Door-to-door fundraising

It is important to make sure the correct permissions are in place before carrying out collections. The relevant licensing authority is usually the local authority and/or the police. For more information on the regulations that apply and the standards set for door-to-door fundraising, go to the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice.

Some charities have National Exemption Orders which are issued by the Cabinet Office and mean they do not need to apply for individual licences to do door-to-door fundraising (although they are required to notify and report on fundraising activity).  

• Reasonable steps are taken to ensure collectors are fit and proper persons to collect
• All collectors are 16 years of age or over (In Northern Ireland, youth organisations can have collectors aged 12 or over if approved by DSD)
• Collectors follow their legal obligation

Effective training of all those engaged in public collections is critical in ensuring that all their activity follows the rules in place and delivers a high standard of fundraising for members of the public. Paid staff of fundraising organisations, including recruiters of volunteers, or third party agencies responsible for organising collections require a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities and clear guidance to ensure they work at all times within current legislation.

Training ought to be undertaken by an informed member of staff on a group or individual basis and be supported by a comprehensive reference manual. It is good practice for all organisers to be advised of any changes to legislation or procedures at the earliest opportunity.

• Details of collections legislation relevant to their work
• A clear definition of their role and the extent of their responsibility and authority
• How to plan a collection on a geographical basis and as an annual or rolling programme
• The importance and necessity of appropriate contact with other relevant bodies e.g. other charities, police, local authorities, banks, local press
• Where appropriate, the recruitment, training, monitoring and payment of others engaged in house-to-house collections, e.g. recruiters
• Who to approach as potential volunteers and how to approach them, in particular the information and instructions to be given to volunteers
• Recording of collector details
• Personalised authorisation certificates and badges to collectors and the arrangements for their return
• Recording of the collection materials issued to each collector
• Arrangements for the receipt of income
• Recording of the receipt of income which should ultimately provide information for statutory returns
• How to deal with queries from the general public

It is important that all collectors are aware of and follow their legal responsibilities, and it is preferable to arrange face-to-face meetings with potential collectors. However, it is also advisable for all collectors to receive written instructions as to how to undertake their collection and the procedures to be followed when the collection is complete.

• How to conduct the collection
• A contact name and address and a telephone number in case of queries or emergency
• The exact area in which the collection is to take place and that they can only collect in that area
• The specific dates and times the collection is to take place and that they must only collect in that period and no later than 9pm
• How to use the materials supplied, and emphasis that it is essential they carry a signed and dated Certificate of Authority, wear their signed collector’s badge and only accept sealed envelopes or donations made directly into a sealed collecting tin when collecting money
• What to do with the items collected
• Arrangements for the return of all unused materials and badges of authority after the collection

Where collectors intend to have direct contact with the public, they should be given sufficient information on both the work of the fundraising organisation and the collection to enable them to answer reasonable questions from householders or be able to direct them to where they can find out more information.

All collectors must carry and display an identity badge and Certificate of Authority. Collectors should be courteous at all times and only collect at the times agreed. Where collection envelopes or sacks are delivered through letterboxes, it is good practice for these to be fully pushed through the letterbox, and every effort should be made to collect unused materials.

It is good practice for collectors to avoid walking on householders’ gardens and ensure gates to properties are closed where appropriate. Finally, fundraisers should only knock the front door or main entrance to a house (usually the entrance closest to, or most directly accessible from, a street), unless directed to do otherwise by a resident.