The Fundraising Regulator has today published a new draft version of the Code of Fundraising Practice, which it hopes is clearer and more accessible.
This is the first time that the whole code has undergone a thorough review since 2005 when several different codes were brought together.
The regulator has begun a ten-week consultation period and aims to finalise the new code by spring 2019.
Along with the draft code the regulator has published a list of deletions and a list of mergers to indicate what is being changed.
The code now includes a table of contents. It is spilt into two parts, with first being the aspects of the code that apply to almost all fundraising and second covering rules for specific areas of fundraising.
The current iteration of the code repeats general points that apply to different types of fundraising, whereas the new version just makes these points once in part one.
The new code has fully incorporated the fundraising rulebooks, which were created by the old PFRA.
Where possible, the new code has also taken a “plain English” approach to the language it uses and has published a glossary of key terms.
Suzanne McCarthy, chair of the Fundraising Regulator’s standards committee, said: “It is vital that all fundraisers can use and understand the code confidently and with ease to ensure their organisation’s compliance. We are confident that this consultation will result in an improved experience for both fundraisers and the general public alike.”
Deletions
There are 130 items on the deletions log. These cover instances where the rule is already covered earlier in the code.
In other cases the Fundraising Regulator has chosen to link to other regulators, such as the Gambling Commission for lottery fundraising, which regulates this aspect of fundraising.
Some deletions are to remove “guidance/commentary which is not required within the code”.
Respond to the consultation
The regulator said it had decided to carry out a fundamental rewrite of the code in response to issues raised during earlier consultations with the sector.
It will hold consultation meetings around the UK and has produced a webinar in partnership with the Institute of Fundraising.
People can respond to a survey online here.
The deadline to respond is Friday 16 November and the regulator plans to publish a summary of responses early in early 2019.
There will be a separate consultation on proposed changes to the fundraising levy after it has consulted on the code.
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