UK fundraising sector vows to fight climate change
11 October 2019 at 4:29 pm
The Institute of Fundraising says all charities have a responsibility to deliver change
Fundraising charities in the UK are being encouraged to refuse donations and step away from partnerships when they have environmental concerns, as part of a sector-wide plan to tackle the climate emergency.
The Institute of Fundraising – the professional membership body for UK fundraising – sent a letter to members this week urging charities to consider the climate emergency in all aspects of their work.
After consulting with members, the IoF board of trustees approved a set of eight commitments for the institute to address the climate crisis.
These commitments include offering more support to members refusing donations or partnerships when they have environmental concerns, and developing resources to help fundraisers improve their environmental impact.
IoF CEO Peter Lewis said while the institute had been reducing its own environmental impact over the past few years, more needed to be done.
He said all charities had a responsibility to deliver change.
“Whether it’s in the choices we make on how we fundraise, the donations we accept or refuse, or through the engagement we have with millions of people who support and donate to charities, we can be part of the change that’s needed,” Lewis said.
“Each of our solutions might be different but one thing is clear: business as usual is not an option.”
The IoF will establish a task group which will consult with members and suppliers to guide them on policy changes and action that can be taken.
It will also work with the fundraising regulator to review any environmental-related changes needed to the Code of Fundraising Practice.
The full letter can be seen here.
