The Fundraising Regulator has published its updated code of practice, which adopts a principles-based format “better suited to modern fundraising”.

The new Code of Fundraising Practice will come into full effect on 1 November, with a six-month transition period to give charities and fundraisers time to familiarise themselves with it and update their internal procedures.

The new code, which is 45 per cent shorter than the current one, is based on consultations with more than 200 organisations carried out over three years.

It adopts a principles-based format, reducing the need for separate rules for each fundraising method.

The regulator said this new format was better suited to modern fundraising, would support innovation in the sector and would allow fundraisers to apply the principles across a broad range of scenarios.

The principles-based format ensures that the code can be effectively applied to emerging technologies and novel fundraising techniques, the regulator said.

Paul Winyard, head of policy at the Fundraising Regulator, said: “The Code of Fundraising Practice is the bedrock of charitable fundraising. This is why over the past three years we have engaged extensively with the charity sector and others to ensure a range of voices could be heard in its first major review since 2019.

“We have assessed over 6,000 comments through an extensive three-stage consultation process. The result is a code that is clearer, more flexible and better suited to modern fundraising.”

The new code includes a new rule requiring charities to “take reasonable steps to protect fundraisers from harm and harassment while fundraising”.

The wording of this rule was amended since the last code consultation, with the final version saying that this includes: having processes for fundraisers to report any issues that arise; and taking reasonable steps to to deal with any issues that are reported.

The final code includes changes to a new rule about unstaffed collections, after respondents told the regulator the wording in the consultation draft was unclear. 

The code says donors must be able to see clear, accurate and up-to-date information about unstaffed collections, which includes the name of the charity receiving the donation, its registration number and contact details.

If organised by a third party collector, the information must also include details of how any fundraising partners will be paid; and the name and details of the collector, if different from the charity.

The final version of the code also includes an additional requirement urging online fundraising platforms to respond appropriately to reasonable requests from charitable institutions, after consultation respondents flagged that they had often had difficulty getting platforms to engage with their requests.

The code also calls for charities and their fundraising partners to “respond constructively and within an appropriate time to any enquiries you receive from us or the Scottish Fundraising Adjudication Panel relating to keeping to the code”, a rule missing from existing code.

Before the new code comes into force fully in November, any complaints or investigations opened by the regulator will be assessed in reference to the current code.

During the six-month transition period, charity trustees will be responsible for reviewing the new code, which has been launched alongside a suite of resources to assist trustees and fundraising leads with their understanding of the code.

These resources include the Code Advice Service, a package of written support guides, a table of changes signposting specific revisions and a series of webinars that will be held throughout the remainder of the year.

Gerald Oppenheim, chief executive of the Fundraising Regulator, said: “The new code is designed to remain relevant and responsive to future changes while maintaining rigorous standards to help fundraising organisations raise much-needed funds.

“It is clearer, shorter, and easier to understand – without sacrificing the specificity and clarity of the current code.

“We are confident that the new code will help charities to maintain the excellent standards necessary for the public to maintain confidence and trust in fundraising – helping charitable fundraising to thrive.”