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Corporate Relationship Policy

Donations received from business memberships are vital in allowing us to carry out work for a wilder Gloucestershire, without these donations much of the work of the Trust would not be viable - Thank you for your support.

Whilst we greatly appreciate the donations and support we receive from businesses, our main priority is, and always will be, the protection of wildlife and wild spaces, and this will never be compromised.

With this in mind, we encourage business supporters to share in our values and be actively committed to reducing their environmental impact. For full transparency and understanding please read our corporate policy below:

1. Key principles

  • We seek to ensure that those we work with and the ways that we work with them are consistent with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s organisational values.
  • Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust will, as part of its relationship with a company, actively seek to influence the company’s attitude and behaviour towards wildlife conservation and the natural environment in accordance with the
    Trusts aims and objectives.
  • All relationships will be based on the principles of integrity and openness, maintenance of independence, equality in partnership and mutual benefit for all concerned.
  • Initiatives will not compromise the independent status of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. If there is a possibility that the independence, reputation or credibility of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is jeopardised, we will review the risks versus the potential benefits for local wildlife and may withdraw from the initiative.
  • Any company applying for corporate membership or offering sponsorship will be given a copy of the Corporate Relationships Policy and be required to sign a statement acknowledging receipt and agreement to terms.
  • The agreements within any partnerships are without prejudice to any views, commentary or objections Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust staff may have regarding planning or development issues.

2. Partner organisations

  • The partner involved in the initiative will not be directly connected with operations or products that contribute irresponsibly to environmental pressures and/or degradation. This decision is open to the scrutiny of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.
  • At the discretion of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, partners involved in the initiative may be vetted and only confirmed following the initial satisfaction of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust staff and/or the Board of Trustees.
  • Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust may take into account public perception of a company when deciding whether or not to establish a corporate association.
  • Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust reserves the right to review and/or terminate any external relationships at any time.

3. Funding

  • Acceptance of support from a company will not imply that Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust condones company activities and the Trust reserves the right to comment publicly on such activities.
  • Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust will not accept more than 10% of total income per annum from one corporate partner with a vested interest in wildlife positioning; so as not to compromise our integrity. This does not include money raised via employee and customer fundraising as part of any corporate partnership arrangements (e.g. Charity of the Year).
  • Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust may terminate a company’s corporate membership and/or sponsorship at any time if in the Trust’s perception the company’s activities cause damage to the Trust’s reputation by association.
  • Following the termination of any external relationships, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is not required to reimburse any monetary, in-kind, investment or other contributions made prior to termination.

Thank you for your support and your understanding!

Together we will protect Gloucestershire’s wilder places, wilder people and wilder future