# NPC issues briefing on best practice in fundraising for trustees

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/01/27/npc-issues-briefing-best-practice-fundraising-trustees/
- Published: 2017-01-27T10:22:25+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**[NPC](http://www.thinknpc.org/) has published a briefing paper on how trustees
can support their charity’s fundraising.**

[_Best Practice in Fundraising: A Guide for Trustees_](http://www.thinknpc.org/publications/best-practice-in-fundraising-a-guide-for-trustees/)
is the result of a seminar held by NPC and [The Clothworkers’ Company](http://www.clothworkers.co.uk/Home.aspx)
last November that explored the role of trustees in charity fundraising.

Speaking at the event were: Ian MacQuillin, director of fundraising think tank [Rogare](https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools/plymouth-business-school/centre-for-sustainable-philanthropy/rogare),
Rachel Bartholomeusz and Liz Jorden, trustees, [Disability Challengers](http://disability-challengers.org/),
and Gethyn Williams, director of development and engagement, [Contact a Family](http://www.cafamily.org.uk/),
chaired by Sally Bagwell, deputy head of the charities team at NPC.

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The paper summarises the [Charity Commission’s](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/charity-commission)
six key duties for trustees as set out in last year’s reissued [CC20 guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/charities-and-fundraising-cc20),
and explores how trustees can fulfil these duties, looking at why fundraising matters
for trustees, the role they should play in fundraising, and how to best support 
best practice.

This includes advice for trustees on how to set their charity on the right course,
with key points including the need to establish a clear and sustainable fundraising
strategy, ensure best practice compliance, and implement clear policies around sensitive
issues.

Other key points include the need for trustees to:

 * Have a good understanding of the charity’s accounts
 * Understand current perspectives on best practice
 * Challenge the status quo where necessary.
 * Act as an ambassador for the charity
 * Ensure that the charity’s fundraising connects with its values and culture
 * Provide support and constructive challenge

To this end, the seminar’s panelists recommend that trustees ask themselves ‘what
does ‘good’ fundraising mean for our charity?’, including how beneficiaries are 
portrayed as well as how supporters are treated.

The risk management side of the trustee role is also discussed, with advice on how
to accomplish this successfully, such as understanding the reason behind any high
cost fundraising activities and their likely return, having a clear complaints policy,
and where possible, having a diversified range of fundraising activities without
spreading resources too thinly.

The paper also covers how to support fundraising staff, how to monitor any outsourced
fundraising, and questions for trustees to consider.

The paper is available as a [free download](http://www.thinknpc.org/publications/best-practice-in-fundraising-a-guide-for-trustees/)
from the NPC site.

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