The New Code of Fundraising Practice – What it Means For You
4th November 2025
Updated guidance for charities, community groups and social enterprises
Author: June Burgess, Funding Advisor
After extensive consultation with the fundraising community, a revised Code of Fundraising Practice has come into force from 1 November 2025. Now shorter and more principles-based, the new Code is designed to support ethical, modern and innovative fundraising across the UK.
This blog summarises the key changes and advises third sector organisations in Scotland on what to do next. Links to further guidance, training and support are included throughout.
What is the Code of Fundraising Practice?
The Code of Fundraising Practice sets out the standards expected of all charitable fundraising in the UK. It applies to fundraising carried out by or on behalf of:
- Registered charities
- Community groups and voluntary organisations
- Social enterprises and Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Commercial fundraising partners and third-party agencies
- Digital fundraising platforms
- Individual fundraisers and volunteers
Importantly, all charitable organisations engaged with any type of fundraising activity are advised to become familiar with the Code.
Promoting Good Fundraising
The Fundraising Regulator is the independent UK body responsible for:
- Maintaining and updating the Code of Fundraising Practice
- Promoting the key values of honest, open, respectful and lawful fundraising
- Handling fundraising complaints across England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Scottish Fundraising Adjudication Panel
In Scotland, the Panel works alongside the Fundraising Regulator and OSCR. It:
- Oversees fundraising standards with enhanced self-regulation in Scotland
- Handles complaints involving Scottish-registered charities
- Provides the Good Fundraising Guarantee, allowing organisations to publicly demonstrate their commitment to best practice
Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIOF)
The CIOF is the professional membership body for the fundraising community. They provide:
- Resources to support good fundraising practice
- Training, guidance and events
- Professional development opportunities
Key Principles of the Code
The revised Code is now based around four core values:
| Value | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Legal | All fundraising must comply with the law and regulatory requirements. |
| Open | Fundraisers should be transparent and willing to explain their actions when necessary. |
| Honest | Fundraisers must act with integrity and not mislead people when asking for donations |
| Respectful | Fundraisers must respect the people and places they interact with. |
What’s changed?
✅ Streamlined and Easier to Navigate
The revised Code is 45% shorter and more consolidated and streamlined than the previous version. For example, instead of providing prescriptive guidance about specific aspects of fundraising, it now provides signposting links to relevant legislation and to the appropriate regulatory bodies such as HMRC and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Information is no longer combined in the same place – the responsibility falls on the fundraiser to explore and apply external sources of information.
✅ Principles-Based Approach
The new Code promotes a principles-based approach and a framework relating to the four key fundraising values (legal, open, honest, respectful). The guidance is broader, more flexible and proportionate so that it can be applied by all sizes of organisations across a wider range of scenarios. It also aims to be future-proof, enabling fundraisers to interpret the Code for new contexts and approaches.
✅ Additional Guidance Included
The Code contains new guidance, including measures to protect fundraisers from harm and promote constructive engagement with the Fundraising Regulator. There is also guidance on unstaffed collection points.
✅ Supporting Code Guides
Three additional support guides are available from the Regulator with practical examples, tips and signposting:
- Due Diligence and Fundraising here – verifying donors and partners
- Monitoring Fundraising Partners here – managing relationships with professional fundraisers or commercial participators
- Documenting Fundraising Decisions here – recording decisions to ensure accountability
What to do next
- Read the revised Code here and the supporting guidance
- Inform trustees, staff, volunteers and fundraising partners
- Review and update your fundraising policies and procedures
- Check contractual agreements with third-party fundraisers
- Sign up for updates from the Fundraising Regulator here (and GCVS here!)
- Access training and support (see below)
Code Training and Webinars
Recordings and some ongoing training is available from the Fundraising Regulator and CIOF websites. We recommend the following videos on YouTube:
- Fundraising Regulator – Navigating the New Code
- CIOF & Fundraising Regulator – Introduction to the New Code
- CIOF & Bates Wells – Understanding the New Code of Fundraising Practice
Support from GCVS
GCVS offers advice, resources and training on fundraising and income generation for community groups, voluntary organisations and eligible social enterprises in Glasgow.
- Visit our Funding & Income Generation page and make sure you’re registered with us for funded support if you operate in Glasgow City.
- Contact us at sectordev@gcvs.org.uk for tailored guidance and advice from the team.