New National Resource Launched to Support Arts, Culture and Heritage Organisations Navigate Risk and Reputation in Fundraising

Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy launches practical guidance, commissioned by Arts Council England, to support fundraising governance, decision-making and public trust across the arts and cultural sector.

Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy (AFP) has launched a new national resource, Managing Risk and Reputation in Fundraising: Arts, Culture and Heritage Guidance, designed to help arts, culture and heritage organisations navigate the increasingly complex governance, reputational and operational challenges associated with fundraising.

Commissioned and developed with support from Arts Council England and informed by extensive engagement with sector regulators and stakeholders, the resource provides practical guidance, tools and frameworks to help organisations approach fundraising, sponsorship and donor relationships confidently, responsibly and in line with good governance practice.

The launch of the resource comes at a time when arts, culture and heritage organisations are operating in an increasingly challenging environment. As organisations seek to diversify income streams and secure private investment, leaders and trustees are often required to balance financial sustainability with organisational values, public trust, stakeholder expectations and regulatory responsibilities.

Designed for trustees, chief executives, fundraisers and cultural leaders, the guidance brings together practical advice, case studies and model frameworks covering:

• Fundraising and gift acceptance policies;
• Trustee oversight and governance;
• Due diligence and “know your donor” principles;
• Reputational risk assessment;
• Sponsorship, partnerships and corporate volunteering;
• Venue hire and associated reputational considerations;
• Protest management and organisational response frameworks; and
• Responding to campaigning activity.

The guidance has been developed with close reference to existing Charity Commission and Fundraising Regulator guidance and established principles of good governance.

Importantly, the resource is not intended to create new regulatory standards, reinterpret existing guidance or prescribe particular fundraising decisions. Nor does it seek to advise organisations which donors, sponsors or partners they should or should not work with.

Rather, it provides a practical framework to help organisations understand their responsibilities within regulatory guidelines, undertake appropriate due diligence, assess risk proportionately and make well-governed decisions that are consistent with their organisational purpose and for charities within their public benefit obligations.

The resource aims to help organisations strengthen decision-making processes, improve transparency and maintain public trust whilst navigating increasingly complex fundraising and reputational environments.

Michelle Wright, Programme Director, Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy, said:

“Arts, culture and heritage organisations are increasingly navigating complex questions about fundraising, reputation and public trust. This resource is not about telling organisations what decisions they should make. It is about helping them to make informed, transparent and well-governed decisions that are right for their organisation, their purpose and their stakeholders.

By bringing together existing guidance, practical tools and real-world examples, we hope that the resources will give trustees, fundraisers and leaders greater confidence in navigating these issues and documenting their decision-making appropriately.”

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said:

“The ability to make confident, well judged fundraising decisions is increasingly central to an organisation’s long term success. This work will help build that confidence by bringing together insights and practical tools that will support organisations navigating the challenging funding environment. In doing so, the sector as a whole, will grow stronger and more resilient.”

 Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said:

“Resilient cultural organisations are built not only on creativity and clarity of purpose, but on strong and sustainable financial foundations. We're grateful to the cultural leaders, regulators and partners who gave their time to shape this work. As I come to the end of my term as Chair of Arts Council England, I’m encouraged that there is robust fundraising guidance available to support our sector, which plays such an invaluable role in our nation's life.”

Paul Latham, Director of Communications and Policy, Charity Commission for England and Wales said:

“We welcome the new Guide and Toolkit, which reflect existing legal principles and provide practical resources for arts, culture and heritage charities of all sizes. We hope that trustees and others will use it, alongside Charity Commission guidance, to make informed, proportionate decisions that are right for their charity as they navigate a changing funding landscape.”

Gerald Oppenheim, CEO, Fundraising Regulator said:

“We welcome the new guidance from Arts Council England on managing Risks and Reputation in Fundraising. We hope that the advice it contains, along with the practical tools it includes, enables the arts, culture and heritage sector to maintain high standards of fundraising."

The resource is available free of charge and is intended to support organisations of all sizes, from volunteer-led community groups and independent cultural organisations through to major national institutions.

Take a look at the resource here.