Volunteer fundraising is the most prevalent form of fundraising in the UK. The 1997 National Survey of Volunteering estimated that two thirds of the 22 million people who volunteer every year do so as fundraisers.
As such, volunteer led fundraising activity is the most frequent way in which the majority of the public engage with and encounter fundraising practice, for example, through attending events, coffee mornings or meeting house to house collectors.
Good practice in volunteer management is therefore especially important in fundraising.
Through having a good volunteer fundraising experience, people gain an insight into fundraising, build support for charities from both themselves and others, and engage in the kinds of activity that are the essence of the voluntary and community sector.
Among volunteer fundraisers is a range of high profile individuals. This Code of Practice therefore applies to organisations with patrons, trustees or celebrities who are involved in fundraising as volunteers.
Whilst the Code refers throughout to the must, ought and should requirements placed on organisations that are Institute of Fundraising members, it should be noted that these are also expected to be met by individual members of the Institute of Fundraising.
