THE CHALLENGES FOR FUNDRAISING PRACTICE AND GOVERNANCE

“Charity trustees and managers have too often been absent from

discussions on fundraising practices and values.”

Review of Fundraising Regulation

“Maintaining public trust in charity fundraising must be the first

priority. Trustees must accept this in full, demonstrate this acceptance

in changed attitudes and behaviour, and recognise it is their mission

and values which should drive the governance of their charity.”

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee

RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES

CHARITIES (PROTECTION AND SOCIAL

INVESTMENT) ACT

New reporting requirements for trustees:

• charities with income over £1m

• approach to fundraising

• whether they use commercial fundraisers

• how they protect vulnerable people

NEW CHARITY COMMISSION GUIDANCE:

TRUSTEE AND FUNDRAISING (CC20)

UNDERSTANDING THE RULES AND REGULATIONS

STAYING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LAW

TEN QUESTIONS EVERY TRUSTEE SHOULD

BE ABLE TO ANSWER1. What are your responsibilities when it comes to fundraising?

2. Are you happy that your charity is compliant with all fundraising standards and legislation?

3. Do you monitor how many fundraising complaints have been received?

4. Is your charity transparent and accountable in its approach to fundraising?

5. How is your charity’s fundraising approach sustainable?

6. What is your charity’s fundraising strategy?

7. Do you have robust processes in place to ensure you have appropriate fundraising policies, systems, culture and control mechanisms?

8. Which fundraising methods do you use?

9. Who delivers your fundraising? Are you confident that they are doing so legally and to the highest standards?

10. Are you confident your fundraising expenditure is being used as effectively as possible?

ETHICS AND GOOD PRACTICE

NCVO RECOMMENDATIONS ON CONSENT

WHAT WILL IT REQUIRE FROM TRUSTEES?

• Willingness to develop true empathy with donors.

• Willingness to commit to an approach based on developing deeper, longer-lasting relationships with donors.

• Willingness consider not only the individual impact of their charity’s approach but also the impact on trust in the charity sector as a whole.

• Willingness to operate transparently and respond to feedback even if not in the short-term financial interest of the charity.

• Commitment to play a part in rebuilding trust in the charity sector based on a principled approach.

TEN GOLDEN RULES FOR TRUSTEES

1. Everything begins with a strategy.

2. Think long term.

3. Do the right thing.

4. Don’t put all our eggs in one basked.

5. Talk to others.

6. Put yourself in your donors’ shoes.

7. Play your part.

8. Ask the right questions.

9. Work as a team.

10. Keep it on the agenda.

“Getting fundraising right is vital to the reputation of your

charity. It’s one of the key drivers of public trust and

confidence in charities.”

Sarah Atkinson, Charity Commission

“The reality is that the sector is as strong as its weakest link

and it is up to all of us to make sure that our collective

reputation is high.”

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts