IoF launches £10,000 appeal to improve diversity at 2019 Fundraising Convention

The Institute of Fundraising (IoF) has launched an appeal for the second year to fund bursaries for its Fundraising Convention in London this July.

The IoF is again asking the fundraising community for its support, and hopes to raise £10,000 for the bursaries, which are aimed at enabling a more diverse range of fundraisers to attend the Convention. It will invite fundraisers who self-identify as BAME (Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background), LGBT+, or disabled to apply from 2 April.

Successful applicants will receive bursaries for travel and accommodation costs as well as a ticket for one or more days at the Convention.

Last year, the IoF was able to award bursaries to 23 people through the Diversity Access Fund, who would have otherwise been unable to attend and contribute to Fundraising Convention. This year it hopes to fund 50 bursaries.

The Diversity Access Fund was set up by the IoF’s Expert Advisory Panel on Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, which has since established the #ChangeCollective: a sector movement aimed at improving 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.”

Early bird tickets for the Convention are available until 17:00 on 1 May.