Complaints around fundraising have increased markedly since before the pandemic, according to the Fundraising Regulator's latest annual report.

Its complaints caseloads stood at 1,056 in 2021/22, an increase of 26% on pre Covid figures in 2019/20.

The increase comes amid growth in public awareness of the regulator. This has more than doubled since 2019 from less than one in ten members of the public aware of its work, to one in five in 2021/22.

Complaints it is investigating are also “proving to be more complex to resolve”, states the regulator’s annual report. This includes “systematic” investigations looking at more than one complaint involving an organisation, as well as involving joint working with other regulators.

“All of these factors can take additional time and resource, especially if legal advice is required,” said the regulator.

During 2021/22 it closed 789 enquiries, most (98%) within seven days. This exceeds its target of closing 90% of enquiries within this period.

Of closed enquiries, just under half (44%) were raised by charities or their trustees and around a quarter (27%) were from the public.

We’ve published our latest annual report and accounts, covering the highlights of our financial year 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2022. Download the report from our website to find out more about our key achievements https://t.co/QnMcZ1oX5b pic.twitter.com/RTGsn1itmF

— FundraisingRegulator (@FundrRegulator) March 8, 2023

Fundraising Regulator chief executive Gerald Oppenheim said: “We are strengthening our proactive approach to casework with the intention of identifying emerging issues before they crystallise and intervene to prevent harm to the public or sector.

“This includes launching an online self-reporting tool for fundraising organisations to tell us about potential breaches of fundraising standards, so that we can provide advice on the most appropriate response.”

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