It was apparent several years ago that fundraising processes were not good enough, and charities tried to pass the blame to one another rather than change them, Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbots told charity leaders yesterday.
Speaking at a seminar on charity fundraising and governance organised by Westminster Social Policy Forum, Lord Hodgson was highly critical of all parties historically involved in regulating fundraising, as well as the large fundraising charities themselves.
In 2012, Hodgson carried out a review of the Charities Act 2006. In it he said the fundraising regulatory system was too weak, and recommended creating a single regulator with more power to govern all fundraising.
His review’s recommendations were not taken up, and it was not until four years later, following critical articles in the Daily Mail, that a single fundraising regulator was created.
Hodgson told the event that when he carried out a review of the Charities Act, it had been “a pretty depressing experience” to discuss fundraising with charities.
“Charities have a right to ask, but the public has a right not to be hassled unduly,” he said. “It was a pretty depressing experience when I worked on that review. Everyone blamed everyone else. No one was prepared to admit fault.”
Vicky Browning, chief executive of Acevo, was also critical of some charities’ attitude towards donors, and said that they had not treated them as supporters and partners.
Some charities have “been guilty of treating donors as commodities rather than partners,” she said.
She said she was keen to see more initiatives like the Commission on the Donor Experience, which is intended to put the donor at the centre of fundraising.
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