The Fundraising Regulator has today published clarification on religiously motivated giving for charities, emphasising that donations such as in-service collections, offerings, and tithings are all still subject to its code of practice.
Its guidance comes after its recent Casework Insights and Trends Report found that many faith-based charities did not realise that fundraising carried out as part of worship, volunteering, or community life constituted charitable fundraising, and as such, did not always govern those activities in accordance with the code.
In a blog post published today, the regulator’s head of casework Nikki Renken said that the code applies to any request where the charitable gift is “freely given and nothing is received in return – regardless of the terminology or setting”.
Renken cited a recent example where a faith-based charity breached the code by launching a one-off appeal to fundraise for a new church, without explaining what would happen if the target was not met. The charity also failed to have a proper fundraising complaints process in place.
At the time, the regulator wrote that the case showed that “all members of a church who donate are considered members of the public and any fundraising campaign is a public fundraising campaign, requiring the code to be followed and any concerns to be addressed”.
Meanwhile, in February, the regulator identified three code breaches at the Universal Church Kingdom of God (UCKG) after finding that the charity had not taken into account the needs of a member of the church who may have been in vulnerable circumstances and who gave a large donation.
In her piece, Renken said many faith-based organisations operate within close-knit communities, meaning that giving may take place during services, in small groups, or alongside volunteering and pastoral activity.
In these settings, fundraising may not be clearly separated from worship, community life or pastoral care, she wrote.
Renken also said that faith charity leaders may be highly trusted and that donation requests may be made during visits to homes.
“None of this is inherently problematic,” she said. “However, it does increase the importance of recognising fundraising activity and applying appropriate safeguards.”
Renken said in a separate comment: “The Fundraising Regulator can help faith-based organisations understand when fundraising activity falls within the scope of the code and to make sure the right safeguards are in place so that fundraising is carried out openly, respectfully and with appropriate support for those who may be in vulnerable circumstances.”
