Donor Promise

Northumbria University welcomes support from individuals, trusts and foundations, and corporate organisations, and is delighted to discuss ways in which relationships may be fostered with potential donors. 

Northumbria University is dedicated to treating its donors with the highest level of care and respect. Philanthropic donations help to support the University’s mission to ‘Change lives through education and research, tackling the global challenges of our age to transform society and the economy.'

We will:

• Always seek to comply with our legal and regulatory obligations in relation to how we use your philanthropic donation.
• Inform donors of the way we intend to use donated resources, and of our commitment to using donations effectively for their intended purposes.
• Where the donor wishes to express a preference for the application of their donation, take the greatest care to apply the donation to the purpose originally intended. The strategic priorities of the University will change from time to time. Should this happen, alternative uses for designated donations will be discussed with the donor/donor’s representative. If these changes mean it is not possible for the University to apply the donation for the purpose for which it was originally given, it will comply with the terms of any donation agreement with you and its legal and regulatory obligations in determining a suitable alternative use which respects your original wishes, so far as reasonably possible.
• Use undesignated donations for such purposes as the University judges will best meet its strategic priorities.
• Appropriately acknowledge, recognise, and publicise donations in consultation with donors, and respect anonymity where requested.
• Keep donors updated about the impact of their philanthropy and the University’s evolving needs and priorities and only contact donors in a way that they are happy with.
• Keep donors informed of the recruitment process and appointment where they have supported an academic post. As part of its commitment to academic freedom, Northumbria University reserves the right to nominate candidates and manage the search and selection process.
• In the case of financial support for students, undertake to inform and involve the donor as appropriate on the selection processes and outcomes. As part of its commitment to academic freedom, Northumbria University reserves the right to make the final approval of funding awards for students.
• Process your personal information securely in line with our Data Protection Regulations Policy and as described in our Donations Privacy Notice.
• The University is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Information about donations may be made publicly available in accordance with the preference of the donor or, in some instances where is it subject to disclosure under this act. For more information, please visit our Freedom of Information Policy.
• Always act with transparency. Northumbria University is an exempt charity and is subject to the requirements of the Charities Acts 1992 and 2011 and is regulated by the Office for Students. Fundraising activity undertaken on behalf of Northumbria University complies with the Fundraising Regulator's Code of Fundraising Practice, and will be legal, honest, open and respectful. In addition, the University upholds the standards set out in the Fundraising Regulator’s Fundraising Promise. The University’s financial accounts are available online.
• Welcome feedback, respond promptly to any inquiry or question that you may have, and take complaints very seriously. Northumbria University’s complaints policy is available on the University's website.

If donors and supporters require any further information or wish to raise any queries about the Donor Promise, they should, in the first instance, contact the Alumni and Philanthropy team, at giving@northumbria.ac.uk