Ethical Fundraising Policy

As a registered charity, [Charity name] is committed to raising funds in a manner that is ethical, transparent, lawful, and respectful of all individuals.
This Ethical Fundraising Policy sets out the principles and standards that govern the Charity’s fundraising activities, ensuring that they are conducted with integrity and in a way that maintains public trust and confidence.

The Trustees recognise their responsibility to ensure that all fundraising activities support the Charity’s charitable purposes and comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

Purpose of the Policy

1.1 The purpose of this Policy is to:

Promote ethical and responsible fundraising practices.
Protect donors, beneficiaries, and the public from undue pressure or harm.
Ensure compliance with charity law and fundraising regulation.
Safeguard the Charity’s reputation and independence.

1.2 This Policy supports Trustees, staff, and volunteers in carrying out fundraising activities consistently and responsibly.

Scope of the Policy

2.1 This Policy applies to:

All Trustees, employees, and volunteers involved in fundraising.
Third parties, contractors, and professional fundraisers acting on behalf of the Charity.

2.2 It applies to all fundraising activities, including:

Direct fundraising appeals.
Online and digital fundraising.
Events and campaigns.
Corporate fundraising and sponsorship.
Legacy fundraising.

Core Ethical Principles

3.1 The Charity’s fundraising activities are guided by the following principles:

Honesty and transparency.
Respect and fairness.
Accountability and integrity.
Protection of vulnerable individuals.
Compliance with the law and best practice.

3.2 Fundraising communications must be truthful, clear, and not misleading.

Compliance with Laws and Codes

4.1 The Charity will comply with:

Charity law and Charity Commission guidance.
Fundraising legislation.
The Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice (where applicable).
Data protection legislation.

4.2 The Charity will cooperate with regulators and oversight bodies as required.

Respect for Donors and Supporters

5.1 The Charity will:

Treat donors with dignity and respect.
Respect donors’ preferences regarding communication and anonymity.
Provide clear information about how donations will be used.

5.2 The Charity will not:

Apply undue pressure.
Exploit trust, lack of knowledge, or vulnerability.
Engage in aggressive or intrusive fundraising practices.

Protection of Vulnerable People

6.1 The Charity is committed to protecting vulnerable individuals from harm or exploitation.

6.2 Fundraisers must:

Take reasonable steps to identify vulnerability.
Cease fundraising activities where vulnerability is apparent.
Act sensitively and appropriately at all times.

Transparency and Accountability

7.1 The Charity will:

Clearly identify itself in all fundraising communications.
Explain the purpose of fundraising appeals.
Use donations only for stated charitable purposes.

7.2 The Charity will maintain accurate records of fundraising income and expenditure.

Use of Professional Fundraisers and Third Parties

8.1 Where professional fundraisers or third parties are engaged:

Written agreements will be in place.
Fundraising practices will be monitored.
Ethical standards must align with this Policy.

8.2 The Charity will not engage third parties whose practices conflict with its values.

Fundraising Costs and Value for Money

9.1 The Charity is committed to ensuring that fundraising represents good value for money.

9.2 The Charity will:

Monitor fundraising costs.
Evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising activities.
Avoid excessive or disproportionate fundraising expenses.

Complaints and Feedback

10.1 The Charity welcomes feedback and complaints regarding fundraising activities.

10.2 Complaints will:

Be handled promptly and fairly.
Be investigated in line with the Charity’s Complaints Policy.
Be used to improve fundraising practices.

Training and Awareness

11.1 The Charity will:

Provide appropriate training for those involved in fundraising.
Ensure awareness of ethical standards and legal obligations.

11.2 Trustees and senior staff will ensure a culture of ethical fundraising is maintained.

Governance and Oversight

12.1 The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for ethical fundraising.

12.2 Trustees will:

Approve fundraising strategies.
Monitor compliance with this Policy.
Review fundraising performance and risks.

Monitoring and Review

13.1 This Policy will be reviewed:

At least annually, or
Following significant changes in fundraising activity or regulation.

13.2 Any amendments must be approved by the Board of Trustees.

Conclusion

By adhering to this Ethical Fundraising Policy, [Charity name] ensures that fundraising activities are carried out responsibly, ethically, and transparently, protecting donors, beneficiaries, and the Charity’s reputation while supporting the delivery of its charitable purposes.

Signed: ………………………………………
Chair of the Board of Trustees

Date: ………………………………………

Charity Policy templates

Accessibility Policy, Anti-Bribery Policy, Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy, Anti-Harassment Policy, Board of Trustees Code of Conduct, Charitable Objectives Policy, Child Protection Policy, Code of Conduct for Employees and Volunteers, Community Development Policy, Community Engagement Policy, Complaints Handling Policy, Confidentiality Policy, Conflict of Interest Policy, Conflict Resolution Policy, Crisis Management Policy, Cultural Competence Policy, Data Protection and Privacy Policy, Digital Inclusion Policy, Emergency Preparedness Policy, Environmental and Sustainability Policy, Equality and Diversity Policy, Ethical Fundraising Policy, Exit Policy, Expenses Policy, Feedback and Evaluation Policy, Feedback Mechanism Policy, Financial Controls Policy, Foreign Receipts and Payments Policy, Fundraising Policy, Gift Acceptance and Donation Policy, Governance and Accountability Policy, Grant-Making Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Incident Reporting Policy, Information Sharing Policy, Intellectual Property Policy, Investment Policy, IT and Cybersecurity Policy, Learning and Development Policy, Media and Public Relations Policy, Membership Policy, Mentoring and Coaching Policy, Online Safety Policy, Partnership and Collaboration Policy, Peer Support Policy, Privacy Impact Assessment Policy, Procurement and Supplier Management Policy, Public Benefit Policy, Records Retention Policy, Remuneration and Compensation Policy, Reserves Policy, Risk Management Policy, Safeguarding Vulnerable Beneficiaries Policy, Service Delivery Policy, Social Media and Communications Policy, Social Responsibility Policy, Succession Planning Policy, Technology Use Policy, Transparency and Accountability Policy, Travel and Subsistence Policy, Volunteer Induction and Training Policy, Volunteer Management Policy, Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities Policy, Whistleblowing Policy

Disclaimer:

Naail & Co provides these policy templates solely as guidelines or standard templates to assist charities in developing their own policies in accordance with Charity Commission England & Wales compliance. These templates are not intended to serve as legal or professional advice, and Naail & Co cannot be held responsible or liable for any outcomes arising from their use. It is essential that each registered charity carefully tailors and customizes these policies to reflect its specific needs, structure, and legal obligations. We strongly recommend that charities seek independent legal or professional advice to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

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