Regulators join forces to remind the public of their responsibilities when fundraising

The regulators are advising members of the public to follow this latest guidance so that people can fundraise in a way that protects themselves and the charity they are raising money for.

Each year, almost a third of sector income is raised from donations and legacies, including fundraising by the public.

The guide sets out practical steps for anyone thinking about setting up a fundraising appeal, including in response to an emergency. It is important that people follow the guidance because, when someone decides to raise money for charity they, not the charity, are responsible for ensuring the money goes where intended.

The steps include advising people to fundraise for a named charity from the outset, and to be transparent in all communications about what the money is being raised for, including the charity’s name and registered number.

While the Charity Commission and Fundraising Regulator already publish advice for members of the public to give safely when donating to good causes, this is the first time the regulators have published joint guidance for people looking to fundraise for charity.

The guidance recommends fundraisers:

• set a clear target and time limit for their appeal
• tell donors upfront about any expenses that will be deducted before funds are passed on to the charity
• use a reputable online fundraising platform over a personal bank account

Individuals can find a full list of steps in the guidance as well as advice on making contingency plans if circumstances change.

The regulators want members of the public to follow the guidance, explaining that taking care before setting up appeals can help them avoid problems later down the line. This includes unnecessary administrative steps (involving the regulators) or potential public criticism, for example that money isn’t reaching the end cause quickly enough. Taking care can help protect public trust and avoid the risk that an appeal is seen to be fraudulent.

David Holdsworth, Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, said:

The British public are some of the most generous people in the world, whether they’re donating time or money. We see some truly inspiring acts every day - from running marathons to running community-led memory cafes for people managing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

When you’re fundraising for a cause you care about, it’s important to know your legal responsibilities. That’s why we’ve partnered with the Fundraising Regulator to create this guide — helping you raise money for your chosen charity in a way that’s legal, ethical, and effective.

Gerald Oppenheim, CEO, at the Fundraising Regulator said:

Fundraising by members of the public makes an invaluable contribution to the charity sector each year. Whether raising money through sponsored challenges, community events or emergency appeals, fundraisers have an important responsibility to ensure donations reach their intended cause.

This guidance gives members of the public the practical information they need to follow the law, build trust with donors and avoid problems that could prevent charities from accessing funds quickly and effectively. We encourage anyone planning a fundraising appeal to read the guidance before they begin.

The full guide can be found on gov.uk.

Notes to editors:

• The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its ambition is to be an expert regulator that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive. This ambition will help to create and sustain an environment where charities further build public trust and ultimately fulfil their essential role in enhancing lives and strengthening society. Find out more: About us - The Charity Commission - GOV.UK
• The Fundraising Regulator is the independent regulator of charitable fundraising in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulator also has a lead role where charities primarily registered in these three countries fundraise in Scotland. The Fundraising Regulator is funded through a voluntary levy on charities spending £100,000 or more each year on fundraising. Other charities outside the levy can register with the regulator by paying an administrative charge of £50 a year. The regulator also receives income from registering commercial fundraising businesses. The Fundraising Regulator was established following the 2015 Cross-Party Parliamentary Review of Fundraising chaired by Sir Stuart Etherington and assumed responsibility for regulating fundraising from 7 July 2016.
• The Charity Commission’s analysis of 2024 Annual Return data revealed the total gross income for the sector was £101.87 billion for financial years ending between January 2024 and December 2024. Donations and legacies raised £32.4 billion, almost a third (31.64%) of all charity income. Charities in income bands under £500,000 had the greatest proportion of their income from this source (45.57% of income) and, further, for the smallest charities, those with income less than £10,000, it was more than half of income (56.25%). The larger charities, those with an income above £1 million, reported a third of their income (32.14%) from this source with a value of £27.43 billion. The full analysis can be found here: Annual Return 2024 analysis report - GOV.UK
• The Charity Commission’s sector overview, which is updated daily and based on data submitted by charities, also shows that a 1/3 of income is sourced from donations and legacies. To note – some income is listed as ‘no single category’ which may additionally include donations via public fundraising.
• If you think that a collection or appeal is not legitimate, report it to Report Fraud at www.reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.