PFRA backs TPS reform effort and prepares for potential backlash

Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 10 Aug 2009

The Public Funding Regulatory Association (PFRA) has thrown its weight behind calls to reform the telephone preference system (TPS), saying fundraisers should not fear consumer backlash.

The representative body for face-to-face fundraising has backed recommendations that charity fundraising calls be exempted from the TPS, which allows individuals to opt out of all cold calls and currently does not distinguish fundraising from sales calls.

A PFRA spokesman: “The fundraising sector must have the confidence to ask for changes to systems it considers inequitable.

“We know from past experience that some fundraisers have been reluctant to defend F2F fundraising for fear of alienating public opinion. So although any campaign to reform the TPS risks a confrontation with the consumer protection lobby, the fundraising sector must be prepared to take this on.”

The call for reform was the subject of a white paper released by telephone fundraising company Relationship Marketing in June. The paper suggests there should be a full exemption for charity calls or reforms to allow consumers to elect to receive or block charity cold calls by establishing a separate category for fundraising.

The Institute of Fundraising is still considering whether it will back Relationship Marketing’s campaign and has sent out the company's survey to its membership to gauge opinion. The deadline for responses is 21 August.

Directory: Institute of Fundraising | The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA)
Who's Who: Celina Ribeiro

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