UK charities called on to sign Donor Code of Conduct pledge

The UK’s Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIOF), with Rogare – the Fundraising Think Tank, is calling on charities across the country to sign a pledge committing to develop and implement a Donor Code of Conduct that will safeguard fundraisers from inappropriate donor or supporter behaviour. The move comes after more than half of fundraisers questioned in a survey reported having experienced behaviour by a donor or supporter that made them feel physically or mentally unsafe.

Earlier this year, the CIOF and Rogare asked fundraisers to anonymously submit their views and experiences of inappropriate behaviour from donors or supporters via an online portal. The 212 responses highlighted the following:

• 109 (51%) reported having experienced behaviour by a donor that made them feel physically or mentally unsafe. 96 of these respondents completed further questions about their experiences.
• 76 (36%) said it had never happened to them, but knew of others that it had happened to.
• 27 (13%) said it not happened to them, and they were not aware of others experiencing inappropriate behaviour.

96 respondents completed further questions about inappropriate behaviour, sharing the following:

• 82 (88%) had experienced this behaviour more than once.
• 7 (8%) had only experienced this behaviour once but it was enough to make them feel very unsafe.
• 8 (8%) have felt seriously unsafe on more than one occasion.
• 47 (53%) see it as something that happens regularly enough that they have to be ready for it.

The main type of inappropriate behaviour reported by fundraisers in the survey was sexually inappropriate behaviour – including sexual innuendo, banter or unwanted comments, inappropriate physical contact, improper propositioning, and one report of sexual assault.

The survey found that the most significant amount of inappropriate behaviour was committed by major donors and philanthropists and carried out towards major donor and philanthropy fundraisers, but respondents also reported it from other types of donors and supporters, including event participants, friend groups, legacy/bequest donors, and trusts and foundations.

Katie Docherty, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, said:

“While this survey represents just a sample of fundraisers operating across the UK, the results from it are simply horrifying and unacceptable. Whether it’s one person, or 100 – a report of sexual assault, sexual misconduct or sexually inappropriate behaviour, is one report too many. No one should have to go to their work every day with the fear of this type of behaviour hanging over them.

“And while sexually inappropriate behaviour has been the main problem reported in this survey, it’s not the only one – fundraisers, whether volunteers or staff, have been shouted at and abused for simply doing their jobs and this can no longer continue. That is why the CIOF, with Rogare, is calling on all charities across the UK to sign our pledge, committing to developing and implementing a Donor Code of Conduct for their organisation – fundraisers are the beating hearts of our sector and we need to ensure they are properly safeguarded from these types of behaviours.”

A code of conduct for donor behaviour was one of the recommendations from Rogare’s Blueprint to Dismantle Patriarchal Structures in Fundraising.

Damian Chapman, chair of Rogare, said:

“Sexual harassment is the most extreme form of donor behaviour that might make fundraisers feel unsafe – but it is not the only one. Bullying both verbal and physical, making disparaging comments about a fundraiser’s protected characteristics, such as their race or sexual orientation, or interfering with their work or career might all harm a fundraiser’s psychological wellbeing.

“We want charities to pledge to safeguard their fundraisers and volunteers – from those who are working in your major donors team to your field fundraisers who are out knocking on doors or speaking to people in the street, to your events teams who are staffing cheer stations at major events like the London Marathon. While it’s unacceptable that they may experience this behaviour, they should feel confident that they can report any issues and know they will be dealt with properly and efficiently, which is why a Donor Code of Conduct is so important.”

Scottish Ballet introduced its own Donor Guiding Principles six months ago, following a two-year process that included internal consultation with Board members, consultations with fundraisers and input from dancers, whom the code is also designed to protect.

Antonia Brownlee, its Director of Philanthropy explained:

“We chose to restate the values that Scottish Ballet adheres to – such as anti-racism, and a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and improper conduct – and invited supporters to join the organisation in living those values. These principles are sent to patrons when they first join, asking them to confirm that they have read and acknowledge the code, and are resent when patrons renew their annual support.

“Six months on from its introduction, there has not been an incident for which the principles have needed to be invoked. But just having them in place has made Scottish Ballet’s fundraisers feel more confident in dealing with any problems that might arise – having this donor code of conduct has really empowered us to feel confident in starting values-led conversations at the very beginning in discovery meetings with potential donors.”

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