Must be transparent in receiving and using donations

The Ministry of Finance has just issued Circular No. 04/2023/TT-BTC guiding the management and financial revenue and expenditure for festival organization and donations and sponsorship for relics and festival activities. The Circular takes effect from March 19, 2023.

According to this circular, financial revenue and expenditure activities for festival organization (including festivals at religious establishments) must be very transparent, from festivals organized by state agencies to festivals not organized by state agencies. Specifically, for receiving donations and sponsorships, the organizing committee must open a deposit account at the State Treasury or a commercial bank to reflect the receipt, management and use of donations and sponsorships for relics and festival activities in the form of bank transfer and electronic payment methods.

Regarding cash receipts, a person must be appointed to receive and open a book to record the total amount of money received. For money in the donation box (if any), a daily or weekly count must be conducted and the total amount received must be recorded. For money that is not placed in the right place or is not suitable for the implementation of civilized lifestyle at the relic, it must be collected for counting or put into the donation box for general counting. For cash that is temporarily unused, it must be deposited into an account opened at the State Treasury or a commercial bank to ensure safe and transparent management of donations and sponsorships for relics and festival activities that have been received.

Donation box at Can Linh Pagoda, Vinh City. Photo: Tien Hung

Regarding the receipt of valuable papers, a book must be opened to record the name of the valuable paper, the amount of money written on the valuable paper, and the issuing organization. The organization or individual that is the owner or is assigned to manage and use the relic is responsible for the management and use of the valuable paper, including pre-payment or payment upon maturity, depending on the management requirements and wishes of the donating organization or individual (if any).

Regarding the receipt of precious metals and gemstones, a book must be opened to record the names of precious metals and gemstones and their corresponding values ​​according to the documents provided by the organizations and individuals donating or donating. Organizations and individuals who are the owners or assigned to manage and use the relics are responsible for the management and use of precious metals and gemstones, including organizing auctions, selling to commercial banks or storing and displaying them at the relics, depending on the management requirements and wishes of the organizations and individuals donating or donating (if any).

Regarding the management and use of donations and sponsorship for relics that are also religious establishments, the representative of the religious establishment shall decide and be responsible for receiving, managing and using donations and sponsorship for the protection and promotion of the value of relics and festival activities, ensuring compliance with the provisions of the law on beliefs and religions, the law on cultural heritage and other relevant laws.

Regarding the management and use of donations and sponsorship for relics that are also religious establishments, the representative of the religious establishment shall decide and be responsible for receiving, managing and using donations and sponsorship for the protection and promotion of the value of relics and festival activities, ensuring compliance with the provisions of the law on beliefs and religions, the law on cultural heritage and other relevant laws.

Regarding the management and use of donations and sponsorship for privately owned relics, the relic owner shall decide and be responsible for receiving, managing and using donations and sponsorship for the protection and promotion of the value of the relic and festival activities, ensuring compliance with the provisions of the law on beliefs and religions, the law on cultural heritage and other relevant laws.

This Circular also stipulates that organizations and individuals organizing festivals and organizations and individuals who are owners or are assigned to manage and use relics are responsible for publicly disclosing the collection and expenditure of donations, sponsorships, support, and voluntary contributions to organizations and individuals who have made financial contributions to the organization of festivals, protection, and promotion of the value of relics if requested by these organizations and individuals; promptly providing information when requested by competent authorities in accordance with the provisions of law.