The Fundraising Regulator and Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF) have published two new pieces of guidance on events and community fundraising activities and cash collections.
Each piece of guidance “sets out a framework to aid good decision making” which should be applied to any charitable community and events fundraising activity.
The guidance highlights relevant government regulations and identifies additional considerations that fundraising organisations should think about as they plan community fundraising activities, including social distancing requirements, conducting risk assessments, and capacity limits.
The guidance includes making contingency plans for people who contract the virus.
It states that there is always the risk that members of staff or volunteers could contract Covid-19, so “think about contingency plans for this possibility, such as whether other staff can safely cover the community fundraising activity or event, how work could be handed over effectively and whether the activity needs to be postponed or cancelled”.
After handling and counting cash donations, charities will need to ensure good hygiene practices are followed.
Check guidelines in the area where their fundraising is being carried out
Charlotte Urwin, head of policy at the Fundraising Regulator, said: “Our latest guidance on events and community fundraising, and cash collections, is an important addition to the existing suite of guidance we have published to support the safe and responsible return of public-facing fundraising activities.
“This guidance provides a framework that will help fundraisers make decisions about how to return to those activities as restrictions ease across the UK.
“Before applying the guidance, fundraisers must check the relevant guidelines in the area where their fundraising is being carried out to account for specific guidance from the devolved nations.”
In England some outdoor community and fundraising events are now able to return, with some indoor charity fundraising events able to return no earlier than 17 May.
The guidance should be used to help organisations plan their return to community and events fundraising as they are able to resume according to the stages of easing restrictions that are set out by each UK nation.
Daniel Fluskey, head of policy and external affairs at the CIoF, said: “This guidance will help charities and fundraisers navigate the return to physical community and events fundraising activities in a safe and carefully considered way. We have provided key considerations and provided links to relevant guidance to help charities as they put together their plans for weeks and months ahead. We know that some charities and supporters are really keen to return to in-person events and hope that this provides reassurance for organisations as they put in place future plans.”
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