Fundraising Regulator reminds churches that collections are subject to code of practice

The Fundraising Regulator (FR) has issued a reminder that collections in churches, including offerings and tithes are classed as charitable giving, making them subject to the Code of Fundraising Practice (CFP).

The FR is typically inaccurately described as a “quango”, when in actual fact it’s a non-statutory, self-regulatory body. It receives no funding from the federal government, as a substitute counting on voluntary levies and registration fees paid by charities and fundraisers.

The CFP is meant to make sure openness, honesty and respect in fundraising in addition to ensuring that each one fundraising activity complies with the law.

A recent report by the FR found that a big variety of faith-based charities were unaware that fundraising carried out during worship events is taken into account charitable fundraising. As a result, some organisations haven’t been managing such activities in accordance with the CFP.  

In a recent blog on the problem, the FR said that in a single recent case a faith-based charity breached the CFP when it launched a one-off appeal to fundraise for a recent church. The charity didn’t have a correct fundraising complaints process in place and in addition didn’t explain what would occur if its fundraising goal was not met.

The fundraising campaign continued even after the try to buy the church failed, nevertheless eventually the funds raised were used to purchase a unique constructing.

Commenting on the case, the FR said, “There weren’t any significant issues found with the fundraising campaign. The nature of a fundraising campaign to purchase a constructing means that is prone to take a while, and there could also be some unsuccessful attempts … There was no information to suggest donors had asked for his or her donations back and been refused, and the funds were restricted. We subsequently didn’t discover a breach in regards to the conditions attached to the donations.”

However, the charity’s failure to reply to a complainant who was a former church member, did mean a technical breach of the CFP.

Nikki Renken, the Fundraising Regulator’s Head of Casework, said of its latest blog advising the faith-based community, “The Fundraising Regulator can assist faith-based organisations understand when fundraising activity falls inside the scope of the code and to be certain that the fitting safeguards are in place in order that fundraising is carried out openly, respectfully and with appropriate support for many who could also be in vulnerable circumstances.

“The Fundraising Regulator works to support organisations to fundraise in a way that reflects their values, builds trust and provides trustees confidence that they’re meeting their responsibilities.”