Fundraising Regulator reveals brand new Code of Fundraising Practice

The Fundraising Regulator has launched a new and improved Code of Fundraising Practice which will come into effect in October 2019.

The changes are designed to make it easier for fundraisers, charities and third-party organisations to understand the standards expected of them when fundraising. The new code is also easier for the public to navigate so that they know what to expect from ethical fundraising.

The changes include the following:

• Consolidation of the former code, rulebooks and legal appendices so that all of the standards can be found in one code
• Clearer navigation by restructuring the standards into three parts so that users can clearly identify which standards apply depending on the type of fundraising they do
• Clarification of where there are differences in law in England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland
• Transparent, jargon-free language, following an independent review by the Plain English campaign, which gave the code a Crystal Mark standard
• These changes follow a consultation in autumn 2018, which focused on the style, presentation, clarity and accessibility of the current code. The full consultation report can be found here.

Suzanne McCarthy, Chair of the Fundraising Regulator’s Standards Committee, said: 

“The Code of Fundraising Practice is key to charitable institutions and fundraisers as they develop their fundraising strategies, training, policies and activities.

“We have listened to the sector and have developed a code that can be used confidently and with ease to help charities in meeting their responsibilities to the public.”

Fundraisers have between now and the October 2019 effective date to familiarise themselves with the new code. Complaints will continue to be considered against the version of the code in effect at the time of the incident. This means the new code will be used as the basis for making decisions about any incidents that take place from October onwards.

The Fundraising Regulator’s website is currently being developed so that the code is easy to navigate online. The site will be re-launched when the new code comes into force.