The Institute of Fundraising has today changed its Code of Fundraising Practice guidance to introduce a new standard for those fundraising with people in vulnerable circumstances.

The changes follow recommendations from a Working Group set up earlier in the year in response to a Fundraising Standards Board adjudications.

The FRSB recommended the IoF develop additional guidance for when fundraisers are asking the elderly and vulnerable for donations following a complaint against the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals by the family of an elderly woman with schizophrenia, who has since died.

The FRSB ruled that the complaint, which said that the charity had “knowingly taken advantage” of the woman, would not be upheld but recommended that the IoF code should include a new section in working with the elderly and specific guidance on identifying vulnerable adults.

The Code of Fundraising Practice now states at section 1.2 (e) in the general principles section that: “Fundraisers ought to take all reasonable steps to treat a donor fairly, enabling them to make an informed decision about any donation. This ought to include taking into account the needs of any potential donor who may be in a vulnerable circumstance or require additional care and support to make an informed decision.”

It also now states that: “Fundraisers ought not to exploit the credulity, lack of knowledge, apparent need for care and support or vulnerable circumstance of any donor at any point in time.”

Tanya Steele, chair of the IoF Standards Committee and executive director of fundraising at Save the Children, said: “Donating and fundraising should be a positive experience for everyone. The change we’ve made to our Code of Practice recognises the need for fundraisers to treat all donors fairly and provide the additional support for individuals who may be in a vulnerable circumstance so that everyone can make an informed decision about their donation.”

Alistair McLean, chief executive of the FRSB, said: “It should not be underestimated how real the challenge is for fundraisers to identify people who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances and to act appropriately.

“The changes to the Code and accompanying guidance is a welcome step forward that will give fundraisers greater clarity about what actions are acceptable and recommended in these situations, reinforcing public trust and confidence.”

The new rule replaces previous sections in the Code of Practice that referred to vulnerability. These said that, where known, organisations “ought to communicate appropriately with vulnerable people” and, in the section for public collections, that “collectors ought not to approach individuals that may reasonably considered to be vulnerable adults”.

New guidance explaining the code has also been launched today at the IoF’s Individual Giving Conference.

The guidance, Treating donors fairly: responding to the needs of people in vulnerable circumstances and helping donors make informed decisions, includes sections on identifying people who may be in a vulnerable circumstance, when fundraisers should not take donations and steps that fundraisers can take to help donors make an informed decision.