Frequently Asked Questions by Members in Scotland and Northern Ireland
About the Fundraising Standards Board
What is the Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB)?
We are the new body running the self-regulation of fundraising scheme in the UK. The Fundraising Standards Board self-regulatory scheme was set up after wide consultation with key individuals from a range of charitable bodies and Government. We exist to deal with public complaints about fundraising activity and to help the public give with confidence to charities. Charities and organisations that display the scheme's logo are demonstrating that they have signed up to the highest fundraising standards.
Who are we?
We are led by a board, balanced between public and sector interests, comprising the Chair, representatives from the major voluntary sector bodies in the UK, a representative from the consumer body Which? and five lay board members. The Scottish and Northern Irish voluntary sectors are represented through a shared board position.
How does the Fundraising Standards Board work in Scotland & Northern Ireland?
We have a dedicated office for Scotland and Northern Ireland that handles membership enquiries from organisations that work and fundraise exclusively in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It also processes complaints about Scottish & Northern Irish members of the scheme. The office provides a contact point for Scottish & Northern Irish members, the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Parliament and OSCR as well as the Northern Ireland Office and the still to be established Northern Irish regulator.
How did the plan for self-regulation develop?
- A Steering Group was created which, having achieved ‘buy-in’ from all major trade bodies and the Charity Commission, comprised representatives from each of these organisations
- The Steering Group, led by Simon Hebditch of CAF (Charities Aid Foundation), submitted a proposal to Government
- The Institute of Fundraising commissioned a business plan, which was submitted and approved
- The Cabinet Office and Scottish Executive have provided substantial funding to ensure implementation of the scheme
- The Chair and Chief Executive of the Fundraising Standards Board were appointed in February 2006
- Launched to the public in February 2007
How are we funded?
The Cabinet Office and Scottish Executive were asked to provide seed-corn funding and proportionately fund the first five years of the scheme, after which the scheme will become self-financing.
How will we work with other regulatory bodies?
A Memorandum of Understanding has been established to cover potential areas of overlap and eliminate any areas of duplication.
The Memorandum of Understanding with OSCR is available in pdf format
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Joining the Fundraising Standards Board
Who should join the Fundraising Standards Board scheme?
Any organisation or individual that engages in fundraising from the general public can and should sign up to the Fundraising Standards Board self-regulatory scheme. This includes registered charities, voluntary sector or not-for-profit organisations, trusts, businesses and consultants.
Organisations should join if they receive financial donations, gifts in kind, or services and/or facilities:
- From members of the public, founders, members, patrons, supporters or businesses
- Through collections, appeals, legacies, events, payroll giving, sponsorship, online giving or through the fundraising efforts of others
Organisations should also join if they:
- Have members who pay a subscription to join or to retain their membership
Businesses or consultancies who are contracted to conduct fundraising with the general public are also urged to join the scheme.
Why should organisations join?
By becoming Fundraising Standards Board scheme members, you will be demonstrating that you are committed to the highest fundraising standards. You will also be sending a powerful message to your existing and potential supporters. Findings from consumer research carried out by YouGov plc and consumer watchdog Which? showed that:
- Almost six in ten (58%) consumers said they would be more likely to donate to a charity if they knew it was a member of the Fundraising Standards Board scheme
- After hearing about the Fundraising Standards Board's new Fundraising Promise, confidence levels in member charities rose among donors to 82%
So, not only could Fundraising Standards Board scheme membership have a positive influence on fundraising standards and help increase public confidence, it could also boost your credentials and increase your fundraising appeal. Indeed, use of the Fundraising Standards Board scheme logo will be a highly practical and visible way of enhancing your reputation and demonstrating good organisational governance. Membership will also encourage valuable feedback from the giving public, which will help improve the Codes of Fundraising Practice and raise standards even futher.
- Having a complaints process in place means you can deal with any problems efficiently and effectively
- The scheme is designed to provide light touch regulation and easy to comply with rules so that it is easy to integrate into your working practices
- The Fundraising Standards Board scheme is self-regulatory - if charities, organisations and suppliers do not join, the sector will become subject to statutory regulation which may involve a more intensive and prescriptive regulation process
How much does it cost to join?
The scheme membership fee structure is on a sliding scale based on your level of charity or voluntary organisation voluntary income or supplier fundraising turnover.
How can charities & suppliers prepare for the Fundraising Standards Board scheme?
