Introduction and Purpose

As a charity seeking donations from the public, Irish Landmark Trust aims to comply with the Charities Regulator’s Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on Fundraising from the Public in Ireland and The Charities Commission for Northern Ireland's Guidelines on Fundraising. Irish Landmark Trust is also cognisant of ‘The Street and House to House Collections Act 1962’ in Ireland, and the Fundraising Regulator in NI.

Irish Landmark Trust is an all-island charity, our mission is to ‘Save, share and sustain’ our unique built heritage. We do this in the following ways:

SAVE: To save and conserve buildings of character and architectural distinction on the island of Ireland, particularly those threatened by decay, redundancy or neglect.

SHARE: To share these buildings by providing unique holiday experiences to our guests. To share our knowledge as custodians of these buildings in partnership with local communities and Stakeholders.

SUSTAIN: To sustain these buildings through the adoption of best conservation practice in providing an appropriate long term new use, and by educating to encourage appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of their architectural significance and to highlight their potential to stimulate local employment.

Irish Landmark Trust commits that you, our Donors and prospective Donors, will be informed of the organisation’s Vision, Mission, Values, and Strategic Plan (all available in our Strategic Plan guide)– and that our website will outline how the organisation intends to use donated resources. Our website keeps an up-to-date list of trustees serving on the Board of Directors. Our board commits to exercising prudent judgement in its responsibilities as Directors.

Scope

Irish Landmark Trust is an all-island educational charity working in built heritage and tourism. We fundraise in the following ways:

  • Competitive Government Funding Streams, such as Historic Structures Funds and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme.
  • Occasional project-specific grants from public bodies, such as The Heritage Council and individual Local Authorities, Tourism Bodies, and Development Agencies. (NB: This is not an exhaustive list)
  • Income raised by using our portfolio of Heritage buildings as short-term holiday lets.

We also fundraise by:

  • Accepting Philanthropic and legacy donations.
  • Sponsorship and benefit-in-kind arrangements.
  • Specific, targeted campaigns on social media and via our newsletter.
  • Occasional fundraising events, which might be ticketed or seek donations from attendees.
  • Accepting once-off and repeat donations. These can be initiated through our website and maintained by direct debit.

We do not:

  • Do door-to-door collections.
  • Undertake street collections.
  • Use commercial third parties to fundraise on our behalf.

This policy is for the benefit of volunteers, Irish Landmark Trust staff and Donors.

Irish Landmark Trust Fundraising Principles

Irish Landmark Trust’s core principles for fundraising are:
Transparency | Honesty | Respect | Accountability

  • Irish Landmark Trust will treat all our Donors with respect, honesty and openness. Irish Landmark Trust commits to being accountable and transparent so that Donors and prospective Donors can have full confidence in Irish Landmark Trust.
  • Irish Landmark Trust will ensure that all Donor gifts will be used for the advancement of our mission.
  • All fundraising will respect the rights and dignity of Donors, beneficiaries and the public.
  • Fundraising will occur in an honest and truthful manner.

Responsibility and Accountability

How funds will be spent:

  • Charitable donations and gifts will be used for specific projects in line with the advancement of the Irish Landmark Trust Mission Statement.
  • Where funds have been raised for a specific project, Irish Landmark Trust will endeavour to spend the funds raised on that project. Occasionally, we might raise more than sufficient funds to complete a project. In this case, the monies raised will be spent on another Irish Landmark Trust building or conservation project.
  • If, for reasons beyond our control, we might not be able to complete a project for which we have fundraised and there are funds that have not been spent, those funds will be used for another building restoration or conservation project in the Irish Landmark Trust portfolio.
  • We will retain project-specific funds for a minimum period of 5 years from receipt of the donation. If the funds have not been spent on the specific project after five years, the Board will decide which project should receive the fund.
  • The charity’s executive, overseen by the Board of Trustees, will explain and account to Donors and the public for the charity’s actions if ever needed.

