# Northern Ireland charities favour extending remit of UK regulator

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/05/16/northern-ireland-charities-favour-extending-remit-of-uk-regulator/
- Published: 2017-05-16T09:34:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Most charities in Northern Ireland prefer joining the Fundraising Regulator operating
in England and Wales to establishing a separate body locally, according to a consultation
undertaken recently by the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action ([NICVA](http://www.nicva.org)).**

Out of the 47 responses to the online survey 34 were satisfied or very satisfied
with the role of the existing Fundraising Regulator. However, the consultation found
that there are still some questions to be answered and concerns to be addressed 
so a working group plans to meet with the Fundraising Regulator to discuss these
issues and then formally make a recommendation on the way forward..

Some of the views in relation to joining with the Fundraising Regulator included
affordability, capacity, simplicity and clarity for donors across the UK and proportionality
due to the number of complaints.

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Concerns were also expressed about the regulatory role in relation to having to 
pay fees, the stigma of not joining a regulatory framework, not having local control
and difficulties for small charities.

In its response, the British Heart Foundation said the approach to fundraising regulation
should be consistent, unitary and clear and align with arrangements in England and
Wales.

There was a clear appetite from the consultation for improving fundraising practice
and a real need expressed for support in terms of fundraising practice and resourcing
issues of best practice.

A significant number of respondents suggested establishing a specific “Northern 
Ireland Fundraising Practice programme and/or group”, where interested parties could
work collaboratively to promote best practice and, if necessary, identify and secure
additional resources.

 * **[NICVA announces fundraising training programme](https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/02/27/nicva-announces-fundraising-training-programme/)(
   27 February 2012)
 * **[Fundraising Regulator launches Code consultation](https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/09/06/fundraising-regulator-launches-code-consultation/)(
   6 September 2023)
 * **[Fundraising Regulator opens up registration scheme for Northern Ireland](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/03/01/fundraising-regulator-opens-registration-scheme-northern-ireland/)(
   1 March 2018)**