CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP POLICY
Purpose
To create and manage corporate relationships which expand the reach, impact, credibility, and/or funding of Syli CIC.
Industry and corporate organisations can play a key role in advancing our work and we are interested in working collaboratively with such organisations in a spirit of openness and dialogue.
Consistency and transparency are key to these relationships and this policy outlines what this means in practice for Syli CIC, for the organisations we partner with and/or receive sponsorship from, and for the relationship between us.
Scope
The policy is intended to address issues that include the handling of donations, external support, corporate partnerships, collaborations with external organisations, marketing, advertising, sponsorship, project funding and in-kind support, including particularly such arrangements in which resources are provided directly to Syli CIC.
Examples of corporate partnerships we may consider include:
Donations / matched giving
Fundraising
Sponsorship (e.g. event, programme)
Gifts in kind
Licensing (e.g. co-branded production, marketing and distribution of content or materials)
Syli’s values
All corporate relationships will be conducted in line with our values:
Sustainability
Synergy
Equality
Transformation
Core principles for corporate partnerships
We won’t accept support that could compromise who we are and what we do.
Transparency
We will use clear, structured decision making processes across all aspects of our work, including making decisions around corporate partnerships to ensure fairness and transparency, We will also list our corporate partners in our annual report.
Strategic and operational independence
Corporate partners may contribute to the development and delivery of our strategy but will not influence our plans in whole, or in part, nor determine our objectives or strategic priorities.
We will not accept funding or support from partners for activities that are inconsistent with our vision and missions.
Partners will not in any way place limits on our fundraising.
Editorial independence
Corporate partners do not determine what we think, decide, say, or publish.
We retain full editorial independence at all times
We have full freedom to make decisions on selecting, editing, publishing, correcting, or withdrawing of content content
Exclusivity
Only within specific, time-bound, limited activities with a corporate partner will we consider any form of exclusivity.
Collaborative working
Our relationships with corporate partners will be based on mutual integrity, openness, transparency and respect. We will ensure that the following are identified at the start of our relationship, (and remain clear throughout in relation to both parties):
The benefits of the relationship to both parties
The role, responsibilities, and limits of each party
The material benefit
All agreements will be in line with any relevant industry codes of conduct.
Ethical guidelines
Syli CIC will not ally itself with any organisations whose activities are likely to be, or seen to be, damaging to people, planet, or our reputation. This includes not accepting money from a source or activity that is:
Illegal
Unverifiable as to its source
Counterproductive to our vision and mission
Harmful to people or the planet
Opposed to or obstructive of an independent and free press
Non-conflicting interests
All our directors, staff, contractors, and volunteers disclose any interest that may conflict with their Syli CIC role. We ask our corporate partners to do the same in the interest of transparency and informed decision making.
A conflict can be summarised as any activity that is or may be perceived to be contrary to:
Our goals
Our reputation
Our independence
Non-endorsement
Syli CIC does not endorse or approve companies, products or services nor do we advocate on behalf of our partners. We will provide appropriate recognition of corporate partners but such recognition is not endorsement.
Use of name and logo
Syli CIC holds final approval of all uses of its name, logo, and other identifying symbols. They may only be used by our corporate partners with our prior written consent and in a manner that furthers our vision and mission.
Accountability
In the spirit of openness and mutual respect, we expect both parties to raise any concern that might arise about the behaviour of the other and its impact on the partnership at any time during the relationship. Such concerns will be addressed through honesty and respectful communications.
Some examples of incompatible partnerships
There are sectors that are inherently incompatible with a healthy and happy society and planet. Therefore, we will not enter into a partnership with:
companies in the fossil fuel sector such as exploration, extraction, processing or sale
companies in the tobacco sector
companies in the arms sector
companies in the adult entertainment (pornography) sector.
In addition to the sectors listed above, circumstances where we will have legitimate concern include (but are not limited to):
national/multi-national organisations without a formal sustainability strategy addressing material risks and impacts
organisations with a poor reputation or track-record for ethical sponsorship or cause-related marketing, including green washing
organisations with a poor reputation or track-record for diversity, equality and/or inclusion
organisations with a poor track record against any area identified in our Code of Conduct for businesses and organisations
Our process
Decision Making Authority:
All decisions regarding entering into relationships that meet the criteria outlined in this policy - including authorising partnership, implementing partnership benefits, and establishing financial agreements - must be unanimously approved by Syli CIC’s executive directors.
For all new opportunities
During the pre-agreement stage of our relationship with a potential partner, we will complete due diligence and sufficient time must be allowed to enable us to complete this process. We will consider and evaluate the proposed partnership in reference to our:
Mission: including our strategic objectives, goals, and priorities.
Ethics and values: including our environment policy and code of conduct.
Operations: including policies, budget requirements, timetables, responsibilities, evaluation and monitoring requirements.
Requirements: the expected results or yields and whether these meet our needs.
Resources: whether the human and financial resources needed to fulfil our obligations are available to us for the duration of the partnership.
In addition to the above will evaluate the potential partner’s:
Availability of resources: to enter into and fulfil their role in the partnership.
Interest and motivation: in partnering with Syli CIC - including potential conflict of interest.
Compatibility: including their values, mission, activities and plans.
Risk level: including their reputation, capacity, financial stability and track record. We will establish if there are any known risks relating to the source of the income from a partnership because it is or may be:
Illegal
Unverifiable as to its source
Counterproductive to our vision and mission
Harmful to people or the planet
Opposed to or obstructive of an independent and free press
Added value: other benefits they may bring to Syli CIC.
Budgetary requirements
The partnership budget should encompass expenditures and respective obligations of Syli CIC and the corporate partner including:
Direct and indirect costs
Any fees to ad agencies/promoters or for support services to be paid
Gross and net proceeds and their distribution and use.
Concerns
If we have concerns about whether a corporate partnership is suitable, we will conduct an Ethical Appraisal Process. This process looks at the nature of the proposed relationship and what's in the best interest of Syli CIC and our vision and mission.
Written agreement
We will enter into a written agreement with all new corporate partners prior to the partnership commencing to ensure the terms, conditions, expectations and responsibilities are clearly established for both parties.