Update from the Fundraising Regulator and Q&A

We are approaching the end of a three-year review of the Code of Fundraising practice. Following an initial Call for Information in 2022, and a consultation last year on proposed changes to the new Code, the Regulator has opened a final consultation to give charities and their partners a chance to feedback on all standards, ahead of them being finalised next year. 

For this consultation, we get a full picture of what the next Code will look like and the opportunity to feedback on every section. To help you understand which standards have changed, the Regulator has published a table of changes that explains which areas have been re-written or amended.  

Alongside this, they are also asking for views on three new Code Compliance Guides (CCGs) to help charities with documenting decision making, due-diligence and monitoring third-party fundraisers.   

You can find the proposed Code and the guidance here.  

Building on the suggestions members put forward in the initial Call for Information, this new Code is considerably more streamlined, with 45% fewer words. Many standards have been merged to create more holistic ones, centered around key principles that underpin legal, open, honest and respectful fundraising. For example, in the current Code, Section 15: Legacies has four standards (15.3.1., 15.3.3., 15.3.4. and 15.3.5) on how fundraisers should interact with donors at events and meetings, these have been combined into one new standard: 

“You must behave respectfully towards potential testators. As part of this, you must ensure that fundraisers: 

• are open about the reason for an invitation to an event where legacies will be discussed; 

• do not act in a way which could be considered unreasonably pressurising; 

• carry out meetings in a suitable way, which is sensitive to the potential testator's interests and concerns; 

• keep a record of all meetings and communications with the potential testator's; and 

• accept the potential testator's right to 

• invite other people of their choice to all meetings; 

• decline a meeting; or 

• end a meeting at any time.” 

Overall, we think this approach is an important step towards recognising fundraisers’ professionalism and commitment to maintaining the highest standards. By making the Code less prescriptive, fundraisers have the freedom to shape their own best practice and give donors the right experience that is tailored to their needs.  

We understand, however, that for some areas of fundraising members would prefer more detail to support compliance. Equally, many members have questions on how this change will impact investigations and casework. As such, we are eager to hear your thoughts on the new standards and if there will be any challenges putting them into practice which we can raise in this consultation, as well as with the Regulator.   

This is a crucial turning point in fundraising regulation and this consultation is essential to ensuring the new Code is accessible for every charity.

We want to hear from all members on how the proposed standards and guidance could be improved.

You can share your thoughts by: 

• Arranging a 1-2-1 call with me by emailing charlottes@ciof.org.uk 

• Filling out this short questionnaire.  

We look forward to working with you to shape the next phase of fundraising regulation.