The Fundraising Regulator and Chartered Institute of Fundraising ("IoF") have published new guidance to support the return to public fundraising, to protect the safety and wellbeing of both fundraisers and the public, as the country sees the return of non-essential shops and other businesses beginning to resume their activities.
Written in consultation with Public Health England, and the Health and Safety Executive, the guidance is intended to set out a framework for responsible fundraising, and to “aid good decision making”.
It emphasises that fundraising should only begin again where it is safe to do so, and must be in line with Government advice, in accordance with the social distancing guidelines, and where the risks associated with the fundraising activities can be appropriately managed.
It states that all fundraising organisations should read the guidance and carry out full risk assessments in relation to their proposed fundraising activities to inform their decisions. They should also consider consulting staff and volunteers before recommencing fundraising activities.
Charities should carefully document all relevant decisions, and the guidance suggests that they should be prepared to explain and justify those decisions if necessary.
The first piece of guidance addresses the overarching principles applicable to all fundraising methods, and the second contains specific advice on public fundraising, including fundraising in the street, door-to-door and on private sites.
Further guidance containing practical advice will be published by the Fundraising Regulator and the IoF in the coming weeks.
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