Today, joining the movement for ethical fundraising through La Récolte des Fonds Ethiques (RE-EF) is not only a way to follow legal obligations: it is a driver of transparency, credibility, and social impact. We spoke with Sandrine Bartoletti, Senior Finance Advisor at WeForest, on how ethical fundraising can drive climate action.
What is RE-EF and why is it crucial?
Founded in 1996, RE-EF (La Récolte de Fonds Éthiques) is a Belgian non-profit association created to encourage giving in a way that is both ethical and sustainable. When you become a fellow, you agree to follow a code of ethics for fundraising, earning the right to display the RE-EF label, while also making sure that donors know their contributions are being managed with transparency and accountability.
This moral obligation is more important than ever because today’s partners and the public expect transparency, integrity and responsibility. This gives you a strategic edge when building credibility and trust.
“At a time when trust in NGOs is under pressure, joining La Récolte des Fonds Éthiques is a way for us to show we take accountability seriously and to keep improving our practices. It’s about building stronger, more genuine connections with our supporters while striving for excellence in everything we do.” —Marjorie Unal, Philanthropy and Institutional partnerships Lead, WeForest
What concrete benefits does the RE-EF label bring to WeForest and our donors?
The RE-EF label brings concrete benefits to both our organization and our donors. For WeForest, the RE-EF label provides a framework for ethical fundraising and strengthens our governance practices. For donors, it offers independent reassurance that their contributions are managed responsibly and aligned with their intentions, reinforcing confidence in the long-term impact of their support.
How does the finance team integrate ethics into our fundraising processes?
We apply ethical guidelines to every stage of fundraising. This involves ensuring transparency in how donations are collected, processed, and allocated, and aligning our practices with recognised standards such as RE-EF quality labels. We only accept funds that respect our mission and values, and we make sure our reporting is clear so that donors know their contributions are being used responsibly. It shows that everyone in the organisation is working towards the same goal, which goes well beyond finance.
Can you explain how we track and report on the impact of our contributions to WeForest?
In Weforest a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) team manages all impact data within a clear framework and governance structure, guided by three focus areas: trees, biodiversity, and people. We use SMART indicators and detailed protocols to gather and analyze data through both manual fieldwork and advanced remote technologies such as drones, satellite imagery, and digital platforms like GISCloud and KoboCollect. These data inform impact assessments, support adaptive management, and foster continuous learning across projects. In the end, they make future interventions stronger and help them last longer.
How does the finance team ensure that funds allocated to WeForest are properly managed?
We ensure that funds allocated to WeForest are properly managed through a rigorous process that spans before, during, and after each project.
Before starting, we manage the fundraising pipeline through a centralized CRM tool, which enables easy data updates, close monitoring of both short- and long-term opportunities, and streamlined reporting. This ensures that funds raised through donations and sponsorships are allocated in line with donors’ intentions, giving us a complete overview to match funding needs with our partners’ priorities. We also carry out thorough due diligence and are actively involved in project design and budgeting to make sure resources are aligned with both our mission and donor expectations.
During implementation, funds are released according to project milestones and tied to activity reports, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and agreed deliverables.
Afterward, we provide operational and financial reporting to our partners, ensuring full transparency on how resources were used and what impact was achieved.
Finally, we carry out an annual consolidated audit of accounts, conducted by a certified Belgian audit firm in accordance with the International Standards on Auditing (ISA), as required under Belgian law.
This comprehensive approach guarantees accountability and builds confidence that every euro or dollar delivers tangible outcomes for forests, the climate, and communities.
Why should everyone take part?
We think everyone should take part as the benefits reach every level.
For individuals, giving feels safer and more rewarding when you know your donation is being handled responsibly and ethically.
For companies, it’s a great way to strengthen CSR commitments and what’s powerful is that the outcomes are visible and measurable.
And for society as a whole, initiatives like this build transparency and drive climate action, which not only foster long-term trust but also inspire others to get involved. That’s how we accelerate collective impact together.
Joining RE-EF as a fellow means shaping a future where ethics in fundraising and climate action work side by side. This dual choice creates trust, delivers measurable impact, and inspires collective responsibility. A path every fundraiser and organization should follow.
Your vision, our expertise. Let’s build it together.
For over 15 years, we’ve helped organizations of all sizes and sectors figure out how to make a real difference in restoring forest, positioning their support within CSR strategies and ensuring it is effectively reflected in reporting.
Contact our partnership team to explore how you could make a difference, strategically.
