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Codes Directory
Before starting your fundraising you should read the relevant Codes of Fundraising Practice. In many cases more than one Code will be relevant to your activity so you should think about the activity in its entirety to establish which Codes are applicable.
The Codes distinguish between legal and best practice guidance and also the different legal provisions in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There are many provisions in legislation that have not yet been enacted, and the Codes will be updated when they are. Where there is no legal guidance enacted yet in the above countries, it is considered best practice to follow the guidance already laid down in the Codes.
The Codes are regularly reviewed in terms of their legal and best practice content. If you have any feedback on any of the Codes, we would be happy to receive it. Please let us know by downloading the Codes Feedback Form and emailing it to codes@institute-of-fundraising.org.uk.
Click on the Codes below to read the full documents
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Acceptance and Refusal of Donations Guidance on making clear and consistent decisions regarding the acceptance or refusal of donations |
Making sure approaches and reporting meet best practice standards |
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Accountability and Transparency Making sure you are open and honest in your fundraising communications |
Handling of Cash and Other Financial Donations Considerations and controls to ensure the security of donation processes and fundraisers |
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Best Practice for Fundraising Consultants Guidance for consultants and fundraising organisations working together |
Standards for door-to-door collections of cash and goods The Institute also has guidance on the different types of goods collections that charities can use to inform donors. Read the Clothing Collections Guidance. |
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Best Practice for Fundraising Contracts Best practice standards and a model fundraising agreement |
Acting in the best interests of the charity and the legator |
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Best Practice for Major Donor Fundraising Information on attracting and building relationships with Major Donors |
Management of Static Collection Points Ensuring the security of collection proceeds and good relations with site holders |
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Charities Working with Business Ethical questions and standards for working with companies |
Outdoor UK Challenge Events, including the Three Peaks Standards for all fundraising challenge events taking place in the UK |
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Standards for challenges taking place abroad |
Principles to adhere to when paying fundraisers |
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Committed Giving in the Workplace Information for obtaining on-going support via employees' pay |
A breakdown of the different options and regulations for raffles, competitions and free prize draws |
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Key information on EU and UK data protection legislation |
Ensuring shared lists are used fairly and to their maximum benefit |
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Standards for fundraising asks delivered through the letterbox |
Scottish Charity Law in Relation to Public Charitable Collections Obligations and best practice under Scottish law |
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Information for non-challenge events such as balls and fetes |
Recruiting fundraisers through outbound telephone calls |
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Recruiting long-term supporters, whether financially through direct debits or otherwise |
Telephone Recruitment of Collectors Best practice for finding volunteer fundraisers via the telephone |
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Engaging children and teachers in fundraising |
Use of Chain Letters as a Fundraising Technique Further guidance as to why chain letters are discouraged in fundraising |
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Fundraising through Electronic Media Making good use of available technologies at the highest standards This Code is currently being revised. Find out more about the Code's development. |
Emphasising the importance of good volunteer management Also see our Guidance for 'In Aid Of' Volunteers |
Cross-Border Fundraising
In addition to the Codes, the Institute has produced best practice guidance for fundraising organisations which fundraising across the nations in the UK.
Some of the fundamentals included in the guidance are:
- Donors need to know where their donations will be spent;
- Fundraising organisations need to be sensitive to donor expectations of where their money will be spent;
- Fundraising organisations receiving donations from a donor residing outside their area of operation needs to make the donor aware of services offered by any sister organisations offering equivalent services in their area;
- All parties should be involved in joint working from the earliest stages and throughout the process;
- The Institute’s Code of Fundraising Practice on accountability and transparency ought to be followed;
- Any agreements or protocols between sister organisations need to be endorsed by all high level stakeholders, particularly CEOs and trustees;
- Information and publicity materials needs to make clear the agreement between cross-border charities.
Read the full Cross-Border Fundraising guidance.
International Statement of Ethical Principles
The Institute of Fundraising also endorses the International Statement of Ethical Principles in Fundraising. This is a set of values and standards for the global fundraising community unanimously approved by 24 countries in October 2006.
Read the International Statement of Ethical Principles in Fundraising.
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