Minister for civil society Rob Wilson has called on the Institute of Fundraising to introduce changes in fundraising regulation, the umbrella body has revealed today.

Wilson wrote last week to the IoF suggesting five changes to fundraising self-regulation, and the IoF has published an open letter today responding to them.

Wilson's proposals come in the wake of a Fundraising Standards Board report suggesting sweeping changes to the self-regulatory regime. The report follows a public outcry over the apparent suicide of Olive Cooke, a 92-year-old woman who some media outlets said was "hounded to death" by charities.

Wilson’s proposals are as follows:

• Charities should have an opt-in policy for data sharing, including guidance on font sizes
• Fundraisers must obey 'no cold calling' stickers
• Charities using offshore companies must follow Telephone Preference Service rules
• There should be a common list for the removal of personal data from contact lists
• There should be a cooling-off period before donors can be contacted again and asked to increase their donation

The Institute has responded at length in a letter today. It said that all of his suggestions are currently being considered, but urged patience in order that it could develop thorough solutions.

“We completely agree that the respect of the donor is central to every area that is being reviewed and each task group will fully consider the needs of vulnerable people,” the letter says.

“We will also be commissioning research to get robust evidence on the public’s views on the range of issues being considered in order to ensure that the views of those outside fundraising community are brought into the review process.

“We are fully aware of the urgency of this work and are making it an absolutely priority. However the range of areas to be covered does necessitate a thorough and comprehensive review to inform future decisions.

“In setting the standards for fundraising we are constantly aware of the need to balance the growth and maintenance of public trust and confidence in the sector with the duty of charities to raise funds to meet the needs of their beneficiaries.

“As well as this work in relation to raising standards we are also aware that some of the recent adverse public opinion has arisen as a result of poor practice not in compliance with Code.

“As a result we have committee to developing and piloting a new compliance regime and the major charities have specifically committed to help us with this work.”

Wilson’s letter has not been released.

• Last night NCVO chief executive Sir Stuart Etherington called for the IoF to give up responsibility for setting the Code of Fundraising Practice. The IoF has today responded saying that Etherington's suggestions would not allay public concerns.