Donor data and consent
The Fundraising Regulator has released its guidance aimed at helping charities better understand their responsibilities in relation to donor consent, data protection and legitimate interests. The guidance has been published alongside six case studies, showing examples of charities at different stages in the process of achieving full data compliance who have reconsidered their approach to donor consent over the past 12 months. An actions checklist and self-assessment toolkit has also been published to accompany the guidance, and help charities with the practical issues surrounding consent and personal data processing.
See the guidance, case studies, checklist and toolkit
Gerald Oppenheim, head of policy and communications at the Fundraising Regulator, has written on Civil Society about why the Fundraising Regulator has published these guidelines.
Code of Fundraising Practice consultation
On 1 March, NCVO hosted an online event with the Fundraising Regulator talking about proposed changes to the Code of Fundraising Practice – you can watch the recording if you didn’t catch it. You can also respond to the code consultation up until 28 April.
Fundraising Preference Service
The Fundraising Regulator is asking for feedback on its development of the Fundraising Preference Service (FPS). Those interested in the consultation are asked to register online. They will then receive a brief weekly e-mail from the regulator asking for their opinion on several different aspects of the FPS, ranging from appearance to function.
ICO issues draft guidance on consent
Charity Times reports that charities need to offer individuals ‘genuine choice and control’ over how their data is collected, according to the Information Commissioner’s Office draft guidance on the General Data Protection Regulation.
Spring Budget 2017: A chancellor holding his breath
Yesterday’s Budget was very much about what the chancellor decided not to spend his money on. Michael Birtwistle explains what he thinks the key points for charities are in his blog post.
On the fundraising blogs
- Has fundraising moved forwards, or backwards, in the last 50 years? – Giles Pegram
- Fundraising and rights balancing – what does it really mean? – Margaret Clift
- Research on fundraiser-donor relationships: What part of ‘broken’ don’t we understand? – Paul Vanags
- Why aren’t nonprofits retaining more donors? – Claire Axelrad
Other fundraising and sustainability news
Funding to improve impact data
Access Impact/NPC has announced the launch of £1.8m in grant funding available to charities and social enterprises over the next year and a half through the Impact Management Programme. Charities and social enterprises can apply for pilot grants to improve their collection and use of data, to scale impact and secure social investment or commissioned contracts.
LA funding allocations
Indirectly related to the sector is this press release on local authority funding allocations.
The Road Ahead: What will 2017 mean for charities?
Each year NCVO publishes The Road Ahead, a report that builds a picture of the challenges and opportunities coming up for the voluntary sector, and helps members navigate the best way forward. See the key issues identified and download a summary report (NCVO members can access the report in full too).
Training and events
Go to the training and events section of our website to see all of our upcoming events.
NCVO Annual Conference 2017: Leading with purpose
This event takes place on Thursday 20 April, in London. Share knowledge and ideas with other charity leaders and explore the key elements you need to consider when running your organisation. Don’t miss out – book your place today.
Other training/events
- Cyber security and privacy essentials for the voluntary sector – 10 March
- Developing your theory of change – 25 April
- Writing successful bids – 5 May
- Charity finance for non-financial managers – 9 June
- Enterprisingly charitable – 16 June
- Charity leadership in the 2020s – 18-20 June and 21 November
- Charity risk management – 30 June
- NCVO/BWB Trustee Conference 2017 – 14 November. Register your interest for more information about this conference as it becomes available.
You can always contact us about training or consultancy support.
As always, if you have anything you think we should include in next month’s round-up, please do drop me a line.
Richard Sved is an NCVO sustainable funding consultant. He has worked and volunteered in the charity sector for 25 years. He has led the fundraising function (in-house and as an interim) for six national charities, including National Literacy Trust, Leap Confronting Conflict and Girlguiding. 
