The wider fundraising sector has offered mixed responses to the recommendations of the Etherington Review, with particular concern reserved for recommendations which could limit contact with donors.
Sir Stuart Etherington's review of fundraising regulation, has been published today. The review, Regulating Fundraising for the Future: Trust in charities, confidence in fundraising regulation, makes widespread recommendations.
The reaction amongst the fundraising community has been divided, with some figures welcoming the proposals, while others have criticised certain recommendations including the implementation of a ‘Fundraising Preference Service’.
Joe Saxton, founder of nfpSynergy (pictured), said: “The Etherington Review will make many fundraisers’ blood run cold. It’s more work, it's more regulation, and it’s probably less money raised.
“However if we want to create sustainable fundraising, we need a regime that will ensure people will give because they love what charities do, not because they feel pressured and hounded. In short pain in the short term, but long-term gain.”
Ian MacQuillin, director of Rogare, the fundraising think tank, said: "It’s very much a review of two halves. I think the first half, the proposals, are fine. It’s been slightly hard on the FRSB, who have done quite a good job considering.
“What’s massively concerning is the Fundraising Preference Service. People don’t give money to charity unless they are asked. The FPS will be damaging for charities in the short term with income, in the long term with building relationships as well as making it nearly impossible to maintain relationships with existing donors. It is not proportionate.”
Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now said:“We welcome the publication of this review; Breast Cancer Now was pleased to feed in to Sir Stuart Etherington’s review and we welcome its recommendations. Restoring public confidence in the work of charities is vital and it is right that fundraising regulation should sit in one clear place.
“Breast Cancer Now aims at all times to comply with and exceed the expectations of fundraising regulation and we reiterate that commitment today. Through our fundraising promise, we are committed to ensuring we respect our supporters, act with transparency, and ensure we keep the personal data of our supporters safe.
Mike Wade, director of fundraising and communications at the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: "As a sector we should welcome the Etherington review. An effective, properly resourced regulator can only be a good thing.
“The proposed universal opt-out from all fundraising – however that is defined – is a very blunt tool indeed, and introduces a level of restriction not seen in any other sector. If it goes ahead, it will need careful thought to ensure donors are still able to get communications they want to receive.”
Wade, who is also a trustee with the IoF, said that he would also like to see the Institute be given “full membership” on the new Code setting body, rather than just be given “observer status”.
Dan Corry, chief executive of NPC, said: “There are still some questions to be resolved. It isn’t wholly clear how far these proposals will simplify a system of regulators which we have criticised as too crowded and confusing.
“We would also want to know more about the independence of any new body: if a parliamentary committee is to review its work, is this a slippery slope to full statutory regulation?”
Operational charities give support
Three of four charities whose chief executives were recently called to give evidence in front of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs committee have issued statements welcoming the recommendations.
Mark Goldring, chief executive of Oxfam GB, said: “We look forward to studying the proposals in more detail and actively contributing to new fundraising rules and practice that meet the high standards expected by the public.”
An NSPCC spokesman said: "The NSPCC has hundreds of thousands of committed supporters who are vitally important to us in our fight for every childhood.
“It’s essential that we restore public confidence and trust in charity fundraising and we welcome the recommendations made by the Etherington Review.”
A Save the Children spokesman said: “Save the Children welcomes the proposal to establish a new fundraising regulator which will have tougher sanctions. We think it will improve the transparency and accountability of fundraising.
“Save the Children has been concerned by some of the practices highlighted by recent investigations by the press into fundraising practices.
"Our Supporter promise guarantees no cold telephone calling to members of the general public, no sharing or selling of any individual’s details unless requested and commits to make it clear and easy for donors to choose how they are contacted.”
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