Code of Conduct
Download a PDF of our Code of Conduct here.
Fundraising Ireland is an Irish professional body that seeks to represent the concerns of professional fundraisers across the country. Its purpose is to promote the highest standards of fundraising, and to support and develop the knowledge and standards of all those who are engaged in fundraising activities.
Members of Fundraising Ireland should be champions and promoters of fundraising as a profession. They should maintain the highest standards of fundraising, engage with Fundraising Ireland’s development, commit to its mission and conduct themselves in a professional manner as members of the fundraising community.
All members of Fundraising Ireland are required, as a condition of membership, to abide by the following Code of Conduct in every aspect of their professional life. It is the duty of all members to assist Fundraising Ireland in implementing and enforcing the Code, and they will be supported by Fundraising Ireland in doing so.
Infringement or violation of the Code may lead to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion from membership of Fundraising Ireland.
Professional Conduct
All members of Fundraising Ireland undertake to:
- Conduct themselves at all time with complete integrity, honesty and trustworthiness.
- Respect the dignity of their profession and ensure that their actions enhance the reputation of themselves, the profession of fundraising and Fundraising Ireland.
- Act according to the highest standards and visions of their organisation, profession and conscience.
- Advocate within their organisations for adherence to all applicable laws and regulations.
- 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 law in relation to their professional activities, both in letter and in spirit.
- Advocate within their organisations for compliance with the law in relation 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.
- 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 Fundraising Ireland 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.
- Be forthcoming and truthful about their professional experience and qualifications.
- Seek to ensure that all who work with them have appropriate levels of competence and training for the effective discharge of their duties.
Fundraising Competence
- Full members are required to show competence in:
- Establishing and communicating an effective case for support.
- Organising and monitoring the allocation of resources.
- Planning, 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 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.
