DOCUMENT ID: LODGE-14
TITLE: Funding Principles
VERSION: 1.0
STATUS: Active Draft
APPLIES TO: Charity Helpers Foundation (501(c)(3)) and Civic Helpers Network (501(c)(4), planned)

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FUNDING PRINCIPLES

PURPOSE

This document defines the principles governing funding, donations, and financial support related to lodges.
Its purpose is to prevent donor capture, protect autonomy, and ensure ethical and lawful handling of funds.

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NO PAY-TO-PLAY

Participation in lodges is not contingent on financial contribution.

Donations or funding:
- do not grant authority
- do not grant voting power
- do not grant priority access
- do not influence decisions

Money supports work. It does not buy control.

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NO DONOR CAPTURE

Lodges and affiliated entities reject donor capture.

This means:
- no single donor controls direction
- no donor dictates outcomes
- no donor overrides participation standards
- no donor receives special privileges

Funding is accepted only when it aligns with mission and boundaries.

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PURPOSE-LOCKED FUNDS

Funds must be used only for their stated and approved purpose.

This includes:
- project-specific donations
- program-specific contributions
- restricted gifts

Misuse of funds is grounds for immediate corrective action.

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TRANSPARENCY EXPECTATIONS

Where funds are handled:
- basic records must be kept
- use must be documented
- disclosures must be truthful

Transparency protects participants and donors alike.

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NO UNSOLICITED FUNDING OBLIGATIONS

Lodges are not obligated to:
- accept unsolicited funding
- respond to unsolicited requests
- coordinate projects based on external pressure

Declining funding does not require justification.

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ENTITY SEPARATION

Funding must respect legal separation.

Funds may not:
- cross between charitable and civic entities
- be pooled across entities
- be used to subsidize prohibited activity

Separation protects compliance.

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LOCAL FUNDING DISCRETION

Where permitted, lodges may:
- support approved projects
- coordinate local fundraising
- decline funding that creates risk or conflict

Local discretion operates within documented limits.

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SUMMARY

Funding exists to enable work, not control it.

Clear principles protect autonomy, trust, and integrity.

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END OF DOCUMENT
