Face-to-Face Activity

Direct marketing FundraisingFace-to-Face activity incorporates traditional face-to-face fundraising (soliciting direct debit donations) and what is commonly termed 'prospecting'. Prospecting is where members of the public are asked to sign-up to a cause which may or may not be followed by a fundraising ask at a later date.

Face-to-face activity can occur on the street, from house-to-house or on public and private property such as shopping malls and railway stations.

Before embarking on a face-to-face campaign in a public place, it is important to check the access management requirements with the relevant authority.

Different governing bodies have statutory and non-statutory requirements throughout the UK. In most cases the local authority and/or the police will be the relevant statutory authority.

The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) promotes best practice in face-to-face activity and can also advise on who has responsibility for site access.

Codes of Fundraising Practice

The Face-to-Face Activity Code of Fundraising Practice highlights regulatory requirements and best practice standards for all those engaged in face-to-face campaigns.

The Codes highlight the law and best practice for a range of fundraising techniques. All of the Codes are available online. The House-to-House Collections Code may also be particularly relevant.

Solicitation Statements

Fundraisers need to make sure they make appropriate statements about renumeration and/or their position in the charity. These are called solicitation statements. Further information is available in the regulation section of our website.

Regulatory Changes

The Charities Act 2006 (in England and Wales) and the Charity and Trustees Investment Act (Scotland) 2005 contain provisions for new regulations which will affect face-to-face fundraising. These have not yet been implemented. A summary of the proposed changes in England and Wales is available in section H6 of the Cabinet Office and Charity Commission publication: Charities Act 2006 What Trustees Need to Know.