The Chartered Institute of Fundraising, along with Rogare - the Fundraising Think Tank, has today called on charities across the UK to sign a pledge committing to develop and implement a Donor Code of Conduct that will safeguard fundraisers from inappropriate donor or supporter behaviour. This comes after more than half of surveyed fundraisers reported having experienced behaviour by a donor or supporter that made them feel physically or mentally unsafe.
Earlier this year, the CIOF and Rogare asked fundraisers to anonymously submit their views and experiences of inappropriate behaviour from donors or supporters via an online portal. There were 212 responses, highlighting the following:
These stats relate to the 96 respondents who completed further questions about inappropriate behaviour:
The main type of inappropriate behaviour reported by fundraisers in the survey was sexually inappropriate behaviour - including sexual innuendo, banter or unwanted comments, inappropriate physical contact, improper propositioning, and one report of sexual assault.
The survey found that the most significant amount of inappropriate behaviour was committed by major donors and philanthropists / carried out towards major donor and philanthropy fundraisers, but respondents also reported it from other types of donors and supporters, including event participants, friends groups, legacy/bequest donors, and trusts and foundations.
Katie Docherty, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, said: “While this survey represents just a sample of fundraisers operating across the UK, the results from it are simply horrifying and unacceptable.
“Whether it’s one person, or 100 - a report of sexual assault, sexual misconduct or sexually inappropriate behaviour, is one report too many. No one should have to go to their work every day with the fear of this type of behaviour hanging over them.
“And while sexually inappropriate behaviour has been the main problem reported in this survey, it’s not the only one - fundraisers, whether volunteers or staff, have been shouted at and abused for simply doing their jobs and this can no longer continue. That is why the CIOF, with Rogare, is calling on all charities across the UK to sign our pledge, committing to developing and implementing a Donor Code of Conduct for their organisation - fundraisers are the beating hearts of our sector and we need to ensure they are properly safeguarded from these types of behaviours.”
A code of conduct for donor behaviour was one of the recommendations from Rogare’s Blueprint to Dismantle Patriarchal Structures in Fundraising.
Damian Chapman, chair of Rogare, said: “In this day and age, no one should be going to work worrying that they might be sexually assaulted or constantly having the thought of inappropriate behaviour in the back of their mind.
“Sexual harassment is the most extreme form of donor behaviour that might make fundraisers feel unsafe - but it is not the only one. Bullying both verbal and physical, making disparaging comments about a fundraiser’s protected characteristics, such as their race or sexual orientation, or interfering with their work or career might all harm a fundraiser’s psychological wellbeing.
“We want charities to pledge to safeguard their fundraisers and volunteers - from those who are working in your major donors team to your field fundraisers who are out knocking on doors or speaking to people in the street, to your events teams who are staffing cheer stations at major events like the London Marathon. While it’s unacceptable that they may experience this behaviour, they should feel confident that they can report any issues and know they will be dealt with properly and efficiently, which is why a Donor Code of Conduct is so important.”
Antonia Brownlee, Director of Philanthropy at Scottish Ballet, said: “We introduced our own Donor Guiding Principles six months ago, after a two-year process that included internal consultation with Board members, consultations with fundraisers and input from dancers, whom the code is also designed to protect.
“We chose to restate the values that Scottish Ballet adheres to - such as anti-racism, and a zero tolerance approach to discrimination and improper conduct - and invited supporters to join the organisation in living those values.”
These principles are sent to patrons when they first join, asking them to confirm that they have read and acknowledge the code, and are resent when patrons renew their annual support.
Antonia added: “Six months on from its introduction, there has not been an incident for which the principles have needed to be invoked. But just having them in place has made Scottish Ballet’s fundraisers feel more confident in dealing with any problems that might arise - having this donor code of conduct has really empowered us to feel confident in starting values-led conversations at the very beginning in discovery meetings with potential donors.”