BNM Funding
How we operate, and how we are funded
We run on volunteer time, not money
Bystanders No More is an all-volunteer, grassroots organisation. We have no employees and no paid volunteers. Nobody who contributes to this organisation receives a salary, a fee, expenses or any other financial compensation for the work they do.
Every hour that goes into our work is given freely, by people who believe in it. That time – the research, the writing, the organising, the late-night problem-solving – is by far the largest contribution this organisation will ever receive, and we are extremely grateful to all our dedicated volunteers.
We have been entirely unfunded to date
We have never received a grant, a sponsorship, a corporate donation, a membership fee or funding of any kind. The modest costs of keeping the organisation running have so far been paid personally, out of pocket, by individual volunteers who thought the work was worth it.
That generosity is why we exist. It is also why we would rather not keep relying on it indefinitely.
Why we are opening a way to contribute
Volunteer time may be free. The tools, however, are not.
As our work grows, so do the practical running costs of doing it properly:
- Website, domain and hosting
- Security, backups and IT
- Software licences and collaboration tools
- Communications and mailing platforms
- Secure file storage
- Occasional design, printing and materials
Rather than continue to ask the same few people to cover these costs from their own pockets, we are simply making an option available. If you value what we do and you are able to help with the bills, you can contribute whatever amount you wish.
There is no minimum. No membership tier. No obligation. Nothing we produce is ever placed behind a paywall, and nothing is withheld from anyone who does not, or cannot, give.
What this is not
This is not a fundraising campaign, and we are not becoming a funded organisation.
- We are not seeking grants, institutional funding or major donors.
- We are not registering as a charity or a company, and we have no plans to.
- We are not building a budget that depends on donations to survive. If nothing comes in, our work continues exactly as it has.
- We will not accept money that arrives with conditions attached to what we say, publish or campaign on.
Remaining small, independent and unfunded is a deliberate choice. It means we answer to nobody but ourselves and the people we work for, and we never have to shape our message to suit a funder. We intend to keep that freedom.
Our commitment to transparency
Because we are asking for nothing more than help with the bills, we think you are entitled to see exactly where every penny goes. We commit to the following:
- Every contribution is recorded. We keep a full log of everything received.
- Every expense is documented. Each cost is itemised and receipted.
- We publish an annual report. Once a year we will publish a full statement showing our opening balance, everything received, an itemised list of everything spent, and our closing balance.
- Funds are only ever spent on running costs. No payment, expense or benefit of any kind goes to any volunteer, organiser or contributor. Not now, not ever.
- We will never sell or share your details. Your contact information is never passed to any other organisation for any reason.
If you would like to help
If you would like to contribute towards our running costs, you can do so below.
Any amount, one-off or regular, is genuinely appreciated – and equally, thank you for being here whether you give or not.
Good To Know:
- We are an unregistered grassroots organisation, not a registered charity. Contributions are gifts towards our running costs, not charitable donations – so they are not eligible for Gift Aid and are not tax-deductible.
- Regular contributions can be cancelled by you at any time, directly and without needing to contact us.