Also, if anyone's interested in the latest news on Wikimedia UK's governance, do have a look at our most recent governance audit - further info here:
https://blog.wikimedia.org.uk/2014/11/final-report-on-wikimedia-uk-governanc...
Some quotes include;
*“The charity has very largely addressed the 50 recommendations found within the original review. WMUK has developed very quickly, and the charity has clearly put a lot of effort into ensuring that its governance now meets best practice expectations. It has a cohesive, skilled and experienced board in place. They have a clear understanding of the charity’s vision and mission”.*
*“For the stage that Wikimedia is in its life cycle it compares well with similar UK charities. Its transparency about its procedures is a beacon of best practice, and its conflicts of interest procedures are robust and well-tested”.*
Regards,
Chris
On Fri, Dec 5, 2014 at 6:22 PM, Michael Maggs Michael@maggs.name wrote:
Hi Nick
Over the last few years the Foundation has decisively moved away from allowing local chapters to take part in the on-screen fundraiser, preferring to centralise the work in spite of the loss of the available local tax reliefs (such as Gift Aid in the UK). Many chapters, including the UK, would have liked to have been part of the fundraiser, but the previous ED, Sue Gardner, determined that that would not be permitted. WMUK regretted that decision, and we responded to it here: https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Open_letter_to_Sue_Gardner.
We accept that decisions such as these are entirely within the WMF's remit, and we are now actively working on improving our ability - as recommended by the Foundation and the FDC - to seek charitable funds directly from local sources, on which we can reclaim Gift Aid.
Best regards
Michael
Michael Maggs Chair, Wikimedia UK
Nick Birse mailto:wp@nbir.se
5 December 2014 17:28
I don't want to be seen to be taking sides and don't intend to become embroiled in WMUK internal politics (which is why I've never joined the chapter).
I've never received an explanation as to why around $500,000 of Gift Aid is out of reach and unavailable to either WMUK or WMF, despite asking this be dealt with at Wikimania 2014.
Are there easily explainable circumstances, legislation changes or new rules which prevent donations to WMF to be processed in such a way as to be eligible to collect Gift Aid ?
If not, why hasn't WMF set up a British office to collect this money in the UK and/or why isn't WMUK processing payments and collecting Gift Aid this year ? This is a significant portion of what WMF will spend in the UK (via WMUK's request from the FDC) and would have made up to $500,000 available to spend elsewhere, either UK and/or globally.
The Institute of Fundraising suggests overseas charities fundraising in the UK should find a British charity that can act as a strategic partner, or have a local office (see http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/guidance/ about-fundraising/raising-money-for-charities-abroad/ ). I understand the structure is quite different, but Greenpeace does this through the UK based "Greenpeace Environmental Trust" which is a registered charity and which can collect Gift Aid. The donations + Gift Aid are then passed to "Greenpeace International" in Amsterdam, and that funds things like the "Rainbow Warrior".
I would also appreciate analysis being conducted to see if the loss of Gift Aid has deterred people in the UK from donating, because not collecting Gift Aid is bad enough, but also losing donations would be entirely unforgivable.
Kind Regards, Nick _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
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