Welcome to the Fundraising Standards Board in Scotland & Northern Ireland
A world first, we handle public complaints about how our members’ raise money as well as offering the public a ‘mark of reassurance’ to look for when giving to charities in the future.
More than 700 charities, including over 100 Scottish members, have already joined the scheme, membership of which is voluntary, and in doing so have agreed to adhere to a strict set of codes and a Fundraising Promise committing them to treat the public with respect, fairness, honesty and clarity in all their money raising activities. They must also sign up to an independent, robust and transparent complaints process. Membership will be visible to the public through the addition of our logo (a tick) on their fundraising materials.
Kate Higgins, Manager of the Fundraising Standards Board in Scotland, said: “This is a first. Our charities do a fabulous job and help many causes, but the public rightly want to know that they are being open and fair when raising money. People will now be able to look for our big tick logo when deciding who they want to give money to. And where they see it, they will know they can trust the fundraising process in that charity. At the same time, if anyone has a complaint about what a charity is doing to raise money then there is now an independent body to listen and to act on their concerns. Our ultimate aim is to encourage more people in Scotland to give more money, more regularly to more good causes. We are hoping that the scheme will give people confidence to do just that.”
We represent an important commitment by charities to ensure that the public can continue to give with confidence to a sector that last year raised £8.9 billion for its good work.
Rhona Brankin, Minister for Communities commented: “The launch of the Fundraising Standards Board in Scotland is most welcome. The Executive has long supported this initiative, providing funding to help get it started in order to ensure the public has greater confidence in knowing their donations are being collected fairly. This is another important step in the implementation of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, one which further establishes a robust and proportionate regulatory regime for charities, and provides greater transparency and reassurance to the public.”
You can contact us to join the scheme or make a complaint about a member by calling 0845 688 9894.