Face-to-face fundraising is covered by a dedicated code of practice drawn up by the Institute of Fundraising. All F2F fundraisers must abide by this code of practice.
The Institute of Fundraising has 29 codes governing all types of fundraising, such as telephone, direct mail, electronic media, challenge events and cash collections. However, the Face-to-Face Activity Code of Fundraising Practice is the only code that has a dedicated organisation – the PFRA – to enforce it.
We run a mystery shopping programme that tests fundraisers against code compliance and our members are required to complete a self-accreditation process that commits them to meeting certain minimum conditions.
The PFRA also has a complaints procedure. This is mainly intended for use by local authority officers to report fundraisers who have breached site management agreements. However, we will also respond, through our complaints procedure, to any members of the public who report an alleged breach of the F2F code of practice directly to us. We aim to resolve complaints within a matter of days.
Most of the PFRA’s major charity members are also members of the Fundraising Standards Board, the self-regulatory body for the entire fundraising sector.