IoF launches Access Fund for Fundraising Convention

The IoF launches an Access Fund to support and enable a diverse range of fundraisers to develop their skills and experience.

Following the success of its Diversity Access Fund in 2018 the Institute of Fundraising (IoF) has launched a new appeal to the fundraising community which aims to raise £10,000 to fund bursaries for its showcase Fundraising Convention at the Barbican in London this July.

The fund will enable a diverse range of fundraisers to develop their skills and experience by providing bursaries for individuals to attend Fundraising Convention. Successful applicants will receive bursaries for travel and accommodation costs as well as a ticket for one or more days to Convention. The IoF will invite fundraisers who self-identify as BAME (Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background), LGBT+, or disabled to apply from 2nd April 2019.

Last year, thanks to the generosity of the fundraising community, the IoF was able to award bursaries to twenty three people who would have otherwise been unable to attend and contribute to Fundraising Convention.

“Being able to attend Convention was absolutely fantastic and one that I shall remain ever so grateful for. It has done wonders for the charity I work for and ultimately, raised more money to support our beneficiaries.”

– Access Fund bursary recipient 2018

Since the Access Fund was set up by the Expert Advisory Panel on Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, the panel has gone on to establish the #ChangeCollective, a sector movement to improve diversity in fundraising. 

Amanda Bringans, Chair of the IoF, said

Our community currently lacks the real diversity it needs to fulfil its potential to support the causes we all care about. This is not only unacceptable but means that we are missing out on so much talent.  That’s why we are asking for donations to support the Diversity Access Fund, an early step for us to achieve our ambition of a more equal, diverse and inclusive profession.

We have already received many generous donations from the fundraising community and hope that with the support of fundraisers, organisations and partners within the sector, we can raise a further £10,000 so that more people from diverse backgrounds can attend Fundraising Convention.

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