The Fundraising Standards Board has ruled that the WRVS broke the ‘Fundraising Promise’ by failing to provide a complainant with “clear and definitive” information about the costs of a prize draw fundraising appeal.
The FRSB adjudication, released this morning, found that the WRVS campaign was not in breach of the Institute of Fundraising’s codes of practice on either direct mail or lotteries and raffles, but nevertheless breached the ‘Fundraising Promise’ – the agreement to which FRSB members sign up.
While dismissing a host of other issues raised by the single complainant, the FRSB did find that WRVS had not been clear enough in its explanation of the costs of the campaign. WRVS has since, at the FRSB board’s request, responded to the complainant’s question about the campaign costs more clearly.
The FRSB also had concern that the charity did not refer the complainant to the FRSB as a regulator of fundraising complaints and has recommended that WRVS make clear the FRSB’s role when facing complaints in the future.
The WRVS said it was disappointed with the ruling, but that it was always working to improve its processes.
WRVS chief executive David McCullough said that the FRSB adjudication followed “a long process during which the charity repeatedly attempted to resolve the matter with the complainant through written communication and with offers to meet in person”.
He said: “The charity prides itself on its high standards of fundraising and in being open and honest and has since undertaken a thorough review of its complaints procedure to ensure full compliancy with FRSB guidelines. In addition, a FAQ for members of the public providing clarification on the prize draw appeal has been developed and is available on request as well as on our website.”
FRSB recommends addition to Institute codes
The FRSB has also now written to the Institute of Fundraising recommending an addition to its codes of practice on raffles and lotteries. The Institute, which is presently rolling all its codes of fundraising into one document, should make it a requirement of the raffles code that charities comply with the British Code of Advertising, Sales, Promotion and Direct Marketing.
