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What is fundraising?

Fundraising activities are ways a charity raises money. They can include:

• organising events like marathons where people can sponsor the runners
• collecting money through volunteers, eg at train stations
• sending emails or mail asking for donations
• collecting old clothing to be recycled or sold in charity shops
• employing people to sign members of the public up to a monthly donation, eg by stopping passers-by on the streets
• working with businesses to raise donations, eg of money or use of venues

How to complain about fundraising activities

Charities regulate their own fundraising and follow several codes of conduct. So, if you think a charity’s fundraising activities are inappropriate, you should contact the charity itself first by letter or email. Reasons you might want to speak to the charity can include:

• you’re unhappy with the way a charity has approached you for direct debit donations on the high street
• you’re unhappy with the amount of emails or mail you’re receiving from a charity
• a paid professional fundraiser has earned too much money, eg in bonuses
• you think an advertising campaign is offensive, deceptive or inaccurate
• you think a charity has been too aggressive in asking for a donation

If you aren’t satisfied with the charity’s response, or they don’t reply, you may be able to complain to the industry bodies that regulate fundraising. Who you should contact will depend on what your complaint is about:

• if you have a complaint about bad fundraising practice by a charity, you should contact the Fundraising Standards Board
• if you think a charity’s advertising is deceptive, offensive or inaccurate, you should contact the Advertising Standards Authority
• if you are unhappy with the way you have been approached for a direct debit donation on the high street, or you are unhappy with a charity using professional fundraisers, you should contact the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association

There is no set level for fundraising costs, either in law or in good practice. Many things can affect how much it costs to fundraise, eg the cost of finding and organising volunteers, postage, advertising, venue hire, insurance and professional advice. If you are unhappy with how much a charity has spent on fundraising, you should tell them.

• Fundraising Standards Board Opens new window

• Advertising Standards Authority Opens new window

• Public Fundraising Regulatory Association Opens new window

Reporting illegal fundraising

Unfortunately, sometimes people will try and take advantage of public generosity to charities. If you have concerns about a fundraising appeal there are some simple steps you can take.

Check if the charity is registered

Always ask if the organisation is a registered charity. Check for a registration number on the charity's marketing literature and collecting tins. You can check whether an organisation is a registered charity with the Charity Commission.

Find out about about the fundraisers

Ask if the person collecting represents the charity itself or if they are a paid fundraiser from a professional fundraising company. If they are not from the charity ask whether they are being paid to fundraise for the charity and if so how much. Also ask how much of your money will actually reach the charity and decide if you think that's reasonable. Professional fundraisers are legally required to state how much they are being paid when asking for donations for a charity.

Check the collection box

Look to see if the collecting box is sealed and if it bears the charity's name. It is illegal to collect in ordinary buckets and other open containers.

Ask for ID

Look to see if the collector has an official badge. Collectors must display identity permits. Don't be shy about asking for ID before parting with your money. Most charity collections in the street or house-to-house require a licence, usually from the local authority. Ask to see some evidence that the collection has been properly licensed.

Cheques

Only make cheques payable to the charity itself.

If you think a fundraising appeal is fraudulent or bogus you should contact the police.