21 October 2009 - The Institute of Fundraising (IoF) has accused 16 charities of using "poor direct marketing practices".
According to the website thirdsector.co.uk, the membership body for fundraising in the UK decided to take action after it had received complaints from members about charities that use "over-emotional language" and "guild-inducing gifts", such as coins. Another complaint was that the charities do not say clearly how donation will be spent
The IoF has invited the 16 charities to comply with the institute's voluntary code of practice and has indicated that it will refer those charities that fail to respond to the Fundraising Standards Boards (FRSB).
Because the 16 charities are not members of the IoF and FRSB they have no obligation to comply with the institute's request. And because both the IoF and FRSB are self-regulatory bodies, none of the 16 charities will be named. The chief executive of the FRSB, Alistair McLean, has already confirmed that its constitution prevents it from naming organisations that are not members, and that the FRSB will only privately ask the charities to "mend their ways".
The chief executive of the IoF, Lindsay Boswell is nevertheless hopeful that its appeal will be successful. He told thirdsector.co.uk: "We are putting clear separation between those who want to follow best practice and those who, quite frankly, are interested in turning in a quick buck.
"Most charities are committed to following best practice. These 16 examples were forwarded to us by members who feel they damage both the individual charities and the name of fundraising."
In 2008/09 the FRSB received over 26,000 complaints about charities, three quarters of which were about junk mail.