On 1 November the Fundraising Regulator’s “slimmed down” Code of Fundraising Practice came into effect. The new code, which is 45% shorter than its predecessor, was issued by the regulator back in April and there are some key features you should be aware of if you haven’t already familiarised yourself with its directives.
Firstly, it has replaced instructions for charities not to pay contracted fundraisers “excessive amounts” or by commission in most cases, with a broader direction to “give appropriate consideration to the approach you choose for paying fundraisers and whether this fits the values of your charitable institution”.
The new code has removed other rules such as those on paying charity trustees for fundraising and instead signposts to other guidance and legislation.
The regulator has also reworded requirements regarding the behaviour of fundraisers, replacing a direction for fundraisers to be “polite at all times” with one that states their activities must be “carried out in a way that reflects positively on fundraising in general”.The new guidance says that fundraisers must not “upset or cause anxiety to potential donors” or behave in a way that is “dishonest or manipulative or tries to make potential donors feel guilty; or could damage the reputation of the charitable institution or fundraising in general”.
Most recently there have been some further updates including one that says ID badges must contain the name of, and contact details for, either the charitable institution the fundraiser is collecting for or the third-party employer.
There is rewording of guidance on processing fees in relation to unstaffed collections and a further update on will-writing services, which states that charities must give “the testator at least two providers to choose from, without providing a recommendation”.
As we’ve seen from recent cases, charities can easily (and accidentally) fall foul of guidance, so everyone needs to stay vigilant and operate compliance throughout the fundraising funnel. You can download the full code from the regulator’s website. If you haven’t already read it, then now is the time to do so.
Stephen Cotterill is editor of Fundraising Magazine.
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