Protect fundraisers from harassment, say new ‘principles-based’ UK rules

UK charities and fundraising agencies must “take reasonable steps to protect fundraisers from harm and harassment”, say updated rules for the sector.

The Fundraising Regulator’s new Code of Fundraising Practice came into force on 1 November 2025, updating the previous 2019 version.

The updated version contains “principles-based rules”, which it says makes it less prescriptive and more proportionate for users.

The issue of fundraiser safety has also been advanced by the UK’s Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIOF) and the fundraising think tank Rogare. On 17 November, the organisations proposed the sector-wide adoption of a Donor Code of Conduct. More on that here. The same day, the CIOF published a page on its website detailing that many fundraisers have experienced sexual harassment in their careers, often by an external stakeholder such as a donor.

Code changes

In addition to the new rule on protection from harassment, the updated Code includes a section on fundraising platforms.

There are also new principles on transparency in ‘convenience giving’ and ‘unstaffed collections’, meaning places where someone can tap their card to donate, or are asked to add an additional amount to a retail transaction.

The Code no longer includes rules about charities making commission-based payments to fundraising staff. Instead, it says that organisations must “give appropriate consideration to… whether this fits the values [of your charity]”.

Need for interpretation

An article by Bates Wells, a law firm specialising in charity clients, says that the move to a principles-based approach is the “biggest” change in the new Code. The article says:

“Whilst there are advantages to a principles-based approach, it means that there will be a greater need for organisations to interpret the Code and assess how the rules apply to their fundraising activity. This may make it harder to know how to comply with specific Code sections.”

Lord Toby Harris, Chair of the Fundraising Regulator, says:

“The new code is clearer, easier to use and designed to reflect the realities of modern fundraising. We are grateful to the many charities and fundraisers who shaped these changes. Their input has helped us create a code that continues to protect the public, supports innovation, and reinforces trust and confidence in charitable giving.”

The regulator says that a recent survey of UK fundraisers showed that 90% are positive about the new code, with 91% feeling that it is clearer.

It has also been made somewhat shorter – the 2025 Code is 21,000 words, down from 32,000 for the 2019 version.

The Fundraising Regulator is the independent regulator of charitable fundraising in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the Scottish Fundraising Adjudication Panel performs a similar role.