Our Professional Code of Conduct

As professionals serving in the voluntary sector, MAA abides by the relevant legislation and Codes of Practice issued by the Institute of Fundraising and the Association of Fundraising Consultants. Full details can be found on their respective websites www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk and www.afc.org.uk. However, extracts of the Codes of Practice relating to fundraising consultancy can be found below:

1. Institute of Fundraising

Code of Conduct

The Institute of Fundraising is the professional body that seeks to represent all fundraisers. Its purpose is to improve the highest standards of fundraising, and to support and develop the knowledge and standards of all those who undertake fundraising.

Members of the Institute champion and promote fundraising as a profession. They maintain the highest standards of fundraising, engage in the Institute’s work, commit to its mission and are at all times fully representative of the fundraising community. All categories of membership of the Institute are required, as a condition of their membership, to conform to the following Code of Conduct in every aspect of their professional life. It is the duty of all members to assist the Institute in implementing and enforcing the code, and they will be supported by the Institute for so doing. Violation of the Code may lead to disciplinary action including expulsion from the Institute.

All members of the Institute of Fundraising undertake to:

  • conduct themselves at all times with complete integrity, honesty and trustfulness
  • respect the dignity of their profession and ensure that their actions enhance the reputation of themselves and the Institute
  • act according to the highest standards and visions of their organisation, profession and conscience
  • advocate within their organisations adherence to all applicable laws and regulations
  • avoid even the appearance of any criminal offence or professional misconduct
  • bring credit to the fundraising profession by their public demeanour
  • encourage colleagues to embrace and practice this Code of Conduct.

They shall:

  • not misuse their authority or office for personal gain
  • comply with the laws of the United Kingdom which relate to their professional activities, both in letter and spirit
  • advocate within their organisations compliance with the laws of the United Kingdom which relate to their professional activities, both in letter and spirit
  • not exploit any relationship with a donor, prospect, volunteer or employee for personal benefit
  • not knowingly, recklessly or maliciously injure the professional reputation or practice of other members of this profession
  • at all times act honestly and in such a manner that donors are not misled
  • not knowingly or recklessly disseminate false or misleading information in the course of their professional duties, nor permit their subordinates to do so
  • not represent conflicting or competing interests without consent of the parties concerned after full disclosure of the facts
  • not knowingly act in a manner inconsistent with this Code, or knowingly cause or permit others to do so.

Professional Competence

All members of the Institute are expected to:

  • strive to attain and apply a high level of competence to the efficient conduct of the work entrusted to them
  • improve their professional knowledge and skills in order that their performance will better serve others
  • recognise their individual boundaries of competence and be forthcoming and truthful about their professional experience and qualifications
  • seek to ensure that all who work with them have appropriate levels of competence for the effective discharge of their duties
  • endeavour always to work in harmony with their colleagues and to encourage less experienced colleagues to attain and apply their own levels of acceptable professional competence.

Fundraising Competence

Full and Certificated members are required to show competence in:

  • establishing and communicating a case for support
  • planning, organising and monitoring the allocation of resources
  • research, analysis and strategy development
  • coping with change and problem solving
  • ability to work with colleagues, suppliers and others to achieve fundraising objectives.

Confidentiality

Members shall:

  • not disclose (except as may be required by statute or law) or make use of information given or obtained in confidence
  • from their employers or clients, the donating public or any other source without prior express consent
  • adhere to the principle that all information created by, or on behalf of, an organisation is the property of an organisation and shall not be transferred or utilised except on behalf of that organisation.

The Fundraising Promise

Members will promote and support the principles of the Fundraising Promise in the course of their professional activities.

The Fundraising Promise can be read on the website of the Fundraising Standards Board. www.fsboard.org.uk

IOF
2. Associate of Fundraising Consultants

Code of Practice

The Association of Fundraising Consultants exists to foster the development and growth of the profession of fundraising consultants, to preserve and enhance fundraising activity, to ensure high professional standards amongst our members, and to promote a true understanding of the role of fundraising.

Fundraising consultants act for not-for-profit organisations in an advisory capacity only and do not directly solicit or receive funds. This Code of Practice reflects the purposes of the Association and describes the standards that AFC members have agreed to observe.

  1. Members and employees and sub-contracted consultants engaged by members agree to abide by this Code of Practice and its complaints procedure, are committed to the ideals of charitable giving and seek to bring credit to the profession through their conduct. Members will reaffirm their compliance with the Code of Practice each year.
  2. Members will make only those claims to experience, qualifications and achievements that can be shown to be genuine and will neither guarantee results nor promise to raise sums that are unrealistic.
  3. Members will acquire clients by fair means only, will not offer inducements to prospective clients or apply undue pressure in order to secure assignments.
  4. Members will serve only those not-for-profit organisations that to the best of their knowledge have aims that are worthy and intentions that are honourable.
  5. Members will promote or employ only those fundraising practices that are not harmful to the public or likely to bring the profession into disrepute.
  6. Employees and sub-contracted consultants engaged by members will have a record of relevant professional experience, and will be managed by experienced practitioners.
  7. Members will deliver professional services based on an agreed letter of appointment that details all the terms of engagement including the service to be provided; the duration of the service; the professional fee and related expenses to be charged; the method of payment, as well as arrangements for review and termination of the appointment.
  8. Professional fees payable for services rendered by members will not be calculated as a percentage of the amount raised, either on a commission or contingency fee basis. This commercial approach is a disincentive to giving, does not properly reflect the value of the service provided and encourages opportunistic and damaging fundraising practices.
  9. Members will not receive remuneration or commission directly or indirectly from suppliers of goods or services to their clients.
  10. Members will honour the confidentiality of information to which they are privy when serving clients.
  11. Members will take care to avoid any conflict of interest in the provision of service to client.