The Institute of Fundraising (Iof) has today launched a new, single Code of Fundraising Practice underpinned by the four key principles - legal, open, honest and respectful - that places the IoF at the heart of self-regulation in the sector.

Launching the Code, Stephen Pidgeon, chair of the IoF Standards Committee that initiated and led the development of the new code, said: “I'm immensely proud that after a year of consultation and hard work by many IoF staff and members we have reduced the 28 original Codes of Fundraising Practice to one. They were long and repetitive, and in some cases contradictory.

“Every word of the new code is now a professional requirement if you are an IoF member. I’m delighted we’ve been able to bring the Codes together as one Code that will continue to evolve, keeping up with changes and innovations in fundraising. Working in our sector is a privilege, but it also has its obligations. Contributing fully to our sector - particularly the public's view of it - is essential.”

Speaking at the launch, the minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd said: “Fundraising is the lifeblood of charitable work and an important way in which people can make a real difference to the things they care about the most.

"The rules surrounding fundraising must therefore be responsive to the needs of charities and maintain the trust of the public. The Institute of Fundraising’s new Code of Fundraising Practice is much clearer and simpler, whilst remaining authoritative, and I welcome this important step forward in self-regulation.”

Mark Astarita, chair of the IoF, said that the development of the new Code of Fundraising Practice was a hugely significant move for the IoF: “Self-regulation in fundraising is a real success story in our sector, and the Codes of Fundraising Practice have been at the heart of that success for over 20 years.

"Our Standards Committee and the sector have committed a great deal of time and energy into refining the Codes into one, and we’re delighted to be celebrating this as we launch the new, single Code of Fundraising Practice.

“Lord Hodgson’s review of the Charities Act has enabled the IoF to clarify its role as the single code setter for fundraisers. The IoF will ensure that self-regulation continues to build and inspire long term public trust and confidence in charities.”

The Code of Fundraising Practice represents the standards set by, and expected of all Institute members and corporate supporters. The principle of self-regulation is to allow individuals and fundraising organisations to demonstrate best practice, eliminate poor practice and increase public trust and confidence in the voluntary and community sector.

There are two key parts to self-regulation:

The Code of Fundraising Practice contains the standards that the fundraising community sets through the work of the Institute of Fundraising’s Standards Committee, as well as offering legal guidance in key areas.

The Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB) acts as an independent public complaints system for the self-regulatory scheme, licensing the scheme’s logo to its members and offering a system of redress for the public. Members of the FRSB scheme are required to adhere to the Code of Fundraising Practice.

The Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB) welcomed the new Code of Fundraising Practice, against which the FRSB will continue to regulate fundraising practice.

FRSB noted the consolidation of 28 Codes into one comprehensive document ensures that the UK’s best practice standards for fundraising are now more accessible and user-friendly for fundraising practitioners.

Alistair McLean, chief executive of the Fundraising Standards Board, said: “The fundraising standards set out in the new streamlined Code clearly define what can and cannot be done when raising money for charity in the UK.

"It is against these standards that the FRSB continues to regulate and we welcome the clarifications made to guidance within, particularly around cash collections. Within the new Code, there is a clear focus on the overarching principles that constitute good fundraising and less ambiguity and duplication from one discipline to another."

“If we are to succeed in protecting and building public trust and confidence, each and every fundraiser and fundraising organisation must commit to follow this guidance.”

1,450 fundraising organisations (accounting for around half of voluntary income in the UK) subscribe to the UK’s self-regulatory scheme for fundraising.

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