2007 saw the launch of self-regulation for charitable fundraising in the UK. The principle behind its introduction is to allow fundraising organisations to demonstrate best practice, eliminate poor practice and increase public trust and confidence in the voluntary and community sector.
There are two key parts to self-regulation. Firstly, the requirement to sign up to the Codes of Fundraising Practice, which are the best practice standards that the fundraising community set through the work of the Institute of Fundraising’s Standards Committee. The second part is the donor facing and independent Fundraising Standards Board, which operates a complaint mechanism and ensures that the general public’s views and opinions are heard.
Self-regulation provides one platform from which charities can consistently demonstrate high standards, across the UK. In addition, it will enable charities to visibly demonstrate their commitment to best practice and sustain and build upon public trust and confidence in the charities that they currently enjoy.
