Fundraisers are being invited to apply for a new diversity access fund, set up by the Institute of Fundraising to support and enable a diverse range of fundraisers to develop their skills and experience.
The IoF is inviting fundraisers who self-identify as BAME, LGBT+, or disabled to apply for the access fund by 5pm on 8 June 2018.
An initial £5,000 has been invested into the fund by the IoF, but the institute is now looking for partners and supporters to join the initiative by contributing to the fund in order to enable more fundraisers from diverse backgrounds to attend the convention.
The fund will initially provide free passes to the IoF’s Fundraising Convention 2018, with bursaries for travel and accommodation costs included.
These are the first output from the Expert Advisory Panel on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, who were appointed in February to develop a strategy for the IoF to tackle the lack of diversity in the profession.
Commenting on the fund, chair of the expert panel, Sufina Ahmad said: “Whilst our main role is to develop a long-term strategy for the IoF to improve the diversity and inclusiveness of the fundraising profession, we believe it is important that the IoF launches this fund to enable more fundraisers from diverse communities to attend convention.”
IoF chief executive Peter Lewis added that while the fund has been able to launch with £5k, the IoF would like to “double the impact of the fund”.
“I would ask all our very committed corporate partners, and our members more widely, to come together to match our £5k, and create a £10k fund for Convention in 2018.
“A £500 gift to the fund will cover a one day pass, travel and accommodation costs. £1k will cover a 3 day pass, travel and accommodation.”
For more information on the eligibility criteria and application process, please see the Fundraising Convention website here.
