Cost of Fundraising Events
across the UK

# Fundraising Events Accreditation Guide

The fundraising sector in the UK is primarily regulated by the Charity Commission, which oversees how charities conduct their activities, though it does not directly accredit event organisers. However, several trade bodies provide relevant standards and oversight. The Institute of Fundraising (IoF) is the largest professional membership body for fundraisers and sets codes of practice covering ethical fundraising conduct, including events. Additionally, the Professional Fundraising Compliance Association (PFCA) works alongside the IoF and Charity Commission to ensure standards are met. Some fundraising event providers may also hold membership with the Association of Professional Conference Organisers (APCO) or other event management bodies, which verify competence in logistics and delivery. Understanding these bodies matters because accreditation signals that a provider has committed to transparent practices, data protection compliance, and adherence to fundraising regulations under the Charities Act 2011 and GDPR.

To verify a provider's credentials, you can check their membership status directly through the Institute of Fundraising's online directory or request their membership number for confirmation. Legitimate accredited providers will display their accreditation clearly on their website and marketing materials, and reputable bodies such as the IoF publish lists of verified members. It is worth asking prospective providers directly for evidence of their accreditation, their professional indemnity insurance, and references from previous charity clients. This verification matters because accredited providers have undergone vetting, commit to ongoing professional development, and are bound by codes of conduct enforceable through complaints procedures. This protection is especially important for charities, as an unaccredited or negligent event organiser could damage your reputation, breach fundraising regulations, or expose you to financial loss.

Accredited fundraising event providers typically charge 10–20% more than unaccredited competitors, reflecting the costs of maintaining