Complaints:

  • If you have a complaint or feedback about any aspect of our work, please contact us by emailing us at bookings@irishlandmark.com.
  • If your complaint or feedback is specifically related to fundraising, it will be dealt with in the first instance by the CEO and, if necessary, it will be referred to the Chair of our Board.
  • If, in the unlikely event you are not satisfied with the manner in which your complaint/feedback is addressed, the next step open to you is to contact the Charities Regulator via their website, or The Fundraising Regulator NI.

Donors and Donations

  • The Board commits that the purpose of any fundraising is clearly explained and that donations received are used to further the charity’s mission. On the occasion where a Donor may have specific wishes regarding the use of their donation, Irish Landmark Trust will always endeavour to respect the Donor and their wishes when making decisions that are within the mission of Irish Landmark Trust.
  • At all times our Donors and beneficiaries will be treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality. Under circumstances where this may require publicity or advertising, we will always look for the permission of Donors and beneficiaries in advance. We commit that their wishes will be respected.
  • The charity will operate in an open, frank and honest way, and will ensure that transactions, operations, information and communications are easily understood by Donors and the public alike.

Fundraising Activities

Fundraisers

The Chief Executive Officer is the primary fundraiser for Irish Landmark Trust. From time to time, s/he will be supported in their endeavours by appropriate members of the Executive Team and Trustees, and on particular projects s/he may be assisted by a wider group of approved supporters with an interest in the project.

The board strives to ensure that any individuals fundraising on behalf of Irish Landmark Trust commit to the following:

  • Fundraisers will act with integrity and not misrepresent the charity, its need for funds or how they will be applied.
  • Questions about fundraising activities and fundraising costs will be answered honestly and in a timely manner.
  • Potential Donors will be informed of the status and authority of those soliciting charitable donations on behalf of the charity so that Donors are aware if fundraisers are employees, Trustees or a friend of the charity. (As of writing, third party agents are not currently used and Irish Landmark Trust has no plans to change this)
  • Fundraising activities will not be carried out in a manner which constitutes an unreasonable intrusion on a person’s privacy, is unreasonably persistent, or places a person under undue pressure to donate.
  • Any information obtained in confidence as part of the fundraising process will not be disclosed without express, informed prior consent of the Donor.
  • Fundraisers are trustworthy and conduct themselves at all times with integrity and honesty and should act openly and in such a manner as to ensure that Donors are not misled.

Acknowledgement

  • Individual and other donations will be acknowledged by email from Irish Landmark Trust.
  • When fundraising for specific projects, logos and names of supporters may be included in fundraising material if the Donors agree, under a heading 'the following are supporters of this project', at the discretion of Irish Landmark Trust.
  • Donors or sponsors wishing to use their association with Irish Landmark Trust or the Irish Landmark Trust logo in marketing material must do so only in agreement with Irish Landmark Trust.

Financial Transparency and Accountability

  • Irish Landmark Trust has internal financial control procedures which ensure funds are used effectively and appropriately within the agreed policy.
  • Records of all funds raised will be kept by the Irish Landmark Trust Finance Manager and are reported to the Board on a bi-monthly basis.
  • The Bookings Manager updates the Finance Manager weekly on donations received via the website.
  • Irish Landmark Trust is audited annually and keeps its audited account available to the public on the Irish Landmark Trust website.

Data Protection

  • Irish Landmark Trust commits to following our Data Protection Policy and regulations pertaining to same. All relevant information must be collected and stored in line with the Guidelines issued by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
  • Irish Landmark Trust always seeks permission to retain personal data from Donors. Donors will be given the option to ‘opt-in’ to receive the Irish Landmark Trust newsletter and keep up to date on Irish Landmark Trust fundraising activity including how the money raised is being spent.

Policy Review and Updates

  • This policy will be reviewed at least bi-annually, and more frequently if changes in guidelines or law need to be adapted into the policy.

The next review of this document is due in January 2026.