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Written Evidence Submitted by the Fundraising Regulator

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Written Evidence Submitted by the Fundraising Regulator Written evidence submitted by the Fundraising Regulator Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Inquiry into the impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors 19 June 2020 Introduction 1. The Fundraising Regulator is the independent regulator of charitable fundraising in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work to ensure the standards in fundraising are maintained in order to protect the general public and donors, and support the vital work of fundraisers. 2. We do this by setting and promoting the standards for fundraising (in the Code of Fundraising Practice); publishing guidance for the public and fundraisers (find out more about our latest Covid-19 guidance in 7.III); handling complaints from the public about fundraising; investigating fundraising that has caused significant public concern; enabling people to manage their contact with charities using the Fundraising Preference Service; and publishing a Fundraising Directory of organisations who have registered with us, to publicly demonstrate their commitment to the fundraising standards. 3. The Code of Fundraising Practice applies across the whole of the UK and the Fundraising Regulator has working relationships in place with the Scottish Fundraising Standards Panel. 4. This document constitutes the Fundraising Regulator’s response to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s inquiry on the impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors. 5. This submission only comments on the inquiry from the perspective of charitable fundraising and the organisation’s perspective as a regulator. Inquiry response 6. What has been the immediate impact of Covid-19 on the sector? I. We have heard from the charitable fundraising sector that the impact of Covid-19 has been significant, particularly so in relation to charities’ ability to generate income through fundraising. II. As the Committee will be aware, a large proportion of fundraisers’ work focuses on their ability to interact with the public, for example at fundraising events, during street or private site collections, or when door-to-door fundraising. As a result of social distancing measures, these activities have been rightly paused. III. The Fundraising Regulator has committed to ensuring its regulatory activity is proportionate and considerate of the continued pressures facing charities, while ensuring the public is safeguarded. IV. To support charities and the public alike, we have published a range of guidance and advice. This includes: a) A joint statement from the Fundraising Regulator and Chartered Institute of Fundraising on 18 March 2020 advising charities to reflect on whether to continue public fundraising due to the increased health risk to the population at large, as well as fundraisers and volunteers. b) On 19 March, in partnership with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, Action Fraud and Trading Standards, the Fundraising Regulator published guidance for the public on giving safely to charity during the Covid-19 pandemic. This included encouraging people to give to registered charities to ensure that donations reach their intended cause. c) As the public continued to show their charitable generosity during the crisis, the Fundraising Regulator published guidance for the public on how to set up an online fundraising appeal that is legal and ethical. 7. What will the likely long-term impacts of Covid-19 be on the sector, and what support is needed to deal with those? I. The long-term impact on fundraising is currently unknown, but we recognise that there will be a recalibration in practical terms about how charities fundraise. Fundraising organisations will need to adapt to new ways of working and that may mean that more organisations look to carry out more digital methods of fundraising and adapt the way they carry out public fundraising to ensure it is in-line with the latest Government advice. During the Covid-19 lockdown period, many larger charities have taken paid advertising time on television and returned more widely to telephone fundraising (where they can be reasonably sure they have consent to contact supporters this way) to launch their appeals. II. We are here to work with fundraisers as they return to fundraising which is why, as lockdown is eased, we will be publishing a series of guidance that provides charities with a framework to help them make robust decisions about their return to fundraising. This guidance is in line with Government and Public Health England’s advice. III. We have recently published the first instalment of this new guidance, in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, to provide a framework for fundraising organisations as they return to public fundraising methods, such as door-to-door and street fundraising. The guidance makes it clear that the health and wellbeing of both the public and fundraisers is paramount and that thorough risk assessments must be carried out before fundraising can resume. IV. We will continue to deliver proportionate regulation and our board is considering how best we can support fundraisers over the coming year, in terms of our strategy and budgets. 8. What lessons can be learnt from how DCMS, arms-length bodies and the sector have dealt with Covid-19? I. Throughout the crisis, the Fundraising Regulator has worked closely with other regulatory bodies and organisations, such as the Charity Commission for England and Wales, National Trading Standards, Action Fraud and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising to develop a consistent, proportionate response. This has provided clarity for charities and reassurance for the public that their donation will reach the right place if they donate to registered charities. We have also ensured that DCMS has been informed of the work we are doing and have taken part with charities in video conference discussions with the department. II. Additionally, we have produced information for the public to equip them with the knowledge they need to give safely during the pandemic. We will continue to support the public with further information on what they can expect when interacting with fundraisers. 9. How might the sector evolve after Covid-19, and how can DCMS support such information to deal with future challenges? I. Looking forward, our emphasis is on fundraising behaviour. All fundraising in the UK must continue to be legal, respectful, open and honest. To date, the sector has worked hard to rebuild public trust since the fundraising issues which arose in 2015, and it is important that, despite the challenges the pandemic has brought to the sector, we continue to maintain this trust with the public. This will in turn help build more fundraising opportunities. II. We aim to drive public confidence in charities after Covid-19, so they continue to give to good causes during the crisis and beyond. People may be feeling unusually anxious about interacting with others and some may be more inclined to raise complaints and concerns about a charity’s fundraising at this time. The public will also want assurance that they are giving to charities in ways that are safe. III. The future is uncertain, but we are encouraging charities to maintain open lines of communication with donors and the public. We will continue to work with DCMS, the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and others to ensure that fundraising continues in-line with our guidance and the standards set out in the Code of Fundraising Practice..
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