The Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIOF) has called for charities to implement a donor code of conduct after many fundraisers reported experiencing inappropriate behaviours in a recent survey.
CIOF and fundraising think tank Rogare surveyed fundraisers on their views and experiences, with more than half reporting that they had experienced donor behaviour that made them feel physically or mentally unsafe.
The membership body has therefore urged charities to sign a pledge committing to develop and implement a donor code of conduct, something which was recommended by Rogare in 2023.
Of the 212 respondents to the survey, 51% reported having experienced behaviour by a donor that made them feel physically or mentally unsafe.
Some 36% said it had never happened to them, but they knew of others who had experienced inappropriate donor or supporter behaviour, while 13% reported that not only had it not happened to them, but they were unaware of others experiencing any inappropriate behaviour.
Of the 96 respondents who completed further questions on their experiences of inappropriate behaviour, nearly nine in 10 said that they had experienced it more than once, while nearly one in 10 said they had felt seriously unsafe on more than one occasion.
The main type of inappropriate behaviour reported by fundraisers in the survey was sexually inappropriate behaviour – including sexual innuendo, banter or unwanted comments, inappropriate physical contact, improper propositioning, and one report of sexual assault.
The survey found that the most significant amount of inappropriate behaviour was committed by major donors and philanthropists and carried out towards major donor and philanthropy fundraisers.
CIOF: Survey results ‘horrifying’
Katie Docherty, chief executive of the CIOF, said: “While this survey represents just a sample of fundraisers operating across the UK, the results from it are simply horrifying and unacceptable.
“Whether it’s one person, or 100 – a report of sexual assault, sexual misconduct or sexually inappropriate behaviour, is one report too many. No one should have to go to their work every day with the fear of this type of behaviour hanging over them.
“And while sexually inappropriate behaviour has been the main problem reported in this survey, it’s not the only one – fundraisers, whether volunteers or staff, have been shouted at and abused for simply doing their jobs and this can no longer continue.”
Damian Chapman, chair of Rogare, said: “We want charities to pledge to safeguard their fundraisers and volunteers – from those who are working in your major donors team to your field fundraisers who are out knocking on doors or speaking to people in the street, to your events teams who are staffing cheer stations at major events like the London Marathon.
“While it’s unacceptable that they may experience this behaviour, they should feel confident that they can report any issues and know they will be dealt with properly and efficiently, which is why a donor code of conduct is so important.”
