The Fundraising Regulator: Should your charity register?
If you work in the third sector, you’ve probably heard of the Fundraising Regulator. But what is it? How does it work? And should your charity register with it?
What is the Fundraising Regulator?
The Fundraising Regulator is an independent organisation that provides accountability and sets fundraising standards (such as the Code of Fundraising Practice), for organisations in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to follow.
Scottish charities are primarily managed by the Scottish Charity Regulator.
The Fundraising Regulator also maintains the Fundraising Directory and investigates complaints made about fundraising and fundraisers.
Do charities have to register?
It’s voluntary to register with the Fundraising Regulator, but it’s good practice to do so, as it shows your charity is committed to legal, open, honest, and respectful fundraising.
Once registered, charities agree to follow the Code of Fundraising Practice.
How do charities register?
Applying to register is quick and easy. All you have to do is fill out a form on their website and they’ll do the rest.
In terms of the registration fee, it depends on how much you spend on fundraising each year. If you spend less than £100,000, it’s £50. If you spend above that, the fee is higher, and there’s a yearly fundraising levy on top to keep the Fundraising Regulator running.
The costs are listed on their website.
The Fundraising Regulator has plans to increase these costs in the coming years, to better support fundraisers, but they will still be tiered, meaning the amount you pay depends on your fundraising budget.
What are the benefits of registering?
Once registered, you can use the fundraising badge (an icon that says ‘registered with the Fundraising Regulator’) on all your fundraising materials. This is a great way to demonstrate to the public that you’re a trustworthy and legitimate organisation.
Considering charity scams increased during the COVID pandemic, it’s more important than ever to show potential donors that their money is safe in your hands.
As well as the badge, every charity registered with the Fundraising Regulator is added to their Fundraising Directory.
Corporates often check the directory for charities to support, so registering could bag you a partnership.
Registered charities can also access fundraising support, training, and advice. Some of it is generic and available for everyone, but some can be tailored directly to your organisation. Either way, it can help you level up your fundraising potential.
Looking for fundraising talent? That’s our area of specialty. Give us a call on 0203 750 3111 or email info@bamboofundraising.co.uk to find out how we can help.