What is the UK Use of Funds Declaration?

The UK Online Giving Foundation (UKOGF) is Benevity’s global foundation partner, enabling Benevity clients and users worldwide to make cross-border donations. UKOGF facilitates the disbursement of international, non-tax receiptable grants to international nonprofits. For example, if a donor in Australia supports a nonprofit in the United States, their donation is processed and disbursed by the UKOGF. 

As a registered Charitable Incorporated Organization in England and Wales, the UKOGF is obligated to ensure that all donations it processes are used exclusively for charitable purposes, as defined by the law of England and Wales, regardless of the recipient's location. 

Each year, Benevity, on behalf of the UKOGF, requests verification that donations distributed by the UKOGF are used strictly for charitable purposes. If your organization has received any funds from the UKOGF, you must attest to the UK Use of Funds Declaration.

Please note that failure to submit the form by the specified deadline will result in the withholding of disbursements to your organization and subsequent removal from the Benevity Causes Portal until the declaration is successfully completed. The Benevity team will send reminder notices throughout the open submission timeframe, which is approximately four months. 

How do I access the UK Use of Funds Declaration? 

Benevity will email the primary user associated with your organization to complete the declaration form, which is accessible directly in your organization's Benevity Causes Portal account. 

To access the form via the email notification: 

1. Select the ‘Complete Declaration’ link in the email
2. Log in to your account. You will be immediately directed to the form

NOTE: Please log out of your account before clicking the email link. If you are already logged in, please refresh your session to access the form directly through your account.  

To access the form through your account: 

1. Log in to your account
2. Select the banner link at the top of the page to be directed to the form, or;
3. Select the ‘Use of Funds Attestation’ tab in the left-hand navigation menu. 

Once the declaration is complete, the page banner will disappear. The form can always be accessed through the navigation menu.  

Can the subusers on our account also access and submit the declaration? 

Yes. If the subuser has permissions enabled for ‘cause owner’ or ‘declaration manager, ’ they can also access and submit the declaration on your organization's behalf. 

How do I complete or resubmit the UK Use of Funds Declaration?

1. Log in to your account
2. Select the banner link at the top of the page to be directed to the form, or;
3. Select Use of Funds Attestation in the left-hand navigation menu. 
4. The Declaration Management page displays the declaration status as Action required.
5. Select Complete in the Actions column. 
6. After reviewing the declaration, select the applicable checkbox to attest or declare that your organization cannot attest. 
7. Enter your first and last name and your position title with your organization.
8. Select Submit Attestation.

Once completed, the form can be viewed on the Declaration Management page. 

• If your organization cannot attest, the submission status is In review
• If your organization attests, the submission status is Complete. 
• To resubmit the declaration, select Update under the Actions header.  

To go back to your account, select Home in the left-hand navigation menu.  

How can I confirm if my organization has received cross-border funds through UKOGF?  

To confirm if you’ve received funds from the UKOGF, log in to your Benevity Causes Portal account and select the Reports tab. Under Disbursing Entity, check if the UK Online Giving Foundation is listed with the originating currency in parentheses.   

How is Charitable purpose defined by the law of England and Wales?  

U.K. legislation on international donations

The applicable U.K. legislation allows for a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to disburse donations to organizations outside of the U.K. provided the donations meet the following criteria:

1. They are being used for “charitable purpose.” The definition of “charitable purpose” is broad and includes:a. The prevention or relief of poverty;b. The advancement of education;c. The advancement of religion;d. The advancement of health or the saving of lives;e. The advancement of citizenship or community development;f. The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage, or science;g. The advancement of amateur sport;h. The advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity;i. The advancement of environmental protection or improvement;j. The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage;k. The advancement of animal welfare; orl. Any other charitable purpose” that is meant as a catch all to cover any future definitions developed via case law; and 
2. Steps have been taken that are reasonable in the circumstances to ensure that the payments are applied for charitable purposes, in accordance with English law. The UKOGF’s partnership with Benevity ensures that all cross-border donations are aligned with the above criteria.

Is the Declaration available in multiple languages? 

Yes. The email notifications are sent in the default language selected on your profile. The communications are sent in English by default if a language is not specified. The Declaration dashboard and attestation form are available in 22 languages. To change the language, choose from the dropdown options in the selector at the bottom of the page.