The IoF has been granted permission by the Privy Council to apply for Chartered status.
The IoF is delighted to confirm that the Privy Council has granted permission for us to formally apply for Chartered status and continue our Chartered journey.
This is the next step in a long-term plan for the IoF, which has, for the last 6 years, had a strategic objective, based on consultations with our members, to become a Chartered Institute.
The new status, if granted, will raise the profile and status of fundraising, promoting it as a respected profession with high standards of practice at its heart and which delivers public benefit. Most importantly, it will provide public recognition of the fundraising profession.
Fundraisers have often felt that fundraising is not recognised as a profession, either by the public or the organisations for whom they work. This is changing gradually, but many still feel some people outside the sector don’t see fundraising as a credible career, profession or even a proper paid job.
Indeed, our Expert Panel on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion has highlighted that this issue is probably exacerbated within communities which are currently under-represented in fundraising.
Our Board of Trustees has agreed a draft set of new constitutional documents (Charter, Bye-Laws and Regulations) which we will consult on with our members and the Privy Council, before taking a final version for agreement by our members at our AGM in July. If the consultation goes smoothly, and our members approve the move to become a Chartered body, we hope to make our formal petition to the Privy Council in July. We would hope to hear their decision before the end of this calendar year.
Peter Lewis, chief executive of the Institute of Fundraising, said:
Working towards Chartered status has been a key priority for our members for several years. Now that we are able to continue our journey, I’m excited to consult with them on the detailed proposals before submitting our formal petition to the Privy Council for their decision.
This is a really important step for the Institute, embedding professional standards at the heart of the fundraising community, and securing external recognition for the important role fundraisers play in today’s society raising vital funds to make the world a better place.
Alex Xavier, Director of Individual Membership, Compliance and Professional Development, said:
Having worked for a Chartered membership body in the past, I have seen first-hand the many benefits it can bring. Should we be granted Chartered Status as an Institute, it will give much deserved recognition and credibility to everyone in the profession.
If we are subsequently given permission to award Individual Chartered Status in a few years’ time, this will give our individual members who hold qualifications or equivalent experience the opportunity to apply to become chartered fundraisers – anticipated to be the pinnacle in professional recognition of knowledge, skills and ethical standards in fundraising.
