A new rulebook for private site fundraising has been introduced by the Fundraising Regulator, and existing rulebooks for street and door-to-door fundraising have been updated.

The new rulebook follows a review by the regulator and the Institute of Fundraising, which identified a need for a rulebook that covers privately owned sites like supermarkets and shop porches. The existing street fundraising rulebook already covered high streets.

The rulebook focuses on site specific standards including avoiding behaviours that could cause members of the public to become startled or anxious, or bring the charity represented into disrepute.

Potential donors must be able to make a fully informed decision to donate and all information provided should be clear and accurate, the rules state, and fundraising teams should be positioned to avoid obstructing pedestrians and disrupting businesses.

The rules cover being clearly identifiable as a fundraiser, wearing an identification badge and charity branded clothing where appropriate.

Chair of the regulator’s standards committee Suzanne McCarthy said the new rulebook has been designed in consultation with fundraisers to ensure a clear and consistent set of standards across all face-to face-fundraising.

“We look forward to continuing our work with fundraisers and thank them for their support.”

The regulator has also updated existing rulebooks for street and door-to-door fundraising to strengthen the links between the rulebooks and the Code of Fundraising Practice.

The revised versions distinguish between the Fundraising Regulator’s public-facing role and the IoF’s operational compliance role. The rulebooks clarify that the regulator will deal with public concerns through its standard complaints procedure.

The revised rulebooks will reference compliance arrangements between the IoF and its members, but rules relating to the operation of these arrangements will be relocated to the IoF website.

IoF director of compliance Peter Hills-Jones said private site fundraising is vital for many of the institute’s members.

“This new rulebook will therefore be a welcome tool to help fundraisers, and together with the Institute of Fundraising’s mystery shopping programme shows the strength of self-regulation,” Hills-Jones said. “By working in partnership with the Fundraising Regulator, we are further improving the sustainability of this important form of fundraising.”

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