Fundraising assistance and information

Fundraising guidelines updated

The UK Workforce Hub and The Institute of Fundraising have collaborated to revise and improve the fundraising National Occupational Standards (NOS). The standards are for fundraisers, those who fundraise as part of their work and those that manage fundraising, whether it is in a voluntary or paid capacity.

Fundraisers will be able to apply the standards that are specific to their role, as the new NOS include units on grant fundraising, corporate fundraising, major gifts and direct marketing. Voluntary and community organisations across the UK will be able to embed these NOS into recruitment, selection, training and development practise in order to improve the skills of fundraisers.

To view the standards which were approved on the 14th April 2008 please visit the UK Workforce Hub website.

Tax effective giving

The Giving Wales initiative aims to increase awareness of the different ways of maximising the value of charitable gifts; for the benefit of individuals and charitable organisations.

Read an overview of tax effective giving - 7.10 Tax effective giving

Download Making giving go further. A definitive guide to tax effective giving.

Data protection

Any organisation, which is likely to hold information on donors or beneficiaries, needs to ensure they adhere to the Data Protection Act 1998. In summary, charities should consider the following:

  • Do not retain any information on a supporter of beneficiary that your organisation would not be comfortable sharing with that person.
  • Do not use information in a manner that a donor would not wish.
  • Do not share data in a manner that a donor would not wish.

Useful resources:

The Directory of Social Change

  • Provides a full range of information and a free mailing list to keep pace of their new publications and training. www.dsc.org.uk Tel: 08450 77 77 07.

Codes of fundraising practice

Due to the dynamic nature of fundraising, there are many laws that can apply in varying circumstances. The Institute of Fundraising produces the Codes of Fundraising Practice to help charities to adhere to the highest standards.

Regulation of cash collections

The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association covers public charitable collections conducted both house-to-house, in the street and extends to direct debit solicitation. Public Fundraising Regulatory Association Web www.PFRA.org.uk Tel: 020 7401 8452

Charity Commission for England and Wales

The Charity Commission for England and Wales have the powers to investigate fundraising activities and can provide advice regarding legal issues. Web: www.charity-commission.gov.uk.

The Fundraising standards board

The Fundraising standards board is a scheme for the self-regulation of fundraising. The scheme allows charities to join, formally sign up to the Institute of Fundraising’s Codes of Practice and create a complaints system for donors. Further information is available at www.fsboard.org.uk.

The Charities Information Bureau

Provides up-to-date and relevant information for voluntary and community organisations across Britain. It's services include: the Oddments funding information mailing ( hard-copy newsletter); a fuller eBriefing sent ten times a year; tailored training and consultancy; 'Funding Points' where groups can access funding information; and a funding enquiry service whereby the Bureau runs searches of the database on behalf of groups and suggests other relevant sources of funding. Rates vary and can be found by visiting The Charities Information Bureau or tel: 01924 239063.

Councils for Voluntary Service (CVCs)

The roles of the county voluntary councils are to provide advice and information to local voluntary organisations. They support voluntary action by supporting volunteering, advise on good practice, provide information on funding sources along with a myriad of other issues.

Download the full list of CVCs in Wales.

WCVA Helpdesk

Information, support and sign posting for the third sector.
Tel: 0800 2888 329
E-mail: help@wcva.org.uk
www.wcva.org.uk