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University of Liverpool Donor Charter

At the University of Liverpool, we deeply value the generosity and commitment of our donors. Their support enables us to invest in world-leading research and outstanding facilities and to provide support to students from all backgrounds to thrive academically, personally and professionally. This Donor Charter outlines our commitment to you and the principles that guide our relationship with our donors.

1.  Our responsibilities

The University shall:

  • Acknowledge all donations promptly and appropriately.
  • Treat all donors with respect, gratitude, and recognition for their contributions, upholding a donor’s rights to privacy and requests for anonymity.
  • Commit to maintaining donors’ confidence and trust concerning their privacy. We will be transparent about what data we collect about our donors, where that data comes from, how we use the information, and the choices donors can make. For more information, please visit our full Privacy Policy.
  • Use gifts effectively to support the strategic objectives of the University of Liverpool, following the donor’s wishes wherever practical and possible to do so.
  • Never engage in the sale of any portion of our donor list or donor-related information.
  • The University will assess each potential donation in accordance with its Gift Acceptance Policy and may choose to decline a gift.

Fundraising Ethics

Institutional advancement professionals, by nature of our responsibilities within the academic community, represent our schools, colleges, and universities to the larger society. We have, therefore, a duty to exemplify the best qualities of our institutions and to observe the highest standards of personal and professional conduct.  The University of Liverpool is a member of CASE and have adopted their Statement of Ethics to guide and reinforce professional conduct.

https://www.case.org/resources/case-statement-ethics

CASE Zero Tolerance

The university has a responsibility to ensure safe and productive working environments for everyone, and to know and understand our institutional policies and resources to respond promptly and appropriately to any reports of harassment. The University of Liverpool’s Development & Alumni Relations Team has therefore adopted the CASE Zero Tolerance Pledge.

2.  Donor rights

Donors have the right to:

  • Remain anonymous. The University will do all that it reasonably can to retain the anonymity of the donor.
  • Update their preferences regarding what information they consent to being published by the University at any time.
  • Instruct the University to update or correct any inaccurate personal data.

Donors are entitled to:

  • A copy of all personal information held by the University relating to themselves.
  • Details of the University’s exempt educational charitable status.
  • A copy of the University of Liverpool Donor Charter.

3.  How donations will be used  

The University will use donations to support our strategic objectives. The areas typically supported include:

  • The promotion of teaching and learning opportunities for students, staff and the community through scholarships, bursaries, awards and prizes.
  • The pursuit of academic research.
  • Investment in services and facilities, including the library, teaching facilities and other University buildings.
  • The promotion of student welfare and enhancement of the student experience through the provision of hardship funds and support for clubs and societies.

In cases where no specific designation is provided, the University will have the discretion to allocate the donation towards advancing our strategic objectives.

Where a donation is made with a specified preference for its usage, the University will make every effort to honour and fulfil those wishes wherever practical and possible to do so.

Where donors restrict the application of their donation, the University will endeavour to apply the gift to the purpose originally intended. It is important to note that the University’s strategic objectives and other circumstances may evolve over time. In such situations, the University will work with appropriate bodies to find an alternative use for the donation, in accordance with relevant legislation, following consultation with the Donor where practical to do so.  Should consultation with the Donor not be possible, any such change is to be in keeping as far as possible with its spirit and general intent, on the advice of the Dean of School, or Executive Pro-Vice Chancellor of Faculty.

4.  Data Protection and Freedom of Information

The University of Liverpool will manage a donor’s personal data in accordance with our Data Protection principles and specific guidance on alumni and supporter data and privacy can be found in our Alumni and Supporter Privacy Policy

Personal data provided when making a donation will be used by the University of Liverpool to process donations in accordance with our contractual and legal obligations and to meet our legitimate interest of alumni and supporter engagement, fundraising and stewardship. We will use donor data to: record information about your giving, including any gift agreements, memberships, or correspondence relevant to your donation; communicate with you about the impact of your donation and other appeals that may be of interest to you; record your updated contact details and mailing preferences: record your preferences regarding the external reporting of your donation: and record information about your willingness and capacity to support our charitable objectives, which may be provided by you or from information in the public domain. The University will report internally on donations to the University Council and other internal governance groups.

We consider our relationship with our donors, supporters and alumni to be lifelong and we will retain relevant data indefinitely unless you request otherwise.

The University is subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. For further information, please see our Freedom of Information guidance.

5.  Giving feedback

Our relationship with the University’s alumni, friends and supporters is extremely important to us. Our primary goal is to deliver a high-quality service as we raise funds, keep donors well informed about the University of Liverpool and update them on all the available benefits and services.

Should you wish to give feedback regarding the activities of the Development & Alumni Relations Team or have questions regarding this Donor Charter, please email Giving@liverpool.ac.uk                                                         

Last updated August 2025