Maintaining high standards of governance is key to demonstrating accountability to all stakeholders.
We rely on the generosity of individuals and organisations to make a difference to the educational prospects of all children in Ireland.
We work hard to ensure that we are accountable in what we do and transparent in how we do it.
Accomplished and Engaged Board of Directors
Our Board comprises of ten Directors from within the Irish funds industry, with backgrounds in law, business and finance. We strive to maintain equitable gender balance on the board and have a strong ethical compass. All directors are voluntary and receive no remuneration.
Providing direction, strategic leadership and insight
Transparency and accountability are constant priorities of the board, our sub committees and our small, dedicated team. We believe these high standards ensure that we continue to deliver the highest level of support to children experiencing educational disadvantage.
The board meets a minimum of four times a year and has overall responsibility to ensure the governance of the organisation is in line with best practice and that all operational functions meet all requirements under current legislation, charitable and company law.
Regular reporting
There are 4 committees that also report on a regular basis to the Board, the finance committee, the disbursements committee, the supporters committee and the operations committee.
In 2019, basis.point Board of Directors took the strategic decision to appoint a CEO who was tasked with further developing the organisation following a period of steady growth and evidence that the sustained investment was making a difference to children’s lives.
We continue to work on our strategic plan to ensure growth and sustainable investment in education.
The annual operating budget is closely monitored and arises from income generated in the following ways
- proceeds raised at fundraising events – currently our annual corporate Golf Challenge and Spring Lunch
- Receipts from raffles, auctions and similar at basis.point events
- Tax credits received by basis.point on patron payments
- Donations which the relevant donor directs towards operational expenses
Financial Accounts
As a significant grant maker, basis.point makes its financial statements publicly available in keeping with best practices of transparency, governance and accountability.
basis.point has been granted charitable status by the Irish Revenue Commissioners under CHY reference number 21121. basis.point is registered with the Irish Charities Regulator under CRA number 20084141.
basis.point publishes its accounts on an annual basis (see below for our latest published accounts) and makes annual returns to the Company Registration Office (CRO).
The financial statements are freely available on the basis.point website and have been audited externally by Grant Thornton.
The charity’s accounts and financial reports also comply with the principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP), a legal standard for UK charities which leading Irish charities adopt in the absence of similar legal requirements in Ireland.
We also comply with the requirements set down by the Charity Regulator Authority and the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising created by the organisation Irish Charities Tax Research ICTR.
Governance
We confirm that basis.point complies with The Governance Code for the Community, Voluntary and Charitable Sector in Ireland.
See here for our public statement of compliance.
Complaints Procedure
At basis.point, we rely on the generosity and support of individuals, volunteers, companies and trusts to raise vital funds to support a range of programmes aimed at combatting educational disadvantage.
basis.point is committed to giving you the best possible service at all times. Supporter feedback, including compliments, comments and complaints, provides a valuable source of information by which we can monitor and improve your experience.
When making a complaint remember to provide your name, address and contact phone number and advise if you are acting on behalf of someone else. Briefly describe your complaint, providing dates and times where possible, tell us what your concern is and what you hope to achieve (for example receive an apology). Please let us know your preferred method of communication. A complaint should be made as soon as possible after the action giving rise to it, this is normally within six months of the event.
If the Charity does not succeed in resolving your complaint, you can appeal in writing to the Office of The Charities Regulator, 3 Georges Dock, IFSC, Dublin 1. The Charities Regulator can look into your complaint if you believe that you personally, or persons that you are acting on behalf of have been treated unfairly or have been disadvantaged personally by our service failure.
Correspondence should be addressed in the first instance to Louise Egan and if unresolved will be taken up by our CEO Edel O'Malley. Please mark all correspondence strictly private and confidential.