Donation and Fundraising Policy

Last updated: 30 September 2026

Our commitment to donors

Every gift to Cistern of Hope Foundation is received with gratitude and used responsibly to fight poverty and restore dignity in the communities we serve. We are accountable for every shilling entrusted to us.

How online giving works

Online gifts are processed by Paystack, a licensed payment provider. You can give by card or mobile money, including M-Pesa. Your payment details are entered with Paystack and are never seen or stored by our website.

Each gift receives a unique reference beginning with COH, which appears on your confirmation and helps us trace your gift if you contact us.

How your gift is used

Where you choose a programme area, we direct your gift to that work. If a programme is fully funded or can no longer proceed, we will use your gift where the need is greatest, in line with our mission, unless you ask us not to.

Unrestricted gifts are used where they are needed most across our programmes and the costs of running them responsibly.

Receipts

You will receive a payment confirmation from Paystack by email. If you need an official receipt from the Foundation, email us with your gift reference.

Refunds

We understand that mistakes happen. If you gave the wrong amount, gave twice by accident, or did not authorise a payment, contact us within 30 days of the gift with your reference and we will review your request and, where appropriate, refund it to the original payment method.

Because gifts are put to work quickly, we cannot usually refund a gift after 30 days, or once it has been spent on programme activity, except where the law requires it.

Approved refunds are processed through Paystack. The time it takes to reach you depends on your bank or mobile money provider.

Anonymous gifts

If you choose to give anonymously, we do not publish your name. We still keep a private record so that your gift can be accounted for and, if needed, refunded.

Fraud and security

We never ask for your card PIN, M-Pesa PIN or passwords. If someone contacts you claiming to collect money for Cistern of Hope Foundation and you are unsure, please contact us directly before giving.

Questions: email info@cisternofhopefoundation.org or call +254 182 751 610.

Fundraising on our behalf

We welcome individuals, schools, churches and companies who want to raise money for our work. Please contact us before you start, so we can agree how the money will be collected, which programme it will support, and how you may use our name and logo.

Funds raised for us should be paid directly to the Foundation, through our website or our official payment details confirmed by our team. Never collect money in our name in cash or through personal accounts without our written agreement.

Our fundraising standards

• We tell donors honestly what their gift will do and report back on our work.
• We never pressure anyone to give, and we respect a request to stop contacting you.
• We do not sell or share donor details.
• We use photographs and stories only with consent, and protect the dignity of the people in them.
• Our accounts are audited each year, as our Constitution requires.