DONOR POLICY

Introduction

WMG Foundation (“Foundation”) is a trust registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, committed to creating lasting environmental and social impact through conservation, restoration, and community engagement. Its work primarily focuses on wildlife conservation, forest restoration, biodiversity protection, heritage preservation, and community development. The Foundation collaborates with diverse partners and leverages innovation to deliver long-term outcomes that empower communities, preserve cultural heritage, and build towards a sustainable future.

Purpose

This donor policy (“Policy”) establishes the principles, procedures, and standards governing the acceptance, acknowledgment, and use of donations made to the Foundation. It is intended to ensure that all donations are handled with integrity, transparency, and in a manner consistent with the Foundation’s mission, legal and regulatory obligations.

Our Values

Our values shape every decision, partnership, and initiative. They define how we engage with communities, collaborators, and stakeholders, ensuring that our work creates meaningful and enduring impact.

• Integrity – We ensure every initiative is carried out with conscientious action, reflecting a strong sense of responsibility towards ecosystems, cultural heritage, and the communities we engage with.
• Commitment – We are dedicated to delivering projects with consistency and diligence. From planning through implementation and monitoring, we remain actively engaged to ensure every initiative achieves its intended outcome.
• Community centric – By training frontline teams and equipping communities with resources and skills, we turn conservation into a shared, lasting responsibility.
• Accountability – We maintain clear documentation, monitor progress, and share timely updates with donors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Transparency –We ensure that resources are managed responsibly, funds are utilized for their intended purpose, and project progress is communicated openly through regular reporting and financial accountability.

Donations

Foundation accepts monetary contributions through various modes, including cash, cheque, bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and secure online payment platforms. All donations received through these channels are subject to the Foundation’s applicable policies, procedures, and compliance requirements. The Foundation does not hold a registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (“FCRA”) and, accordingly, does not accept any donation that constitutes a “foreign contribution” within the meaning of the FCRA or any rules made thereunder.

Tax Exemption

Under Section 80G of the Income-tax Act, 1961, eligible donors may claim tax benefits subject to applicable laws. Donations in cash above ₹2,000 are not eligible for deduction.

Acceptance Criteria

The acceptance of any donation shall remain at the sole discretion of the Foundation. The Foundation reserves the right to assess, review, decline, or refuse any donation where acceptance may not align with its values and objectives. The Foundation may not accept donations, including but not limited to, where:

1. The source of funds cannot be reasonably verified or is suspected to be derived from unlawful, unethical, or prohibited activities;
2. The purpose, conditions, or intended use of the donation is inconsistent with applicable laws, regulations, or statutory requirements;
3. Acceptance of the donation may create an actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest; and/or
4. Acceptance of the donation may expose the Foundation to reputational, operational, legal, or regulatory risks.

Donation Acknowledgement

The Foundation may publicly acknowledge donors and their contributions through its website, annual reports, social media platforms, or other communication channels, provided that express consent from the Donor is obtained.  Such acknowledgement may include the donor’s name, associated organisation, the nature or purpose of the contribution, and any feedback or testimonial voluntarily provided by the donor.

A Donor may choose to remain anonymous or withhold consent for any such public acknowledgment, and the Foundation shall make all reasonable efforts to honour such request, except where such disclosure is required pursuant to any applicable law, judicial order, or the directions of any competent regulatory or governmental authority.

Confidentiality

All information pertaining to a donation, including but not limited to the donor’s name, contact details, organization, and project details, shall be treated as strictly confidential at all times by the Foundation.

The Foundation shall not use, disclose, or process any confidential information for any purpose other than as required for the legitimate execution and administration of the donation, including but not limited to: (i) fulfilling the intended purpose for which the donation has been provided; (ii) sharing such information with authorized collaborators, partners, or service providers involved in the implementation or advancement of the relevant project or purpose; or (iii) complying with applicable laws, statutory obligations, regulatory requirements, or lawful directions issued by competent authorities.

The Foundation shall ensure that any disclosure of such confidential information is limited to the extent necessary for the relevant purpose and handled in accordance with applicable confidentiality obligations.

Refunds

All donations made to the Foundation are considered voluntary contributions and shall be treated as final upon receipt. Donations once accepted cannot be refunded and will be utilized towards the intended projects and initiatives of the Foundation. However, the Foundation may consider refund requests in exceptional circumstances including but not limited to duplicate or accidental transactions, technical or payment processing errors or any other circumstance that the Foundation, in its sole discretion, considers appropriate. Refund requests should be submitted within 15 (fifteen) days of the donation, along with relevant transaction details.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the Foundation reserves the right to reject any request for a refund, including but not limitation to, where the donated funds have been allocated, committed, or otherwise utilized towards the Foundation’s objects or programmes, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law.

Compliance

All donations received and managed by the Foundation are governed by applicable laws, regulations, internal policies, and established procedures.

Amendment

The Foundation reserves the right to update, revise, modify, or alter the Policy at any time at its sole discretion. Any such amendments carried out shall be updated and available on the website.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

The terms of this Policy shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of India. Any dispute regarding or arising out of this Privacy Policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Bangalore, Karnataka.

Grievance Policy

If you have any queries or grievance regarding this Policy, please reach out to our Grievance Officer: –

Name: – Mr. Manjunatha

Email ID: – manjunatha@wmggroup.in

Contact no: 080 25597633

Address: 21/19, Craig Park Layout, M G Road, Bangalore – 560001, Karnataka.