As part of the launch of the new Code of Fundraising Practice (the code), we’ve published three support guides to help fundraising organisations apply the code in practice. These guides can be used alongside the code and they focus on areas that fundraisers have told us can be complex or high-risk: documenting decisions, due diligence, and monitoring fundraising partnerships.
The new code introduces a principles-based approach that moves away from prescriptive rules for each fundraising method. This allows the code to be more flexible, adaptable, and easier to apply across a range of fundraising activities – including new and emerging methods. It also means that fundraisers need to exercise good judgement in carrying out fundraising.
That’s where the code support guides come in. They do not create additional rules or replace the code. Instead, they offer practical advice, examples and helpful links to information from other trusted organisations to help fundraisers put the code into action.
Documenting your fundraising decisions
Being able to explain and justify your decisions is a key part of good governance and accountability. This guide provides advice on when and how to keep records of decisions that affect your fundraising – from accepting or refusing donations to handling complaints.
The guide also offers tips on writing meeting minutes, managing conflicts of interest, and carrying out and recording risk assessments. It explains why documenting decisions matters, especially if concerns are raised by donors or the public, or if your organisation is ever subject to an investigation by the Fundraising Regulator.
Clear documentation helps to show that your decisions were made using appropriate information and advice, and in line with your charity’s best interests.
Due diligence and fundraising
This guide explains how to carry out appropriate checks on donors, donations and fundraising partners. The new code is clear: before accepting a donation, you must carry out proportionate due diligence that reflects the size and nature of the donation. It’s about protecting your charity’s reputation, managing risk and making reasonable, evidence-based decisions, as well as making sure you and those you work with are complying with the law.
The guide outlines good practice for carrying out these checks and includes advice on working with professional fundraisers, commercial partners and volunteers. It also signposts to relevant laws and guidance from other bodies such as the Charity Commission and HMRC.
Monitoring your fundraising partners
When your organisation works with others, including with third-party fundraisers, you are still responsible for making sure the standards in the code are met. This guide explains how to proportionately monitor your partnerships so that you can be confident the code – and your reputation – are being upheld.
It includes information about making sure those you wish to partner with are appropriate to work with, identifying and managing risks, and taking action when concerns arise. It also covers approaches to monitoring, preparing written agreements, and handling complaints.
Monitoring your fundraising partners is about having the right information to know when things are going well and when they need attention.
Support through the transition
These three code support guides are just the start. We’ve published them now to help organisations prepare for the new code, which comes into effect on 1 November 2025. Over the coming months, we’ll publish further guides to other key areas of fundraising practice.
We know that adopting a principles-based code is a shift in approach for many fundraisers. That’s why we’re committed to providing practical resources that help you understand what’s expected and how to apply it in your own context.
We encourage all fundraising organisations to:
- read the code support guides in full
- use them to review internal policies, procedures and training
- share them with trustees, staff, volunteers and partners; and
- get in touch via the Code Advice Service if you have questions.
These new resources are designed to help you feel confident that your fundraising activity continues to meet the high standards the public expects – now and in the future.