Airwars is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Airwars is considered tax-exempt in the UK, on the condition that we continue to fulfil our commitments to charitable endeavours and do not seek to generate profit from our work. Airwars is registered with UK Companies House, Company Number 10314448.
Airwars is deemed to be the equivalent of a US charity, as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code (IRC), which has the following requirements:
“To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.”
Airwars’ current Foreign Public Charity Equivalence Determination (ED) certificate is available via NGOsource.org
We are funded primarily by philanthropic organisations, academic research grants and by public donations, along with significant pro bono contributions from our volunteers.
Among those who have supported or continue to support our work are the following:
Philanthropic funds:
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund
Reva and David Logan Foundation
Joffe Trust
Open Society Foundations
IJ4EU
Swedish Postcode Lottery
Stichting Democratie en Media
European Media Fund
Google News Initiative
Fred Foundation
Rockefeller Brothers Fund
Network for Social Change
Funds received in partnership with:
PAX for Peace
Article 36
The Zomia Center
Academic funds and partnerships:
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Partnership Development Grant with Dr. Nisha Shah (University of Ottawa), Dr. Thomas Gregory (University of Auckland), Dr. Craig Jones (Newcastle University), and Prof. Helen Kinsella (University of Minnesota).
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship with Dr Craig Jones, Newcastle University
Arts and Humanities Research Council – in support of awardee Dr David Young at Kings College London
Ethical funding policy
Airwars complies with all relevant legislation in jurisdictions from which we receive funds, including money laundering rules, international sanctions requirements and the UK Bribery Act.
All decisions to accept funding are made by the Executive Board, informed by an assessment of the providence of funds, reputation and activities of the fund-giving organisation, and complementarity of motivation and mission of the fund-giving organisation with Airwars’ values. Among the assessment criteria is also a review of potential conflict of interest given the states and conflicts we work in, and a wider association with the funder to compromise Airwars’ mission and impact goals.
Airwars is a public interest organisation committed to the principles of accountability and transparency. We do not provide any information privately to funders based on our documentation activities in the contexts we operate in.
Purchasing
Airwars will not knowingly purchase goods or services produced or delivered by organisations engaged in the activities listed above, or under conditions which involve any form of abuse or exploitation of third parties. Evidence (not exhaustive) of such abuse and exploitation includes:
Banking
As an organisation which strives to be ethical in its own practices, Airwars will ensure wherever possible that its own banking services are provided by suppliers who can demonstrate a clear commitment to ethical investment principles and practices.