible to the public through a number of readily available contact options.

Disclosure Statement

The Asthma Society of Ireland is open about whether those seeking donations on their behalf are volunteers, employees of the organisation or are third party agents.

Anyone fundraising on behalf of the Asthma Society of Ireland must ensure that prospective donors are aware of their status, i.e. volunteers, employees or third party agents.


Feedback & Complaints

The Asthma Society of Ireland is committed to ensuring that all our communications and dealings with the general public and our supporters are of the highest possible standard. We listen and respond to the views of the general public and our supporters so that we can continue to improve.

We welcome both positive and negative feedback. Therefore we aim to ensure that:

  • It is as easy as possible to make a complaint;
  • We treat as a complaint any clear expression of dissatisfaction with our operations which calls for a response;
  • We treat it seriously whether it is made by telephone, letter, email or in person;
  • We deal with it quickly and politely;
  • We respond accordingly - for example, with an explanation, or an apology where we have got things wrong, and information on any action taken,or to be taken;
  • We learn from complaints, use them to improve, and monitor them at management level and where necessary at the Board.

If you do have a complaint about any other aspect of our work, you can contact us.

Write to: The Complaints Officer, Asthma Society of Ireland, 42-43 Amiens Street, Dublin , Phone: Tel: (01) 817 8886    Email: office@asthmasociety.ie   Website:   www.asthma.ie

Our office is open 5 days a week, Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm and is closed between 1.00 and 2.00pm for lunch.

In the first instance, your complaint will be dealt with by a member of staff such as the Complaints Officer or a Manager. Please give us as much information as possible and let us know how you would like us to respond to you, providing us with relevant contact details.

What happens next?

If you complain in person or over the phone, we will try to resolve the issue there and then.  Similarly, if you complain by email or in writing we will always acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days, and do everything we can to resolve it in 30 working days. If this is not possible, we will explain why and provide you with a timeframe for a response to your complaint.

What if the complaint is not resolved?

If you are not happy with our response, you may get in touch again by writing directly to the Chief Executive Office (CEO) at the same address. The CEO will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days and will investigate further. The CEO will issue a response following this investigation. Every effort will be made to resolve your complaint in 30 working days. If this is not possible, you will be informed in advance about the proposed timeframe.

If you are still not happy with our response, you can appeal the decision of the CEO by writing to the  Chairperson of the Asthma Society of Ireland’s Board. The Chairperson will acknowledge your letter in 5 working days and will ensure that your appeal is considered at the Board level. A response will be issued to you in 30 working days of the date your appeal to the complaint decision was received.


Donor Charter

As a charity seeking donations from the public we the Asthma Society of Ireland aim to comply with the Statement of Compliance with Guidelines for charitable Organisations Fundraising from the Public

Our pledge is to treat all our donors with respect, honesty and openness. We commit to being accountable and transparent so that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the Asthma Society of Ireland.

We promise we will effectively apply your gifts to us for their intended purposes.

We commit that you, our donors and prospective donors will:

  • Be informed of the organisation’s mission, and of the way the organisation intends to use donated resources.
  • Be informed of the identity of those serving on the organisation’s governing board, and that the board will exercise prudent judgement in its stewardship responsibilities.
  • Have access to the organisation’s most recent financial statements.
  • Be assured your gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
  • Receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
  • Be assured that information about your donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
  • Expect that all relationships with individuals representing the charity will be dealt with professionally.
  • Be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organisation or hired third party agents.
  • Have easily available the agreed procedures for making and responding to complaints.
  • Have the opportunity for any names to be deleted from mailing lists and to be informed if the organisation intends to share the mailing lists with third parties.
  • Receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers to questions you might have of the organisation.

[1] Adapted from The Donor Bill of Rights, as originally developed by: Giving Institute (formerly the American Association of Fundraising Counsel), Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) http://www.aafrc.org/counsel/index.cfm?pg=donor.cfm (accessed 031009)