The new Code of Fundraising Practice

The Fundraising Regulator has published the much anticipated new Code of Fundraising Practice which is available now on their website, and will be effective from 1 November 2025. The new Code represents a significant change in the way fundraising is governed. Developed over two years of extensive consultation, including over 6,000 comments from more than 200 fundraising organisations, the public and other regulators, the updated Code reflects broad sector engagement and a commitment to being clear, flexible and responsive to the times.
What’s New
The new Code demonstrates a shift to a principles-based framework. This fresh approach moves away from overly prescriptive instructions, empowering fundraisers to exercise sound judgment across diverse and emerging fundraising scenarios. The Code is 45% shorter than its predecessor (which is currently still available on the Fundraising Regulator’s website), featuring streamlined content and improved signposting to legal requirements and external guidance. The design is simpler, catering especially to smaller organisations and those new to fundraising. Alongside these changes, a suite of support guides has been introduced to help organisations navigate key areas like due diligence, documenting fundraising decisions, and monitoring fundraising partners. A six-month transition period has been built in to allow fundraising organisations ample time to update policies, train staff and volunteers, and embed the new practices effectively.
Key Changes
Several important rule updates underpin the new Code:
- Enhanced Protection for Fundraisers: A new rule mandates that charities must take reasonable steps to protect fundraisers from harm and harassment during their activities. This includes clear processes for reporting and addressing issues as they arise.
- Improved Guidance on Unstaffed Collections: Clear, accurate, and current information is now required for unstaffed collections, following feedback that this was previously unclear. Donors must be given details such as the charity’s name, registration number, and contact information. For collections managed by a third party, further transparency is required regarding the collector’s identity and the payment arrangements for fundraising partners.
- Responsiveness of Online Platforms: Recognising challenges in digital fundraising, the new Code includes specific requirements for online fundraising platforms to respond appropriately to reasonable requests from charitable institutions.
- Constructive Engagement: Charities and their fundraising partners are now required to respond constructively and promptly to enquiries from the Regulator and the Scottish Fundraising Adjudication Panel, ensuring greater accountability and clarity in communications.
You can find a useful table of the changes on the Code of Fundraising Practice’s website here.
Key Takeaways
The comprehensive two-year consultation and diverse sector engagement have resulted in a Code that is clearer, more flexible, and better suited to the contemporary landscape shaped by technological advances, societal shifts, and updated legislation.
By adopting a principles-based approach, fundraisers are encouraged to balance risks and opportunities while documenting their decisions. This shift not only streamlines compliance but also fosters innovation and responsiveness to emerging methods of fundraising.
The revamped Code’s simplicity and brevity make it more accessible, particularly for smaller organisations and individuals new to fundraising. Support guides and a generous transition period further ease the process of adaptation.
Gerald Oppenheim, Chief Executive of the Fundraising Regulator, summarised the ethos behind the new Code: “The new Code is designed to remain relevant and responsive to future changes while maintaining rigorous standards to help fundraising organisations raise much-needed funds. It is clearer, shorter, and easier to understand – without sacrificing the specificity and clarity of the current Code. We are confident that the new Code will help charities to maintain the excellent standards necessary for the public to maintain confidence and trust in fundraising – helping charitable fundraising to thrive.”
If you would like further guidance on the new fundraising Code, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our Charities team.

Disclaimer
This information is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We recommend seeking professional advice before taking any action on the information provided. If you would like to discuss your specific circumstances, please feel free to contact us on 0800 2800 421.