In the UK, charity fundraising is self-regulated (the charity sector itself sets the standards) and is not formally overseen by any statutory body, although OSCR and the Charity Commission both have a high-level role and do regulate certain aspects of public fundraising for their respective charities.
Scottish charities
Although this is still the case, the Scottish Fundraising Standards Panel (since January 2022 the “Scottish Fundraising Adjudication Panel”) (the Panel) was set up to oversee enhanced self-regulation of fundraising in Scotland and complaints related to charities registered with OSCR. This means that complaints made against Scottish charities will be dealt with by the Panel.
English and Welsh charities
For charities registered with the Charity Commission, the Fundraising Regulator is the independent regulator of charitable fundraising. Its role requires it to:
- set and promote standards for fundraising practice;
- investigate cases where fundraising practices have led to significant public concern;
- adjudicate complaints from the public where these cannot be resolved by the charities themselves;
- operate a fundraising preference service to enable individuals to manage their contact with charities; and
- recommend best practice guidance and take proportionate action where poor fundraising guidance is judged to have taken place.
Charities registered with OSCR and the Charity Commission
Where charities are registered in Scotland and England, then where OSCR is the lead regulator the complaint will be dealt with by the Panel but where the Charity Commission is the lead regulator, it will be dealt with by the Fundraising Regulator.
Fundraising standards - apply across the UK
The Code of Fundraising Practice outlines the standards expected of all charitable fundraising organisations across the UK, and can be found on the Fundraising Regulators website. It is important that all fundraising charities are familiar with and apply the principles of the Code as these are the standards that the charity will be measured against should a complaint arise.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about charity fundraising regulations, please contact mail@ct.me.
