Do you always make sure you’re giving to genuine charitable causes? Our guest explains why you should look out for the Fundraising Badge before giving to charity.
This is a guest article by Gerald Oppenheim. All views expressed are Gerald’s own and not necessarily shared by Which?.
The easing of pandemic restrictions across the UK has meant in-person fundraising can begin to resume. The pandemic caused public fundraising activity to pause for periods of time throughout 2020 and 2021, so it’s been fantastic to see fundraisers engaging with the public once more.
But with public fundraising returning, it is vital that you and others around you feel confident donating to good causes. Very sadly, there are always likely to be a small number of individuals seeking to take advantage of people’s goodwill.
The Fundraising Badge
To help you check that the causes you give to are legitimate and adhere to good fundraising practices, you should look out for the Fundraising Badge before giving to charity.
The Fundraising Badge is the logo which shows that a charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator. It means that the charity has committed to fundraising in line with the Code of Fundraising Practice, which applies to all charitable fundraising across the UK.
When you see the badge, you can give with confidence, knowing the charitable cause has agreed to fundraise in a way that is legal, open and honest. You can find the badge on charity fundraising materials, such as advertisements on billboards, buses and trains, on donation pages of a charity’s website and on street collection buckets.
You can also look out for the badge in social media posts, on direct mail marketing and in magazines.
Are you thinking of donating to or raising funds for a charity? Look out for the #FundraisingBadge. When you see it, you can have confidence in a charity’s fundraising. Click to find out more https://t.co/MSW2rYete9 pic.twitter.com/rGpcjiIwrQ
— FundraisingRegulator (@FundrRegulator) September 3, 2021
Extra steps to identify genuine causes
If a charity does not display the Fundraising Badge, and you are unsure about its legitimacy, you can also:
🔹 Check the charity’s name and registration number here, or check the charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and committed to good fundraising practice on our site here.
🔹 Look out for the charity’s name, registered number and a landline contact number on fundraising materials – these should be included on materials such as charity clothing collection bags.
🔹 If you’re approached by a collector on the street or at the door, ask to see the collector’s ID badge. Genuine collectors should also have a permit or license to collect from the local authority. And you should never feel under pressure by a fundraiser into making a donation immediately.
🔹 If you are still concerned about the authenticity of a fundraising cause, this can be reported to the local authority or the Police.
It is important to remember that the Fundraising Badge is there to keep you safe and to give you peace of mind that your donation is going to the intended cause, so that you can continue to give with confidence and support the vital work of charities.
This was a guest article by Gerald Oppenheim. All views expressed were Gerald’s own and not necessarily shared by Which?.
Were you aware of the Fundraising Badge? Will you be looking out for it as a result of this advice? Let us know in the comments.