The Fundraising Regulator is updating the Code of Fundraising practice: Have your say!
Back in September, we published a blog post titled The Fundraising Regulator: Should your charity register?
A quick recap: The Fundraising Regulator is an independent body that regulates fundraising across the charitable sector in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They set and maintain standards in the Code of Fundraising Practice to ensure that fundraising is carried out legally, honestly, and respectfully. They also investigate complaints about fundraising.
It’s not mandatory for charities to register, but it’s a good idea to do so, as it will add credibility to your brand and demonstrate your commitment to lawful fundraising.
Updating the code
Over the next two years, the Fundraising Regulator is reviewing and updating the Code of Fundraising Practice (a document that outlines the standards expected of charitable organisations across the UK.)
Why are they updating it?
A new version of the code was published in 2019, but COVID-19 changed the fundraising landscape and brought about a lot of changes that weren’t being addressed.
Gerald Oppenheim, CEO of the Fundraising Regulator explained, “we're thinking about how we can reflect [digital] through in the different parts of the code to remind people that if you're fundraising digitally, as opposed to face-to-face, there’s still a need to ensure you're fundraising lawfully.”
Have your say!
To kick off the review, the regulator wants charities, agencies, and other fundraising professionals to share their thoughts about how the code can be improved.
It’s asking respondents to consider the following questions:
Which parts of the code do you think work well, and why?
Are there any issues relating to charitable fundraising that the code does not adequately cover?
Do any standards in the code need be updated, for example, to reflect advancements in technology, or new legislation?
Do any parts of the code contain overly prescriptive or unnecessary standards?
Are there any ways in which the code could be made shorter, clearer, or more accessible?
The regulator is particularly keen to hear from organisations that struggle to have their voices heard, such as smaller charities.
They also want to consult with donors and members of the public, so they can consider the needs and experiences of individuals being asked to give, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances.
What will the Fundraising Regulator do with the information?
It will turn the feedback into a proposal for updating the code and conduct a 12-week public consultation on the potential changes in the autumn of 2023.
The revised code will be published on the Fundraising Regulator’s website in autumn 2024, along with a timetable for implementation.
How to respond
Guidelines for responding can be found here. The closing date is Friday 25 November 2022 at 5pm.
Looking for trustworthy fundraisers to join your team? We can help. Give us a call on 0203 750 3111 to get the conversation started.