Donation and Refund Policy

Effective Date: 01/06/2024Last Updated: 12/07/2026

Introduction Youthrise for Development (YFD) is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to promoting sustainable development, youth empowerment, education, environmental conservation, gender equality, humanitarian assistance, and community resilience. YFD recognizes that donations and financial contributions from individuals, organizations, institutions, foundations, corporate partners, and development partners play an important role in supporting programmes that improve the lives of communities. As a responsible organization, YFD is committed to ensuring that all donations are received, managed, utilized, and reported with the highest standards of transparency, accountability, integrity, and financial responsibility. This Donation and Refund Policy explains how YFD accepts, manages, acknowledges, and handles financial contributions. Purpose of the Policy The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Promote transparency and accountability in donation management.

  • Provide clear guidance on acceptable donations.

  • Explain how donated funds are managed and used.

  • Protect the interests of donors and beneficiaries.

  • Ensure compliance with applicable laws of the Republic of Cameroon and donor requirements.

  • Establish procedures for handling donation refunds where applicable.

  • Scope of Application This policy applies to all donations and financial contributions received by YFD from:

  • Individuals;

  • Private donors;

  • Community supporters;

  • Corporate organizations;

  • Foundations;

  • Government institutions;

  • International development partners;

  • Grant-making organizations;

  • Other legitimate funding sources.

  • YFD Donation Principles

  • YFD manages donations according to the following principles:

  • Transparency YFD is committed to providing accurate information regarding the purpose, management, and impact of donated resources. Accountability YFD ensures that donations are used responsibly and in accordance with approved organizational objectives.

4.3 Integrity

YFD accepts donations only from lawful and ethical sources that do not compromise its independence, values, or reputation.

4.4 Effectiveness

Donations are used to maximize positive impact for communities and beneficiaries.

4.5 Respect for Donor Intent

Where donations are designated for specific purposes, YFD will make reasonable efforts to use them according to the agreed purpose.

Types of Donations Accepted YFD may accept:

  • Unrestricted Donations These are contributions that allow YFD flexibility to allocate resources according to organizational priorities and emerging community needs. Restricted Donations These are donations designated for a specific programme, project, activity, or purpose. YFD will manage restricted donations according to agreed conditions.

5.3 Grants and Institutional Funding

YFD may receive funding from:

  • International donors;

  • Foundations;

  • Development agencies;

  • Government programmes;

  • Corporate social responsibility initiatives. Such funding will be managed according to applicable agreements and reporting requirements. In-Kind Donations YFD may accept non-financial contributions such as:

  • Equipment;

  • Educational materials;

  • Supplies;

  • Professional services;

  • Other resources that support its mission.

  • Acceptance will depend on relevance, quality, safety, and organizational needs.

  • Donations We May Decline

  • YFD reserves the right to refuse donations that:

  • Are obtained through illegal activities;

  • Create unacceptable ethical risks;

  • Conflict with YFD values and mission;

  • Compromise organizational independence;

  • Are intended to influence decisions improperly;

  • Create reputational risks;

  • Place unreasonable conditions on YFD.

  • Examples include donations linked to:

  • Fraud;

  • Corruption;

  • Exploitation;

  • Discrimination;

  • Activities harmful to communities or the environment.

  • Use of Donations All donations received by YFD shall be used to support its legitimate objectives, including:

  • Sustainable development programmes;

  • Youth empowerment initiatives;

  • Education support;

  • Environmental conservation;

  • Gender equality programmes;

  • Humanitarian assistance;

  • Community resilience activities;

  • Organizational capacity strengthening.

Donations will not be used for personal benefit, unlawful activities, or purposes inconsistent with YFD’s mission. Financial Management and Accountability YFD applies responsible financial management practices, including:

  • Proper financial recording;
  • Budget monitoring;
  • Internal approval procedures;
  • Financial reporting;
  • Documentation of expenditures;
  • Audits and reviews where applicable. YFD may provide donors with appropriate reports on the use and impact of their contributions. Donation Receipts and Acknowledgement Where applicable, YFD will provide acknowledgement or confirmation of donations received. Receipts may include:
  • Donor name;
  • Date of donation;
  • Amount or description of contribution;
  • Purpose of donation where applicable. Donor information will be handled confidentially according to YFD’s Privacy Policy. Online Donations Where online donation platforms are available:
  • Transactions will be processed through secure payment systems.
  • Donors should provide accurate information.
  • Donors are responsible for ensuring authorization of payments.
  • YFD does not store complete payment card information. YFD is not responsible for unauthorized transactions resulting from donor negligence or third-party security breaches.

Donation Refund Policy YFD appreciates all donations received and applies donated funds responsibly. Because donations are generally used to support charitable activities, they are normally non-refundable. However, refund requests may be considered in exceptional circumstances, including:

  • Duplicate transactions;
  • Technical payment errors;
  • Unauthorized transactions;
  • Donations made due to clear administrative mistakes. All refund requests must be submitted within a reasonable period after the transaction. Refund Request Procedure A refund request should include:
  • Donor’s full name;
  • Contact information;
  • Date of donation;
  • Amount donated;
  • Reason for refund request;
  • Supporting evidence where applicable.
  • Requests should be submitted to:
  • Email: finance@youthrisefordevelopment.org YFD will review requests and communicate the outcome within a reasonable timeframe. Restricted Donations and Refunds Where a donation has already been committed, spent, or legally allocated to a project activity, YFD may be unable to provide a refund.

In such cases, YFD may discuss alternative solutions with the donor where appropriate. Donor Privacy and Confidentiality YFD respects donor privacy. Donor information will:

  • Be securely stored;

  • Only be used for legitimate purposes;

  • Not be sold or shared without authorization;

  • Be handled according to the YFD Privacy Policy. Donors may choose whether they wish to be publicly recognized or remain anonymous. Ethical Fundraising Practices YFD commits to fundraising practices that are:

  • Honest;

  • Respectful;

  • Transparent;

  • Free from manipulation or misleading information. YFD will not exaggerate community needs, misrepresent programme impacts, or use inappropriate images or stories. Monitoring and Review YFD will periodically review this policy to ensure alignment with:

  • Laws of the Republic of Cameroon;

  • Donor requirements;

  • Financial management standards;

  • International NGO best practices.

  • Commitment Statement Youthrise for Development recognizes that every donation represents trust from individuals and organizations who believe in our mission. We are committed to honouring that trust through responsible financial management, transparency, accountability, and measurable impact. Contact Information Youthrise for Development (YFD) Head Office: Buea, South-West Region, Cameroon Telephone: +237 674 854 112 Email: info@youthrisefordevelopment.org Website: www.youthrisefordevelopment.org Approved by:

  • Board of Directors

  • Youthrise for Development (YFD)

  • Date: 01/06/2024