FIA Releases Draft Standards for Comment
2 June 2008 at 12:23 pm
The Fundraising Institute – Australia (FIA) has released two draft standards around electronic fundraising and workplace giving for public consultation.
Professional fundraising needs to be driven by the highest standard of practice in order to protect the reputation of charities and to ensure public maintain their trust and confidence in the sector.
The draft Standard of Electronic Fundraising Practice addresses the relatively new but rapidly growing field of internet and SMS fundraising.
The FIA says at this stage, electronic fundraising is uncharted territory in terms of regulation and best practice, and the draft Standard is the first of its kind developed for Australian charities.
It says the introduction of new technologies to the Not for Profit sector brings with it new challenges. The draft Standard addresses issues such as donor privacy and financial management in an electronic environment, working with electronic fundraising service providers and SMS fundraising practice. The draft Standard aims both to provide best practice guidelines and to assist organisations and fundraisers in planning and managing effective, transparent and successful electronic fundraising activities
The draft Standard of Workplace Giving Fundraising Practice aims to both regulate and guide FIA members when establishing or maintaining workplace giving or matched giving fundraising program.
The FIA says workplace giving programs require fundraisers and organisations to work closely with donors and with businesses, and the draft Standard addresses both operational and ethical issues fundraisers may encounter, such as information disclosure, financial management and contractual arrangements.
If you would like to contribute in the development of the draft Standards of Fundraising Practice, please submit your comments in writing to Stephanie Wong, Policy and Standards Administrative Officer at swong@fia.org.au or PO Box 642, Chatswood 2057 by 23 June 2008.
Copies of both Standards can be found at www.fia.org.au under Principles and Standards of Fundraising Practice.
