Institute of Fundraising launches access fund to support diversity in sector

The Institute of Fundraising (IoF), has set up an Access Fund to increase and support greater diversity in the sector.

The Access Fund will initially provide free passes to Fundraising Convention 2018. Bursaries for travel and accommodation costs will also be included. The IoF is inviting fundraisers who self-identify as BAME (Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background), LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender), or disabled to apply for the Access Fund by 5pm on 08 June 2018.

The bursaries are the first output from the Expert Advisory Panel on Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, which was appointed in February this year to develop a strategy for the IoF to tackle the lack of diversity in the profession.

The IoF has contributed £5,000 to the fund and is looking to partners and supporters to contribute to it in order to enable more fundraisers from diverse backgrounds to attend Convention.

Sufina Ahmad, chair of the Expert Panel, said:

“As chair of the Expert Panel I am delighted that the IoF has taken the initiative to launch this Access Fund for Convention 2018. 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.”

Amanda Bringans, chair of the IoF, said:

“Supporting the fundraising profession to become more diverse is an absolute priority for me as Chair of the IoF. Fundraising Convention is the key event in the fundraising community’s calendar, and I am delighted that whilst we are still developing our long term strategy, we are also launching this fund to help fundraisers who would otherwise be unable to attend Convention.”