This Code of Fundraising Practice establishes a series of criteria to be observed by all charities and other voluntary organisations, public bodies and members of the Institute of Fundraising engaging in fundraising from trusts and foundations.
The Code is not intended to cover fundraising from Statutory Bodies, for example, applications for European Union funding or UK Government or Local Authority grants, although some of the guidance within the Code may still be relevant to these applications.
The purpose is to ensure that trust fundraising is undertaken in a professional manner and that there is consistency of standards. The Code sets out to be a carefully thought-through code of best practice, enabling charities to avoid duplicating effort and to operate more effectively.
It is not an instruction manual in trust fundraising or a substitute for training and real practical experience. Grant making trusts are established because some person, or persons, is/are serious about giving.
Such trusts only achieve their purposes when they are distributing money. This Code, therefore, is not designed to protect them from people making applications, though it is anticipated that their task will be made easier when applicants follow the guidance in it.
Although this Code is primarily written for fundraisers, it is hoped that grant making trusts may also find it helpful in guiding applicants.
