Code of Ethics

The Kurikindi Foundation is an ethical organisation. We strive to ensure that every trustee, staff member, volunteer, partner, funder or service provider conducts themselves in a way that is aligned with our charitable policy, mission and values, respecting fairness, privacy, personal dignity, diversity and challenging harm or exploitation.

As a guide, we draw-upon the framework for charity ethical principles set-out by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), outlining what charitable ethical conduct should embody. We use these principles to reflect upon our policy-making, decision-making and operational practice. 

Below is an overview of NCVO’s four key ethical principles. The full guidance can be found here: ncvo.org.uk/help-and-guidance/running-a-charity/charity-ethical-principles 

NCVO Ethical Principles 

Charities agree to uphold the following principles throughout their work:

• Beneficiaries first
• Integrity
• Openness
• Right to be safe

1) Beneficiaries first

Charities have a responsibility to carry out their purposes for the public benefit. The interests of their beneficiaries and the causes they work for should be at the heart of everything charities and those who work and volunteer in and with them do.

This means charities should:

• be clear what their purpose is and who or what their beneficiaries are
• carry out their purpose to provide the greatest benefit to their beneficiaries and their cause, regardless of whether this might initially have a negative impact on the reputation or operation of the charity or its leadership
• when working with beneficiaries, ensure that their views and experiences are actively listened to and taken account of as part of how the charity operates, facilitating engagement and communication
• ensure that all relevant policies and procedures are drawn up with the interests of beneficiaries in mind

2) Integrity

Charities, and those who work and volunteer in and with them should uphold the highest level of institutional integrity and personal conduct at all times.

This means charities should:

• ensure appropriate systems are in place to help guarantee that all decisions are robust, defensible and free from conflict of interest
• consider the effect of activities conducted in private life on the reputation of the charity and of charities generally
• ensure their resources are managed responsibly and their funds are properly protected, applied and accounted for, including policies and procedures to combat the risk of bribery, fraud, corruption and extortion
• exercise due diligence in understanding the ethical standards of commercial partners and individuals, to seek support or collaboration from those with ethical values that are consistent with those of the charity
• be sensitive to the impact of their activities on both natural and human environment by:
  • making responsible use of their resources
  • adopting sustainable working practices
  • undertaking initiatives to promote environmental responsibility

3) Openness

Charities should create a culture and space where donors and supporters, as well as the wider public, can see and understand how they work how they deal with problems when they arise and how they spend their funds.

This means charities should:

• operate a presumption of openness and transparency; subject to complying with existing legal and regulatory requirements, charities should be willing to share information about how they work, ensuring it is easily accessible
• publish, or (for the very smallest charities) at least make available on request:
  • annual reports, including a section explaining how the charity is fulfilling its purpose and values
  • their approach to safeguarding, bullying and harassment
  • their complaints procedure
  • their whistleblowing policy
• establish clear lines of responsibility and accountability for all their work, both internally and externally where applicable

4) Right to be safe

Every person who volunteers with, works for or comes into contact with a charity should be treated with dignity and respect, and feel that they are in a safe and supportive environment.

All charities have a responsibility to create an inclusive culture that does not tolerate inappropriate, discriminatory, offensive or harmful behaviour towards any person who works for, volunteers with, or comes into contact with the charity.

Charities should also be places where people’s wellbeing and mental health are valued and promoted, so that anyone working in the charity or coming into contact with the charity is encouraged to value and invest in their own health and wellbeing.

This means charities should:

• stand against and have a clear approach to prevent abuse of trust and power including bullying, intimidation, harassment, discrimination or victimisation in all their activities
• create a culture that supports the reporting and resolution of allegations, suspicions or concerns about abuse of any kind or inappropriate behaviour
• ensure that anyone working or volunteering for the charity understands the expectations placed upon them, and provide the relevant training to support them in meeting their responsibilities
• ensure that anyone who works or volunteers in the charity has access to proper support and advice if they:
  • experience or witness unacceptable behaviour
  • raise a concern or make an allegation about the actions of others
  • don’t feel safe