This Voluntary Agreement on Fundraising Standards outlines the principles, expectations, and responsibilities that all fundraisers verified through Verify My ID Live agree to uphold. By signing this agreement, fundraisers commit to maintaining the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and integrity, ensuring public trust in their fundraising activities. This agreement is designed to protect not only the public but also fundraisers themselves, the charities they represent, and the wider charity sector.

1. Purpose of the Agreement

This agreement exists to:

- Promote ethical and responsible fundraising practices.

- Protect the public from fraud and misconduct.

- Safeguard fundraisers by ensuring their legitimacy and professionalism are never in question.

- Ensure compliance with Irish law, charity regulations, and best practices.

- Foster trust and confidence in face-to-face fundraising activities.

- Protect the reputation of the charity sector as a whole by eliminating rogue collectors.

2. Fundraiser Commitments

As a verified fundraiser with Verify My ID Live, I agree to the following:

Professional Conduct

- Conduct all fundraising activities with honesty, respect, and professionalism.

- Treat the public, businesses, and donors with courtesy and avoid aggressive or misleading solicitation practices.

- Refrain from engaging in activities that could harm the reputation of the charity I represent, the sector, or my fellow fundraisers.

Transparency and Accountability

- Clearly display my Verify My ID Live Tag during all fundraising activities to allow for real-time identity verification by donors.

- Provide accurate information about the charity I represent, including its mission, objectives, and how funds will be used.

- Avoid any misleading statements or exaggerations when soliciting donations.

Compliance with Laws and Regulations

Adhere to all Irish laws, regulations, and guidelines related to charity fundraising, including:

- Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on Fundraising from the Public (issued by the Charities Regulator).

- Any local permits or authorisations required for collections.

- Ensure that all donations are promptly and transparently transferred to the charity I represent, with accurate records kept for auditing purposes.

Data Protection

- Respect the privacy and confidentiality of donor information, ensuring compliance with GDPR and Irish data protection laws.

- Refrain from collecting or storing personal donor information without explicit consent.

High Standards of Presentation

- Maintain a neat and professional appearance while representing my charity.

- Ensure that fundraising materials, collection containers, and other tools are clean, secure, and clearly labeled with the charity's name.

3. Verify My ID Live Responsibilities

We commit to supporting fundraisers in maintaining these high standards by providing:

- A secure and transparent platform for identity verification.

- Ongoing training and resources to help fundraisers understand their responsibilities and uphold best practices.

- Regular compliance checks to ensure fundraisers meet the standards outlined in this agreement.

- Immediate investigation of any reported breaches of this agreement.

- A framework that protects fundraisers from unfounded allegations by providing verifiable proof of their legitimacy.

- Advocacy for fundraisers and charities to restore and preserve trust in the sector.

4. Breaches of the Agreement

To maintain the integrity of the platform and public trust, any breach of this agreement may result in:

- Suspension or revocation of Verify My ID Live verification status.

- Notification to the charity represented by the fundraiser.

- Reporting to relevant authorities for serious violations, including suspected fraud.

5. Acknowledgement

By signing this agreement, I acknowledge that:

I understand and accept the responsibilities outlined above. I commit to upholding these standards in all fundraising activities. I understand that this agreement protects not only the public but also myself, the charity I represent, and the wider charity sector. I understand that failure to comply may result in the loss of my verified status and other consequences as deemed appropriate by Verify My ID Live.

Fundraiser Name: A. Volunteer

Signature: A Volunteer

Date: Today, 2025 Witness Name: A Witness

Witness Signature: A Witness

This agreement is a shared commitment to integrity, professionalism, and trust, safeguarding the future of ethical fundraising in Ireland.