There are no legal provisions in Norway that directly regulate how a fundraiser should be conducted. Charity Monitoring Norway is a nonprofit foundation that ensures fundraising activities are conducted responsibly and that the money goes toward the stated purpose.

In practice, this is done through the list of approved organizations. Through the Approved List, anyone who wishes to do so can gain insight into the organization.

Most fundraising activities carried out in Norway—whether by large organizations or smaller individual fundraisers—are legitimate and honest, but there are also some questionable activities. Charity Monitoring Norway is the only organization in Norway that monitors fundraising activities.

See the Articles of Incorporation of Innsamlingskontrollen

Approved Organizations
Transparency is a requirement and helps ensure greater peace of mind for donors.

Accredited organizations commit to undergoing external audits and adhering to specific accounting rules and ethical guidelines for fundraising.

Approved organizations commit to maintaining a Fundraising Efficiency of at least 65%. Simply put, the organization cannot spend more than 35 kroner to raise 100 kroner. The Fundraising Efficiency is calculated based on a 5-year average.

Each year, Charity Monitoring Norway reviews the organizations’ financial statements, annual reports, and audit reports. In some cases, we also conduct an expanded review of the financial statements and projects of approved organizations.

Under “Approved Organizations” (formerly the Fundraising Registry), relevant information regarding financial and administrative matters is posted. In addition to the annual report, financial statements, the board’s report, and information about the board, key figures are published that provide a clear picture of the organization’s operations.

Organizations wishing to apply for NRK’s TV fundraiser must be approved by Charity Monitoring Norway. The same applies to Operation Dagsverk. Norad also recommends that organizations wishing to apply for a project agreement be approved by Charity Monitoring Norway.

To be approved, organizations must apply for approval. An approval fee of 4,000 NOK is charged, after which approved organizations pay an annual fee based on their annual revenue.

Read more about approval here

The “OBS” List
One of the purposes of the Fundraising Oversight Authority is to raise awareness among donors. This also includes warning against unscrupulous organizations. In line with this, we have established an “OBS” list of organizations about which negative information of varying degrees has come to light. We have requested that organizations included on the list submit their financial statements and other information regarding financial and administrative matters. The organizations have been thoroughly informed of the reason for this request.

It is specified that a failure to respond or a refusal to provide information is considered a clear indication that an organization is operating in a manner that does not meet the basic requirements that should apply to fundraisers. Transparency is essential for building trust and confidence in the relationship with donors. This applies to both financial matters and organizational and governance issues.

Requests for access to information about organizations that raise funds are made to safeguard donors’ contributions, not to promote IK’s accreditation program. We request access to information from a large number of organizations, and only a small fraction of these are included on the OBS list. Submitted financial statements will be reviewed by Charity Monitoring Norway, but this will not result in any certification or costs for the organization. There are specific terms and conditions for certification, and an application for certification must be voluntary.

Read more about the OBS list here

Charity Monitoring Norway is a member of Charity Monitoring Worldwide (CMW). CMW is a supranational body that brings together national foundations and fundraising oversight bodies under a single umbrella. Only such an organization can establish guidelines and ethical standards for fundraising campaigns with a global reach.

The ICFO was established in Amsterdam in 1989 as a monitoring body for fundraising organizations within the EU. It quickly expanded to include national oversight foundations and monitoring bodies from around the world.

The organization was originally called the “International Committee of Fundraising Organizations (ICFO),” but changed its name to Charity Monitoring Worldwide in 2023.

Charity Monitoring Norway is a member of Transparency International Norway. As a member of Transparency International Norway, Charity Monitoring Norway is committed to practicing zero tolerance for all forms of corruption and to working to implement values, ethical guidelines, and anti-corruption programs that cover the entire organization.

Charity Monitoring Norway also collaborates with the Consumer Authority, the Lottery and Foundation Authority, the Norwegian Fundraising Council, Norad, and the Police Security Service (PST).