Fundraising safely and responsibly

Thank you for choosing to fundraise for RABI. Your support helps us provide practical, emotional and financial support to farming people across England and Wales.

We want your fundraising experience to be enjoyable, safe and successful. As a registered charity with the Fundraising Regulator, RABI follows the Code of Fundraising Practice. The guidance below will help you plan and run your activity responsibly and in line with relevant legal requirements and good practice.

Please contact the RABI Fundraising Team if you need advice at any stage.

Before your event

Good planning will help your activity run safely and smoothly. Before your event:

• Complete a risk assessment that is appropriate for the size and nature of your activity.
• Obtain permission from the venue owner or landowner where required.
• Check that you have appropriate insurance in place. RABI’s insurance generally only covers activities organised directly by the charity.
• Follow relevant food safety and hygiene requirements if food will be prepared, handled or served.
• Consider accessibility so that as many people as possible can take part safely.
• Make appropriate arrangements for the supervision and safeguarding of children and young people.
• Plan for emergencies and make sure everyone involved understands their responsibilities.

The level of planning and risk assessment should be proportionate to the scale and risks of the event.

Collecting and handling donations

Please help us keep your fundraising transparent and secure by:

• Keeping clear and accurate records of the money raised.
• Keeping cash and donations secure and separate from your personal money.
• Making cheques payable to RABI.
• Sending the money raised to RABI as soon as reasonably possible after your event.
• Returning any completed sponsorship forms where applicable.

Please do not deduct costs from the money raised unless this has been agreed with RABI in advance and has been clearly explained to donors.

Looking after personal information

If you collect personal information, such as names, email addresses or postal addresses:

• Explain why you are collecting it and how it will be used.
• Collect only the information you need.
• Keep it accurate and secure.
• Do not share it without an appropriate reason or permission.
• Keep it only for as long as it is needed.
• Dispose of it securely when it is no longer required.
• Send completed sponsorship forms and Gift Aid information to RABI promptly.

Please do not use information collected through your fundraising to contact people for another purpose unless you have an appropriate lawful basis to do so.

Data-protection and electronic-marketing rules changed in 2026, including new requirements relating to charitable marketing and complaints. Any planned follow-up marketing should therefore be handled through RABI rather than independently by the fundraiser.

Raffles, lotteries and licences

Different rules apply depending on how and where a raffle or lottery is run.

An incidental raffle can usually be held without a licence when:

• It forms part of another event and is not the main purpose of that event.
• Physical tickets are sold only at the event while it is taking place.
• The raffle raises money for charitable purposes rather than private gain.
• The draw takes place during or after the event.

Tickets for an incidental raffle must not be sold online or before the event. There are also limits on the amount that can be taken from ticket income to cover expenses and prizes.

Activities involving advance ticket sales, online sales or raffles held across several events may require registration with a local authority or a licence from the Gambling Commission. Please seek advice before promoting or selling tickets.

Depending on your plans, you may also need permission or a licence for:

• Selling alcohol.
• Live or recorded music.
• Street collections.
• Road closures or use of a public highway.
• Certain types of entertainment.
• Preparing or selling food.

Please check the requirements with your local authority and contact the RABI Fundraising Team before proceeding if you are unsure.

If your event is cancelled

If an event cannot go ahead, money paid specifically for tickets or participation should normally be refunded.

Donations may need to be treated differently depending on what donors were told when they contributed. Please keep clear records and contact RABI before transferring or reallocating any money raised for a cancelled activity.

Where a supporter chooses not to accept a refund, the money may be donated to RABI with their agreement.

Promoting your fundraising

We can provide fundraising resources and guidance to help you promote your activity clearly and consistently.

Please describe your activity as being “in aid of RABI” or “in support of RABI” unless RABI has confirmed that it is an officially organised charity event.

Do not suggest that RABI is organising, managing or accepting responsibility for your activity unless this has been agreed in writing.

Please contact us before creating materials that use the RABI name or logo. We may be able to provide approved posters, logos and other fundraising materials.

If you are speaking to a newspaper, radio station or other media outlet, we can provide key information about RABI and guidance to support your interview.

Concerns and complaints

We hope everyone involved has a positive experience of fundraising in support of RABI.

Anyone who wishes to raise a concern or complaint can read our Fundraising Complaints Policy, which explains how concerns are considered and responded to.

Need advice?

The RABI Fundraising Team can provide guidance before and during your fundraising activity.

Email: fundraising@rabi.org.uk

Useful links

Health and Safety Executive
Charity Commission
RoSPA
Fundraising Regulator