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| STARK
WARNING FOR CHARITIES USING FUNDRAISING AGENCIES |
11/08/03 |
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The
Charity Commission has threatened action against any charities failing to
carry out proper checks on their fundraising companies.
The warning has been sparked by a report from the Commission's investigation
of a fundraising company, which illustrates how important it is for charities
to actively manage their relationships with commercial partners to make
sure they comply with the law.
The Commission calls on charities to check the credentials of a company
they want to work in partnership with to make sure the donating public is
not misled.
Also, it reminds groups that any fundraiser working on behalf of a charity
is obliged to make a statement advising donors of their fee, otherwise they
are breaking the law and are liable for prosecution.
The Charity Commission has published guidance on this issue and will provide
support to charities and their partners on best practice as laid out in
the Commission's Regulatory Report, Charities and Commercial Partners (RS2).
If charities still fail to comply, the Commission says it will take firm
action, such as opening a formal investigation, freezing charitable funds
or appointing a receiver and manager.
Simon Gillespie, director of operations at the Charity Commission said:
"Members of public must be able to make informed decisions about how they
give to charities. We would encourage charities to take extra care to make
sure that commercial organisations acting on their behalf are doing so properly."
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