Scope of our regulation
We regulate all fundraising in England, Wales and Northern Ireland carried out by charitable institutions and third-party fundraisers. This includes:
- charities registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales and the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
- exempt charities (for example, universities in England)
- other organisations with entirely or predominantly charitable, philanthropic and benevolent objectives (for example, community interest companies)
- commercial agencies and other organisations employed by charities to raise funds for them; and
- online fundraising platforms.
Where fundraising is carried out in aid of an organisation, but without the organisation's permission, we will assess on a case-by-case basis whether any responsibility can reasonably be assigned to the charity in respect of the activity concerned.
Enforcement
We do not have statutory powers to sanction fundraising organisations if they are found to be non-compliant with the Code of Fundraising Practice. However, where we investigate and make recommendations for improvement in fundraising practice, there is a high level of compliance with our decisions. This demonstrates the sector’s willingness to improve and that a voluntary model of regulation is working.
Fundraising regulation in Scotland
Fundraising self-regulation in Scotland is different to the system in place in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Fundraising by charities only registered in Scotland with the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is subject to adjudication by the Scottish Fundraising Adjudication Panel.
- Fundraising in Scotland by charities where the lead regulator is the Charity Commission for England and Wales or Northern Ireland, is regulated by the Fundraising Regulator.
However, the Code of Fundraising Practice applies across all four countries in the UK.