The Fundraising Regulator’s new Code of Fundraising Practice (“the code”) came into effect on 1 November 2025. The code sets the standards that apply to fundraising conducted by all charitable institutions and third-party fundraisers in the UK.
Updated code
The updated code was developed through extensive consultation with fundraisers and organisations in the charity sector. It simplifies and consolidates previous rules, introduces clearer language, and strengthens protections for donors, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances.
The new code also aligns fundraising practice more closely with legal requirements and best practice, making it easier for organisations to comply and maintain public trust.
Key changes
We have summarised some of the key changes to the code in the table below. A full list of all changes can be found on the regulators website.
Regulator guidance
To help charitable organisations and third-party fundraisers apply the new code, the regulator has created a set of supporting guides and offers a dedicated advice service.
| Section | Section Title | Summary of Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Behaviour when fundraising | New consolidated rule (1.1.2) requiring fundraising to reflect positively on the sector, including avoiding undue pressure, persistent approaches, and respecting requests to end interactions. |
| 1 | Informing donors and treating people fairly | New rules (1.2 series) clarifying evidence requirements for claims, prohibit misleading information, and require fairness in donor interactions. |
| 1 | Informing donors and treating people fairly | New rules (1.2 series) clarifying evidence requirements for claims, prohibit misleading information, and require fairness in donor interactions. |
| 2 | Responsibilities of governing bodies | New rules (2.1 series) setting clearer duties for trustees, including risk management, protecting fundraisers from harm, and responding to regulator inquiries. |
| 2 | Accepting, refusing and returning donations | New rules (2.2 series) formalising due diligence on donors and sets clear conditions for refusing or refunding donations. |
| 2 | Complaints and concerns | New rules (2.3 series) requiring clear, public complaints procedures and systematic reviews of complaints for learning. |
| 4 | Processing donations | New rules (3.1–3.5) introducing detailed standards for handling cash, cheques, and card transactions, including security and accountability requirements. |
| 5 | Volunteers | New rules (4.1–4.2) mandating appropriate training and due diligence for volunteers and distinguishing “in-aid-of” and “on-behalf-of” roles. |
| 6 | Fundraising involving children | New rules (5.1–5.2) strengthening safeguarding, age restrictions, and permissions for photography and school engagement. |
| 7 | Fundraising partnerships | New rules (6.1–6.4) requiring due diligence on third-party fundraisers, written agreements with clear termination rights, and monitoring compliance. |
| 8 | Collecting money or property | New rules (7.1–7.5) setting stricter standards for behaviour, identification, and permissions for street and door-to-door collections. |
| 9 | Fundraising communications | New rules (8.1–8.4) emphasising responsible accurate content, opt-outs, and consent for marketing, plus clarity on case studies and frequency of contact. |
| 10 | Events | New rules (10.1–10.3) requiring risk assessments, clear participant conditions, and contingency planning for cancellations. |
| 11 | Lotteries and prize competitions | New rules (11.1–11.3) clarifying responsibilities for draws, transparency, and participant communication. |
| 14 | Legacies | New rules (14.1–14.3) strengthening safeguards against undue influence and clarifies procedures for will-writing and legacy fundraising. |
Please get in contact with us to discuss how these changes might impact your charity, or institution.
Please note that this content is not intended to give specific technical advice. It is designed to highlight some of the key changes rather than provide an exhaustive explanation of the topics. Professional advice should always be sought before action is either taken or refrained from as a result of information contained herein.
