Telephone Fundraising

There has been much debate in the sector about telephone fundraising of late, particularly in relation to the Telephone Preference Service (TPS).

The TPS is the central opt-out register for individuals who do not wish to receive unsolicited sales or marketing calls. It is a legal obligation to abide by the wishes of those on the TPS register which applies to fundraising calls as well as those for commercial sales.

In 2009, the Institute and Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB) organised a Telephone Summit to discuss issues surrounding telephone fundraising and concerns over the lack of clarity surrounding the TPS and warm donors. This was followed up by a Telephone Symposium in February 2010 where a number of issues were clarified by the Information Commissioner's Office.

Further details about the information given at the Telephone Symposium are available in the notes from the meeting.

Read the notes from the meeting.

An opt-out register also exists for corporates in the form of the Corporate Telephone Preference Service. Charities can also register with the Telephone Preference Service to stop other companies making unsolicited marketing calls to your organisation.

Find out more about the Corporate Telephone Preference Service.

Codes of Fundraising Practice

The Telephone Fundraising Code of Fundraising Practice, which presents criteria by which voluntary organisations should engage in outbound telephone fundraising, has been revised to take into account information shared at the Telephone Symposium. This provides clearer information about calling supporters who are listed on the TPS.

Read the Telephone Fundraising Code of Fundraising Practice.

The Telephone Fundraising Code focuses on outbound monetary requests. For calls that seek to recruit volunteers, a Telephone Recruitment of Collectors Code is also available.

Read the Telephone Recruitment of Collectors Code of Fundraising Practice.

The Codes set out the law and best practice for a range of fundraising techniques so it is important to check all relevant Codes before starting your fundraising.

Find our more about the Codes of Fundraising Practice.

Further Information

Data protection issues are of utmost importance when calling potential donors. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) can provide information on data protection issues.

Find out more about the Information Commissioner's Office.

Of particular note is the ICO guidance note for calling people listed on the TPS.

Read the ICO good practice note for calling people listed on the TPS.