Like most major Irish charities, the Irish Red Cross raises funds from individuals in many different ways. These include direct mail and face-to-face fundraising.
Face-to-face fundraising is the most cost-effective way of recruiting monthly supporters to the Red Cross. However, we are aware that these fundraising techniques do raise some questions and this page is intended to answer them.
What is face-to-face fundraising?
Face-to-face fundraising is a way to engage members of the public in a conversation about the work of the Red Cross and to ask them to support the work with a regular gift. These conversations can take place on the street or on people's doorsteps.
Why use face-to-face fundraising when it annoys some people?
Put simply, it works. The value of a regular gift via direct debit cannot be overstated. The long-term security of these donations allows us to plan ahead with confidence and to be ready to respond when emergencies occur.
It's a great way to talk to people about what we do and enables us to reach people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to support us. These campaigns also attract a diverse range of supporters, many of whom we have not been able to reach through methods such as mail, radio and television. For example, our street fundraising has led to a rise in the number of younger supporters who are committed to long-term giving.
It is also worth pointing out that this kind of fundraising does not annoy everyone. In fact, some people prefer it as it gives them the opportunity to ask questions about our work and discuss the different ways in which they can donate.
The Irish Red Cross follows the Code of Practice set down by the Irish Fundraising Forum for Direct Recruitment (IFFDR), which regulates face-to-face fundraising. The organisation has a code of conduct that states that the charity must ensure that “excessive forms of pressure/guilt are not used in the conversation with the public” by the face-to-face fundraisers. It also states that “fundraisers must never confuse or mislead the public” and should “terminate the approach in a polite manner at any stage during the course of the approach when asked to do so”. Our fundraisers follow this code.
For more information on face-to-face fundraising, please read the Code of Practice of the Irish Fundraising Forum for Direct Recruitment
Do you teach your fundraisers about your work?
As well as raising money for our ongoing work, our fundraisers share news of our projects with thousands of people in all parts of the country. To help make sure our fundraisers are knowledgeable ambassadors for the Red Cross, we hold frequent training workshops to teach them about our history, ideals and projects. We take pride in the knowledge, enthusiasm and quality of our fundraisers.
How do I recognise a genuine Irish Red Cross fundraiser?
Irish Red Cross fundraisers work all over Ireland throughout the year. We employ external agencies to fundraise on our behalf, because it can be more cost-effective for us. Fundraisers working for these agencies will always carry identification and can be identified by their uniform and the materials they have with them when working.
Our street fundraisers:
• Wear a bright white tabard with a red cross printed on it
• Carry a black leather case containing factsheets and a direct debit form
• Carry an ID card with their name, photograph, employee number and details of the agency the fundraiser works for.
Our door-to-door fundraisers:
• Carry an ID card with their name, photograph, employee number and details of the agency the fundraiser works for
• Wear a white tabard over a smart suit
If you have any concerns about fundraisers in your area, please call Grainne on 01 642 4611 or email fundraising@redcross.ie
Why do you ask for specific amounts of money in your appeals?
Although the Red Cross values donations of any amount, we offer a range of gift levels so people can easily decide how much to give. Many supporters have told us that they prefer to be given guidance about the amount to donate.
The prompt is by no means supposed to pressure people into giving a specific amount. It is ultimately up to the individual to decide how much they would like to give and just a few pounds can make all the difference to someone's life.
Do you monitor your fundraisers’ behaviour?
We monitor our campaigns closely to ensure our representatives adhere to the code of practice as set out by the Irish Fundraising Forum for Direct Recruitment (IFFDR).
The code of practice states that face-to-face fundraisers:
• Should ensure excessive forms of pressure/guilt are not used in the conversation with the public
• Deal sympathetically, courteously and promptly with any questions or complaints in line with IFFDR Complaint Procedure
• Should always terminate the approach in a polite manner at any stage during the course of the approach when asked to do so.
Our fundraisers strive at all times to meet these high standards, and any breaches are addressed immediately.
Are there age limits around who you can fundraise from?
From a legal stance on this we are allowed to call upon donors of any age, however minors (under 18) we are not allowed to sign. We are not permitted to exclude donors over the age of 70 from signing up as a long term donor, as to do otherwise is seen as ageist.
So do you approach elderly people?
However, if someone over the age of 70 answers the door, our fundraisers simply explain that they are in the area to raise awareness of the charity and encourage them to put a one off donation into a charity box should they come across one.
Should the person over 70 be interested in signing with a direct debit, we would ask if they would like a family member or friend present during the presentation to ensure that they understand everything. As well as this, should the pledge form be completed all donors over the age of 70 will receive a welcome call that will re-iterate that they have signed to a monthly donation via direct debit, and confirm that they understand this and are happy to proceed.
Our fundraisers follow this policy in addition to the code of practice.
Who can I contact about your fundraisers?
If you can’t find the answer to your question on our website, or if you have any concerns about the conduct of someone representing the Irish Red Cross, please contact Grainne on 01 642 4611. Alternatively you can send your questions to fundraising@redcross.ie