The idea of a Donor Code of Conduct might sound like a niche policy discussion. It is, after all, a fairly new initiative championed by the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIOF) and brought to you by Rogare – the fundraising think tank.
But when you see what sits behind it, and what it could do for fundraisers and organisations alike, it becomes clear that this is one of those quiet changes with the potential to shape the future of our sector for the better.
At Fundraiser In The Room, we have long argued that fundraising cannot survive on aspiration alone. It needs systems, structures, values, and frankly, norms that protect the people doing the work.
The Donor Code of Conduct sits right at that intersection: it is not just about good behaviour, it is about organisational duty of care, ethical clarity, and sector-wide expectations.
What the Donor Code of Conduct is trying to fix
The Donor Code of Conduct is a framework that charities are being encouraged to adopt, and even pledge to implement, as part of a broader effort to safeguard fundraisers from inappropriate behaviour by donors and supporters.
This is not a theoretical problem. In a survey run by Rogare in partnership with CIOF, more than half of fundraisers surveyed reported having experienced behaviour from a donor or supporter that made them feel physically or mentally unsafe.
That does not mean occasional awkward conversations – the range of behaviours reported includes hostile treatment, inappropriate comments, and in some cases even harassment and assault.
These are not isolated anecdotes. They are widespread enough to demand systemic responses, not just individual coping strategies.
The Donor Code of Conduct offers one part of that response. It is a set of expectations for how donors should behave toward the people they support, and it helps organisations articulate that behaviour clearly. It goes beyond polite wishes: it sets standards and gives organisations a basis for action when those standards are not met.
Why this matters for fundraising systems
At Fundraiser In The Room, we talk a lot about systems. That is not corporate jargon here. Systems are the invisible structures that shape everyday decisions, cultural norms, and lived experiences across an organisation. When a system fails to protect its people, you see the impact in burnout, in talent leaving the sector, in leaders second-guessing their decisions, and in the quiet erosion of confidence that great fundraisers depend on.
A Donor Code of Conduct is a systemic tool. It makes something that was previously assumed or ignored, explicit. It asks organisations to think about how they engage supporters. It asks leaders to put in writing what behaviour is acceptable and what is not. It gives fundraisers clarity and backing, not just from their line manager, but from the organisation as a whole.
It also aligns with the strategic and structural thinking we champion at Fundraiser In The Room: the idea that real progress comes when we design, diagnose, and embed the right systems, not when we hope individuals endure harder conditions.
Rogare’s role and why we stand with it
Rogare’s work is often ahead of the curve. This project emerged from the think tank’s ongoing research and its Blueprint for Dismantling Patriarchal Structures in Fundraising — a piece of work that challenges taken-for-granted power dynamics, norms, and professional patterns in our sector. One recommendation from that work was a Donor Code of Conduct that makes explicit the expectations and protections fundraisers should have when interacting with supporters.
The fact that CIOF has taken this up, created resources and examples, and is calling on charities across the UK to sign a pledge, is a signal that this is becoming more than an academic conversation. It is becoming a sector shift.
We support this work not because it is fashionable, but because it is necessary. Fundraisers should not be left to navigate inappropriate behaviour on their own. They should not have to guess what is acceptable, or worse, feel that speaking up might jeopardise income goals. They deserve systems that protect them.
What a code does in practice
The Donor Code of Conduct is not a one-size-fits-all contract. It is a framework that organisations can adapt in ways that fit their mission, culture, and supporter base. Some will deploy it as part of gift terms and conditions, others will include it in donor onboarding materials, and others will use it as a backdrop to internal policies and training.
What unites these approaches is a shared principle: that donors and supporters are part of the ecosystem, and that ecosystem should be safe, respectful, and aligned with the organisation’s values.
As one early adopter noted, simply having a code in place has already made fundraisers feel more confident and empowered. That is worth noting. A code is not a panacea, but it can change the rules of the road for everyday interactions, so fundraisers feel backed by their organisation and its stated values.
Where this fits in the bigger picture
This conversation is not about disciplining donors. It is about recognising that fundraising is relational. It involves power dynamics. And until now, most of the structural attention in the sector has been on donors giving money, not on how they behave toward the professionals who steward that relationship.
That imbalance has consequences. It affects morale, recruitment, retention, decision making, confidence, and ultimately, the sustainability of income itself. Fixing it means designing better systems.
Systems that protect people, clarify expectations, and align with values we claim to hold dear. That is the heart of why the Donor Code of Conduct matters.
Fundraiser In The Room’s commitment
As an associate member of Rogare, we are proud to stand behind this initiative.
We believe in it not because it is easy or painless, but because it speaks to the heart of what a healthy fundraising system must do: put people at the centre and give them structures that support their best work.
If you are interested in understanding more about the Code, how you could implement something similar in your organisation, or how this fits into a broader fundraising system diagnosis or design, we’d be glad to talk further.
Fundraising is not just about money. It is about dignity, respect, and the relationships that make impact possible.