The Fundraising Regulator has defended the remuneration of its board members, after more of the top 50 fundraising charities joined the RNIB in expressing concerns.

Last week, Lesley-Anne Alexander, chief executive of the RNIB, told Civil Society News that she was reluctant to contribute to the Fundraising Regulator until she knew more about “what I get for my money”.

A number of the remaining 22 charities, including Children’s Society and Dogs Trust, have since confirmed that they are waiting on more information about what exactly the requested funds will be used for before agreeing to pay.

Joe Jenkins, director of fundraising at the Children's Society, said: "It is surprising that the new regulator is proposing to pay trustees using charitable donations – an expense we feel should be thoroughly investigated and questioned." 

“We are supportive of a new Fundraising Regulator,” he said. “But our trustees are concerned that our supporters’ valuable donations are spent wisely and contribute towards helping the most vulnerable young people in society”. 

Dunmore reacts

Stephen Dunmore, the interim chief executive of the Fundraising Regulator (pictured), defended the payment of the new body’s board members in a statement this morning.

He said that the Fundraising Regulator was a company limited by guarantee without share capital, not a charity and could thus remunerate its board.

Dunmore also said that it was “usual practice” for regulators to pay board members and said “the £300 per day rate on board business is in line with what the Charity Commission pays its board members”.

He also said that, while he knew that charity boards are composed of volunteers, “it is possible for them to be remunerated in some circumstances and the Charity Commission has published guidance about this”.

Charities express concern over start-up funding  

Earlier in February it emerged that Dunmore had written on behalf of the new regulator to a list of 50 charities which had been put together by the IoF based on voluntary income.

Lord Grade, chair of the Fundraising Regulator, told Civil Society Media's Fundraising Live conference earlier this month that 28 of the 50 charities had agreed to help with getting the new Regulator set up.

Two weeks later, the regulator has yet to receive any further “positive responses” from the remaining 22 charities on its list, Dunmore said today.