Big changes are coming to the way charities raise funds: a revised Code of Fundraising Practice will take effect on 1 November 2025, following a six-month transition period that began in May. The changes reflect a move toward a more principles-based framework and introduce updates aimed at clarifying expectations around legal compliance, good governance, and ethical fundraising.
Failure to implement the revised Code could expose charities to reputational harm or scrutiny by the Fundraising Regulator or Charity Commission. Trustees should ensure fundraising oversight is a standing item on board meeting agendas throughout the transition period.
Key structural changes
The revised Code is around 45% shorter and is based on a set of core principles. Fundraising must be legal, open, honest, and respectful. This replaces the previous, highly prescriptive format with a more flexible approach, intended to support organisations in applying the Code more proportionately. So rather than prescribing exactly how activities must be carried out, the Code now expects organisations to make decisions guided by key values, similar to how the Charity Governance Code operates.
Behavioural standards and donor protection
A core emphasis of the updated Code is ensuring fundraising interactions are appropriate, specifically, must avoid:
- Intrusive or persistent behaviour;
- Applying undue pressure, and
- Continuing engagement after a request to stop.
Charities must also ensure that fundraising materials and representations are not misleading and are supported by evidence. The new rules place greater responsibility on organisations to protect individuals in vulnerable circumstances and to apply appropriate checks before accepting donations where capacity may be in question.
Oversight of fundraising partners
The Code strengthens expectations around due diligence, oversight, and documentation when working with third-party fundraisers, fundraising platforms, and subcontractors. This includes requirements to:
- Conduct proportionate risk-based assessments;
- Formalise relationships through written agreements; and
- Maintain ongoing monitoring and record-keeping.
This is particularly relevant to activities such as door-to-door fundraising and online giving platforms, where the risk of reputational or regulatory harm can be heightened.
Governance and Compliance
Trustees are reminded of their overarching responsibility to oversee fundraising practices. Charities must ensure that internal policies reflect the updated Code, that fundraisers (including volunteers) are adequately trained and supported, and that any fundraising complaints are addressed constructively and in line with the new standards.
A series of support guides accompanies the revised Code, providing further detail on documentation, partnership oversight, and ethical decision-making in fundraising.
Next steps
Charities are advised to:
- Review current fundraising activities and policies against the revised Code;
- Provide appropriate training and support to all fundraising personnel and volunteers;
- Update governance documentation to reflect the changes; and
- Engage with the Fundraising Regulator’s resources during the transition period.
For further guidance, trustees and charity managers should review the Fundraising Regulator’s Summary of Key Changes, along with the support guides: Fundraising Due Diligence and Agreements and Monitoring Fundraising Activities.
