How We Work.
As a voluntary, self-regulatory association, PFFA provides tools, guidance, and coordination support to promote ethical, transparent, and community-aligned fundraising practices, many of which are also available to non-members and the wider public.
Standards & Self-
Regulation
PFFA standards and guidelines are developed collaboratively by member organizations and approved through a majority vote, reflecting shared expertise and real-world experience across the sector.
PFFA serves as a neutral administrator, maintaining these guidelines and supporting their consistent interpretation and application. PFFA members voluntarily adhere to these shared standards, which form the foundation of the Association’s work.
Complaint reviews include notice of the complaint, an opportunity to respond, and evaluation based on objective criteria.
Location & Public Space Management
PFFA provides tools and administrative support to improve visibility, reduce congestion, and support safe, accessible use of shared public environments.
Members indicate anticipated activity through a shared scheduling tool designed to support balanced use of space, reduce clustering, and improve the overall public experience.
PFFA also works with local businesses and community stakeholders, providing schedules and planning tools that give visibility into when and where fundraising activity is expected. This helps businesses understand activity taking place in nearby public spaces and provides an opportunity to raise questions or concerns.
These tools support visibility, planning, and coordination in shared environments. They do not assign locations or restrict independent decision-making, but instead enable organizations and stakeholders to plan activity in a way that reduces overlap and supports community needs.
The Tools
- Automated Territory Management System (ATMS)
- Site grids and scheduling tools
- Communication support across participating organizations
- Public-facing schedules and planning tools for community stakeholders
Designed To
- Reduce overcrowding and clustering of activity
- Support safe and accessible public spaces
- Maintain ADA pathways and right-of-way access
- Keep entrances, walkways, and egress points clear
- Improve visibility and planning for businesses and community stakeholders
Donor Protection & Public Transparency
We promote practices that support informed giving and public confidence.
- Clear identification & disclosure practices
- Respectful, non-aggressive engagement
- Responsible handling of donor information
Guard the Good™
A public-facing resource that promotes transparency by providing individuals, retailers, and communities with access to PFFA-registered information about participating fundraising activity, available to all, regardless of membership.
- Visibility into fundraising campaigns registered with the PFFA
- Verification resources for informational purposes
- Distinction between PFFA-recognized and activity that has not been registered with the PFFA
- A resource for businesses, municipalities, and the public to confirm all publicly available information without extensive research on PFFA-registered campaigns
Fundraising activity conducted by organizations that are not registered with PFFA may still be lawful and legitimate.
Sector Education & Benchmarking
We facilitate shared learning and access to aggregated, non-sensitive information.
- Work Groups & collaborative forums
- Research, surveys & benchmarking insights
- Best practice guidance
Advocacy & Public Engagement
We support public understanding and constructive engagement around face-to-face fundraising.
- Educational resources for stakeholders
- General advocacy for ethical practices
- Public-facing communications
Member Support & Sector Response
We provide tools and resources that support day-to-day fundraising operations, as well as communication and guidance during sector-wide emergencies and public safety events.
For the purposes of this work, sector-wide issues include events that may impact the safety or legality of face-to-face fundraising activity across one or more regions, such as curfews, natural disasters, public health emergencies, demonstrations, or government-imposed restrictions.
In these situations, PFFA supports the sector by:
- Sharing timely information and guidance with participating organizations and teams in the field
- Providing updates related to curfews, emergency conditions, and public safety requirements
- Ensuring communication across stakeholders to support an informed response
- Assisting, where appropriate, in locating teams or supporting communication during emergency situations
These efforts are intended to support safety, clarity, and responsible decision-making, while member organizations continue to independently manage their operations and compliance with applicable laws.
PFFA does not set prices, control market entry, restrict competition, or require exclusive participation.
What membership means
A commitment to follow the PFFA Code of Conduct and to share relevant operational information, to support PFFA's mission of safe, transparent, and community-aligned fundraising practices.
Why coordination exists
Systems are designed to reduce confusion, support community experience, and protect public right-of-way and access considerations, never to limit participation.
Open to all
Access to these tools and information are made available to non-member organizations and public stakeholders, supporting transparency across the broader community.
