More than half of fundraisers have experienced inappropriate behaviour by a donor or supporter that “made them feel physically or mentally unsafe”, a study has found.

The most cited incident relates to sexually inappropriate behaviour, including sexual innuendo, unwanted comments, in appropriate physical contact, improper propositioning and one report of sexual assault.

Major donors and philanthropists are the most common perpetrators, but it happens among all donors and supporters, including among friends and trust or foundation representatives.

The Chartered Institute of Fundraising and think tank Rogare, which have published the study, are calling on charities to sign a pledge to develop and implement a Donor Code of Conduct.

This would “safeguard fundraisers from inappropriate donor or supporter behaviour”, they say.

During the survey 212 fundraisers responded to questions about whether they have experienced inappropriate donor or supporter behaviour. Among these 51% said they have directly encountered such behaviour

This also found that a third said that while it had not happened to them it had to colleagues and other fundraisers they know.

Only around one in seven said that they had not experienced such behaviour and didn’t know of it happening to any colleagues.

Meanwhile 96 respondents answered further questions about inappropriate behaviour. This found that almost nine in ten had experience such conduct more than once. Just under one in ten have felt “seriously unsafe on more than one occasion”.

More than half say that such behaviour “happens regularly enough that they have to be ready for it”.

“While this survey represents just a sample of fundraisers operating across the UK, the results from it are simply horrifying and unacceptable,” said CIoF chief executive Katie Docherty.

“No one should have to go to their work every day with the fear of this type of behaviour hanging over them.”

Bullying and racism concerns

Rogare chair Damian Chapman added: “Sexual harassment is the most extreme form of donor behaviour that might make fundraisers feel unsafe - but it is not the only one.

“Bullying both verbal and physical, making disparaging comments about a fundraiser’s protected characteristics, such as their race or sexual orientation, or interfering with their work or career might all harm a fundraiser’s psychological wellbeing.”

He added: “We want charities to pledge to safeguard their fundraisers and volunteers - from those who are working in your major donors team to your field fundraisers who are out knocking on doors or speaking to people in the street, to your events teams who are staffing cheer stations at major events like the London Marathon.

“While it’s unacceptable that they may experience this behaviour, they should feel confident that they can report any issues and know they will be dealt with properly and efficiently, which is why a Donor Code of Conduct is so important.”

Scottish Ballet’s code

Among charities with a code of conduct in place is Scottish Ballet, which introduced its Donor Guiding Principles six months ago.

“Six months on from its introduction, there has not been an incident for which the principles have needed to be invoked,” said its director or philanthropy Antonia Brownlee.

“But just having them in place has made Scottish Ballet’s fundraisers feel more confident in dealing with any problems that might arise.

“Having this donor code of conduct has really empowered us to feel confident in starting values-led conversations at the very beginning in discovery meetings with potential donors.”

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