Online Fundraising
Important information about donation law and fundraising online
Crowdfunding your campaign requires use of an online platform that complies with the laws governing political finances.
Fleet is the tailor-made website platform for the Liberal Democrats. It allows party organisations to raise funds on their website in a compliant way.
There is guidance and training about fundraising via Fleet on the Campaign Hub.
You can also contact training@libdems.org.uk for help with training and support@libdems.org.uk for technical assistance.
We still get questions about Crowdfunder, which we trialled the use of previously.
Sadly, this remains under review as some donations were not declared correctly, risking the launch of an investigation by the Electoral Commission.
Therefore we do not actively recommend the use of Crowdfunder.
There are ongoing enquiries with those local parties who used it in a non-compliant way - this has resulted in returned donations, as well as fines.
Fleet already provides the same functionality and pays out more quickly than Crowdfunder.
The non-Fleet option requires additional compliance measures. It is essential that if you do use it, you are aware of these requirements, which are detailed below.
IMPORTANT: It must be ensured that the Treasurer of the local party / group is happy they're able to manage donation reporting in a compliant way.
Please email compliance@libdems.org.uk if you have any questions.
Using only Party approved suppliers ensures we are compliant with both UK GDPR and the laws governing political finances.
The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) determines which donations can and cannot be accepted, and therefore need declaring to the Electoral Commission, the regulator.
The Commission enforces the rules on donations / loans received by a registered political party (e.g. the Liberal Democrats) and its “accounting units” (the constituent state / regional / local parties and AOs / groups).
➔ Your first point of contact should always be the Compliance Team (compliance@libdems.org.uk)
NOTE: The Electoral Commission’s advice is not given with local party / group treasurers in mind - the guidance on their website is largely intended for national treasurers of parties.