Familiarise yourself with the standards – the Institute of Fundraising’s Codes of Fundraising Practice & the Fundraising Promise.
Ensure you have a robust internal complaints procedure as set out in the schemes terms and conditions of membership.
Nominate a complaints co-ordinator.
Start briefing your design teams that they will need to start using the Fundraising Standards Board scheme logo on your fundraising materials wherever practical.
Using the Fundraising Standards Board scheme logo
Q. Does the logo need to be used on all materials?
A. We appreciate that it may not always be possible to use the logo due to the format of materials. However, we do ask that it is used as a matter of policy wherever practical.
Q. We have supplies of materials in stock, do we need to reprint?
A. We do not expect you to re-print materials just because you have joined the Fundraising Standards Board scheme. We simply expect you to include the scheme logo in any new printing and on your website as soon as you can.
Q. Is there any alternative to using the Fundraising Standards Board scheme logo?
A. No. If space is absolutely an issue (the minimum width usage is 10mm), we accept that the logo may not be used.
What will members have to do?
Charities that sign up to the Fundraising Standards Board scheme will be required to:
- Adhere to the Institute of Fundraising’s Codes of Fundraising Practice and the Fundraising Promise
- Use the Fundraising Standards Board scheme logo on all their fundraising communications and company literature wherever practical
- Promote the Fundraising Promise on literature and websites
- Ensure their organisation has a robust complaints procedure in place for dealing with fundraising complaints from the public
- Select a complaints co-ordinator who will act as the primary point of contact with us
You can view our full charity terms and conditions of membership in pdf format
Suppliers that sign up to the Fundraising Standards Board scheme will be required to:
- Adhere to the Institute of Fundraising’s Codes of Fundraising Practice and the Fundraising Promise
- Use the Fundraising Standards Board scheme logo on all their fundraising communications and company literature wherever practical
- Ensure their organisation has a robust complaints procedure in place for dealing with fundraising complaints from the public and/or charities
- Select a complaints co-ordinator who will act as the primary point of contact with us
- Provide a copy of their latest accounts and two references from charity clients when applying to the scheme
You can view our full supplier terms and conditions of membership in pdf format.
How can your organisation join?
You can apply for a scheme membership application pack in several ways:
Fill in the online registration form
Call 0845 688 9894
Email membershipscotland@frsb.org.uk
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The Codes of Fundraising Practice & the Fundraising Promise
What are the Codes of Fundraising Practice?
The Institute of Fundraising’s Codes of Fundraising Practice represent the standards set for fundraisers in the UK. The Codes cover all fundraising techniques, providing information about the law, guidance on using the techniques and best practice activity.
Who is responsible for the Codes of Fundraising Practice?
The Institute of Fundraising retains responsibility for the content and review of the Codes.
Will the Fundraising Standards Board keep these standards?
We are responsible for monitoring compliance with the Codes and will ensure that trends in complaints are used to inform the ongoing review and development of the Codes.
How can you view the Codes?
The full set of Codes are available in hard copy, by email or may be downloaded free of charge from the Institute of Fundraising's website at www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk.
Do you need to know all the Codes?
You will only be expected to familiarise yourself with the Codes that are relevant to your organisations fundraising activities.
What is the Fundraising Promise?
The Fundraising Standards Board Fundraising Promise in pdf format is a commitment made to the public by members of the Fundraising Standards Board scheme. It has been compiled in consulation with fundraisers and the public and is based on six key pledges that centre on honesty, accountabiity and transparency. The Fundraising Promise represents a commitment to the highest standards of good practice, and to ensuring that all fundraising activities are open, legal and fair.
Who is responsible for the Fundraising Promise?
We are responsible for reviewing and developing the content of the Fundraising Promise, as well as monitoring its impact on the public and fundraising activity.
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The complaints process
How should members handle complaints?
Members of the Fundraising Standards Board scheme will have to put in place a complaints process along with a complaints co-ordinator. This process should be available in writing and/or on the organisations website (if they have one). It should state how a complaint can be made.
Scheme members will be expected to:
- Endeavour to resolve fundraising complaints as promptly and as amicably as possible
- Keep a record of all fundraising complaints
- File an annual return to us at the Scotland & Northern Ireland office about the number and nature of any fundraising complaints. We will provide a template form for returns
The complaints process has three stages and there are a range of sanctions when a complaint is upheld.
More detail can be found in the charity complaints process or supplier complaints process sections of this website
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