# Smaller charities unfamiliar with fundraising changes

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/02/05/smaller-charities-unfamiliar-with-fundraising-changes/
- Published: 2016-02-05T11:28:24+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Many smaller charities remain unfamiliar with the Etherington Review and how changes
to fundraising practices will affect them, according to a joint survey by the Institute
of Fundraising and the Small Charities Coalition.**

The findings were released at the [IoF and Small Charities Coalition forum](http://livestream.com/beinspiredfilmslive/FFR16)
on 4^(th) February, which was attended by Stephen Dunmore, chief executive of the
Fundraising Regulator, and George Kidd, chair of the Fundraising Preference Service.

45% report being ‘not very familiar’ or ‘not at all familiar’ with the review, although
46% say the issues of public trust and confidence seen since last summer had resulted
in ‘some’ or ‘a great impact’ on their organisation.

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There is however a general agreement that stronger sanctions are needed, with 52%
believing that the new regulator should be able to stop fundraising activity with‘
cease and desist’ orders and 43% for the issuing of compulsory training orders.

Many feel concern over a Fundraising Preference Service however: 59% thought it 
will lead to ‘more administration, and 59% higher suppression costs. 54% thought
they would have to train staff to check contacts, and more thought that it would
result in fewer donations (40%) than an improved public image (29%).

Opinions were almost even on the subject of funding the new regulator, with 38% 
thinking that it should be paid for by charities that fundraise from the public 
and spend more than £100,000 on fundraising, and 34% thinking that the Government
should foot the bill.

On the subject of greater oversight by trustees, 72% felt that their trustees already
play a clear role in, or contribute to and set strategy for fundraising, while a
fifth thought that increased trustee involvement would have a significant impact
on their organisation.

Peter Lewis, chief executive of the IoF, said:

> “These results drive home the importance of involving and informing smaller charities
> about the changes taking place. Fundraisers working in smaller charities perform
> amazing work, often with very limited resources, and so it is really important
> that the views of the whole of the fundraising sector are heard on these issues.”

Stephen Dunmore, chief executive of the Fundraising Regulator, added:

> “As we work to establish a new fundraising regulator, it’s essential that we hear
> and take on board views across the full range of fundraising organisations. Smaller
> charities make up the vast majority of the charities in the UK and have a significant
> role to play in helping to shape and inform the working practices of the new regulator.”

Download the [full small charities survey](http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/library/iof-and-small-charities-coalition-research-on-fundraising/)
from the IoF site.

 * **[Public trust in fundraising in Scotland “remains high”](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/02/17/public-trust-in-fundraising-in-scotland-remains-high/)**(
   17 February 2016)
 * **[What are charities for and how should they be regulated?](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/02/17/what-are-charities-for-and-how-should-they-be-regulated/)**(
   17 February 2016)
 * **[IoF announces Future of Fundraising Regulation events](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/03/18/iof-announces-future-fundraising-regulation-events/)**(
   18 March 2016)

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