The Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF) is calling for clarity on how the Fundraising Regulator can address harassment of fundraisers.

The call has come in its consultation response to the regulator’s plans to revamp the Fundraising Code.

The regulator is considering changes to the code so that fundraisers are better protected from inappropriate behaviour by donors and potential donors.

This includes relaxing rules requiring fundraisers to always be polite. This expectation could be a problem for fundraisers facing abuse or intimidation during their work” said the regulator in September when it announced its consultation around the changes.

We have submitted our final response to the Fundraising Regulator's Consultation, you can find our more information on the Code of Fundraising Practice consultation and our final response here: https://t.co/DUapEGALvU

— Chartered Institute of Fundraising (@CIOFtweets) December 12, 2023

But the CIoF in its response says “as it stands” the code is set up to “ensure fundraisers operate in the right way to protect the public, so we are unclear” how it “could address this area in a meaningful way, or how it could be monitored and adjudicated on”.

In a blog post published around the CIoF’s response, Charlotte Weatherley, policy and partnership manager for its Growing Giving project, said: “The question on how to limit donor dominance and protect fundraisers from harassment has been a challenge for the sector for a number of years.

“The Regulator is now exploring how the Code could tackle this through standards that protect fundraisers from inappropriate behaviour from donors.

“We strongly believe that safeguarding fundraisers and stopping all forms of harassment in the sector should be a priority for every charity and stakeholder.

"To try and scope this out further, we are keen for the Regulator to engage with us to discuss what could be done to address this important issue.”

The fundraising regulator is also considering adding a requirement to the code that fundraisers comply with “reasonable requests” from the regulator in relation to complaints.

The CIoF is also calling for more clarity around how this can be forced.

Emerging technology

In its consultation the Fundraising Regulator asked for responses on how artificial intelligence (AI) may impact fundraising and how the regulator can ensure its use is legal and transparent.

The CIoF says that some of its members see AI as an “opportunity for charities to make fundraising more efficient, improve donor engagement and make fundraising safer for donors and staff alike”.

This could be through better identification of donors, refining of messaging and automating fundraising processes, such as moderating comments on social media.

However, CIoF says in its response that “some members are aware that AI can be misused”.

“As this area of technology progresses and the government refines its regulatory approach, we welcome facilitating more discussions between the Fundraising Regulator and our members to ensure charities are able to use this technology to enhance fundraising and donor experience whilst mitigating any risks or ethical concerns from the public,” the CIoF’s response adds.

Weatherley said: “We know that some members are using AI in their fundraising and look forward to facilitating more discussions on how this could be used and how future regulation in this area can enable innovation.”

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