# New code on charities’ accountability and transparency

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2005/10/03/new-code-charities039-accountability-and-transparency/
- Published: 2005-10-03T23:00:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**The Institute of Fundraising is to develop a new Code of Fundraising Practice 
that will outline best practice guidance on accountability and transparency in fundraising
and related communications within voluntary sector organisations.**

The Code is a key part of the Institute’s contribution to the [ImpACT Coalition](http://www.impactcoalition.org.uk),
the new sector-wide campaign to increase trust and confidence in charities.

The Institute says that the Code will be relevant to all fundraising organisations
and is asking for charity fundraisers, lawyers and communication professionals to
volunteer to join the working party to develop the Code.

## Advertisement

The new Code will cover:

 * How to communicate information about the purpose and benefits of fundraising 
   to donors, funders, beneficiaries and the general public.
 * How to comply with relevant finance and reporting initiatives and regulations
   to enhance donor and public understanding
 * How to be transparent in fundraising and reporting materials about the investment
   organisations make in fundraising

The details of the proposed Code can be viewed at the Institute’s website. Application
forms to join or Chair the Working Party must be submitted to the Institute by **
21 October 2005**.

As Chair of the ImpACT (Improving Accountability, Clarity and Transparency) Coalition
Coalition, Alan Gosschalk, Fundraising Director of Shelter, explained the need for
the Code: “For a long time, fundraisers and communication professionals have been
talking about the need to be clearer to donors, volunteers, the media and general
public, about how charities work and how they are raising and spending their money.
We need to work together to give supporters the facts about how charities work, 
to explain the different methods of fundraising and why charities need to invest
in increasing their fundraising capacity.
“These new guidelines are a critical step
forward in giving fundraisers real, practical support in ensuring that their organisation
is as transparent as possible.”

 * **[Top 15 charities sign up to ImpACT coalition](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/01/03/top-15-charities-sign-impact-coalition/)**(
   3 January 2006)
 * **[ImpACT Coalition unveils new logo](https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/05/11/impact-coalition-unveils-new-logo/)**(
   11 May 2007)
 * **[Joe Saxton tops most influential in fundraising poll again](https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/05/23/joe-saxton-tops-most-influential-fundraising-poll-again/)**(
   23 May 2007)