The Voluntary Sector Fundraising Conference 2025
Previous Supporters include:
Overview
The voluntary sector has faced a challenging few years, grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. Resilience and fundraising performance have been tested across the board, with both large and small charities needing to show remarkable adaptability to navigate the ongoing economic pressures.
However, 2025 offers a new chapter for UK charities. With a Labour government now in place, there is promise of a renewed focus on fostering a vibrant and effective voluntary sector through increased funding, better regulation, stronger partnerships, and more support for innovation.
Moreover, with new research from the Charity Commission indicating public trust in charities has reached its highest level in a decade, such positive developments could provide the industry with the momentum it needs to rebuild and thrive.
Now is a pivotal time for professionals across the voluntary sphere to seize the opportunity to pivot, embrace agile approaches, learn from one another, and implement innovative strategies to thrive in addressing key priorities and societal challenges.
Join us at The Voluntary Sector Fundraising Conference 2025 to:
- Receive the latest insights and guidance from fundraising experts and charity leaders.
- Engage with high-level keynotes and explore best-practice case studies that tackle key challenges, including:
- enhancing donor engagement, embracing AI and understanding its risks and opportunities
- fostering an inclusive culture of belonging
- making your digital campaigns stand out in the ever-evolving social media landscape.
- Network with senior colleagues from across the sector, share common challenges, and collaborate on effective solutions.
This is your opportunity to learn, connect, and drive meaningful change together.
Get in Touch
Agenda
Online Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Charlotte Sherman, Growing Giving Policy and Partnerships Manager, Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CONFIRMED)
Winning investment in Fundraising
- PESTL analysis of the changing giving landscape and the opportunities to grow giving
- Step by step guide to winning buy-in from colleagues, senior leaders and trustees
- Top tips for writing an impactful case for investment that will inspire leadership to support your projects
Charlotte Sherman, Growing Giving Policy and Partnerships Manager, Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CONFIRMED)
Equitable Funding: Addressing Disparities in Funding for Global Majority Led Organisations
- Understanding the barriers
- The importance of building trust with funders
- Using a partnership approach
- Solutions and call to action
Humma Nizami, CEO, Race Equality Network (CONFIRMED)
Key Supporter Session: The Role Technology Plays in Maximising Volunteer Engagement and Fundraising Potential
Jacqui Gavin, Special Events Volunteer Manager, WaterAid (CONFIRMED)
Sam Bennett, Rosterfy (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Comfort Break
Case Study: Developing a Resilient and Sustainable Fundraising Strategy
- Exploring practical strategies to maximise fundraising efforts with limited resources and capacity challenges
- Forging mutually beneficial relationships with private sector companies
- Identifying and developing sustainable income sources to support your charity’s mission over the long term
- Measuring your fundraising strategy’s effectiveness and success.
Lindsay Tilston Jones, Head of Community, Shelter (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Applying for unrestricted grants: How to write a strong application
- Understanding the misconceptions around fundraising
- How to allocate team time and resource effectively
- Importance and practicality of measuring impact
- The three/five big takeaways for best practice funding applications
Mary Rose Gunn, CEO, The Fore (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Lunch Break
Breakout Networking:
Working Together to Overcome Capacity Constraints in Diversification
This breakout networking session provides the opportunity to discuss the challenges of expanding your charity’s impact amidst limited capacity restraints – whether in terms of resource, time, or money – …
Breakout Networking:
Working Together to Overcome Capacity Constraints in Diversification
This breakout networking session provides the opportunity to discuss the challenges of expanding your charity’s impact amidst limited capacity restraints – whether in terms of resource, time, or money – as you work to implement new diversification strategies for your organisation. Network with peers from a range of organisations as you delve into shared challenges, exchange valuable insights, and uncover collaborative strategies to overcome these obstacles together.
Keynote: Leveraging AI and Generative AI in the Charity Sector: Opportunities and Risks
- Assessing AI’s opportunities from enhancing operational efficiency to creating personalised donor experiences
- Understanding the ethical considerations from data privacy, bias, and the impact on charity jobs
- Diving into real world applications and what we can learn from them
- Forecasting the role of AI in the charity sector in the next five years.
Victoria Lyons, Head of Digital, Dementia UK (CONFIRMED)
Corporate Collaboration: Boosting Fundraising Through Skilled Volunteering
- How aligning your charity’s objectives with corporate expertise can create mutually beneficial partnerships
- Strategies for engaging corporate clients in meaningful volunteering initiatives, especially through governance role
- Real-life examples of how these collaborations have contributed to impactful fundraising and program expansion
Emma Harris, Head of Partnerships Development, Governors for Schools (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Charlotte Sherman, Growing Giving Policy and Partnerships Manager, Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CONFIRMED)
Conference Close
Previous Speakers
Charlotte Sherman
Growing Giving Policy and Partnership Manager
Chartered Institute of Fundraising
Katherine Woods
Head of Corporate Partnerships
Action for Children
Carrie Reiners
Deputy CEO
akt
Liz Haigh-Reeve
CEO & Founder
Fundraising Works
Martin Bisp
Co-Founder and CEO
Empire Fighting Chance
Ed Mayo
Chief Executive
Pilotlight
Testimonials
Really informative and interesting conference, with a great range of experiences and information. I enjoyed the networking sessions and the chance to meet others. Came away with lots of ideas and suggestions of how we can move forward, and links to new organisations I can ask for support and learn from. Thank you!
Hearing from CIoF and the Good Agency has put a real spring in my step to return to work and develop our strategic approach to growing giving. Even just these two speakers made the conference well worth the money!
This was a fantastic, interesting day. I left feeling like I understood the funding environment much better.
Excellent conference. Very professionally delivered with relevant content.
Thank you for a great day. It was very informative and took away lots of valuable learning points.
Brilliant knowledge shared in a timely and clear manner.
Why You Should Attend
- Cutting-Edge Insights: Stay ahead with expert keynotes and gain evidence based insights on adapting to shifting donor behaviours, navigating new guidelines, and understanding the latest political influences impacting fundraising
- Proven Success Stories: Dive into impactful case studies showcasing successful resilient fundraising strategies, innovative use of AI, transparent reporting, and leading through transformative challenges
- Powerful Networking: Connect with senior leaders and like-minded professionals across the voluntary sector to exchange ideas, form partnerships, and spark new opportunities
- Boost Your Professional Growth: Earn 8 CPD hours to enhance your skills and fulfill your annual professional development requirements.
GE Insights
Your conference package also includes access to GE Insights, our cross-sector learning resource of case study focused videos, articles, lived experiences and more. Gain unlimited access to our online platform when you purchase your conference ticket.
Who Should Attend?
This conference is designed for charity leaders, fundraising professionals, trustees, and voluntary sector managers dedicated to enhancing their organisation’s fundraising capabilities and impact.
Whether you represent a small grassroots charity or a large national organisation, this event is crucial for anyone involved in driving strategic growth, donor engagement, and innovation in the voluntary sector including:
| Job Title Examples | Organisation Type Examples |
| Heads/Directors of Fundraising | Charities |
| Heads of Marketing | Voluntary Sector Organisations |
| Commercial Directors | Social Enterprises |
| Marketing Campaign Managers | Associations / Societies |
| Strategic Development Managers | Conservation Trusts |
| Heads of Donor Fundraising | |
| Partnerships Managers | |
| Finance Managers |
Pricing
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Sponsorship Options
Raise your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
