The Voluntary Sector Fundraising Conference 2027
Previous Supporters Include
Overview
Fundraising is becoming increasingly complex for voluntary sector organisations. Donor expectations are evolving, competition for support is growing, and organisations must balance income generation with rising operational pressures. At the same time, economic uncertainty and shifting giving behaviours are creating new challenges for fundraising teams.
With HMRC increasing grant funding to £11 million for voluntary and community sector organisations between 2027 and 2030 (Gov UK, 2026), new funding opportunities are emerging across the sector. At the same time, charitable donations fell from £15.4 billion in 2024 to £14 billion in 2025 (CAF UK, 2026), increasing pressure to diversify fundraising approaches. To build sustainable income, organisations must adapt. This means understanding donor behaviour, diversifying income streams, embracing innovation, and developing stronger partnerships that support long-term growth. Those that respond effectively will be better placed to strengthen supporter relationships and unlock new fundraising opportunities.
The Voluntary Sector Fundraising Conference 2027 brings together fundraising professionals, charity leaders and sector experts to explore the practical strategies needed to thrive in today’s evolving fundraising environment. Through case studies, practical insights and expert-led discussion, attendees will learn how organisations are driving donor engagement, maximising income across fundraising channels, and responding to emerging trends to build more resilient and sustainable fundraising programmes.
Agenda
Online Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Dame Julia Unwin, Chair, Charity Commission England and Wales (invited)
Keynote: Surviving the Squeeze: Navigating the Donor Decline and Donor Behaviour
- Gain a deeper understanding of the donor affordability landscape and the factors driving reduced giving
- Analysing donor behaviour in the current giving climate, including the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and how giving patterns differ across donor groups
- Examining the key challenges facing the voluntary sector and learn practical approaches to sustaining income during periods of donor uncertainty and financial pressure
Claire Stanley, Director of Policy and Communications, Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Strengthening Relationships for Long-Term Success: Building Trust, Retaining and Appreciating Donors
- Gain practical guidance on strengthening donor communications and navigating the supporter journey to build trust and long-term loyalty
- Explore proven approaches to improve retention and engagement, helping to maximise supporter interest
- Learn how to build trust and strengthen supporter relationships through meaningful recognition and appreciation, ensuring continued engagement and support
- Best practice takeaways to deepen commitment, increase participation and build a more resilient supporter base
Caroline Siarkiewicz, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Charities Aid Foundation (invited)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Trusts, Foundations and the Funding Landscape Ahead
- Examine how trust and foundation priorities are evolving in response to competitive fundraising circles and overwhelming demand
- Explore how foundations are adapting their grant-making strategies and what this means for charities seeking funding
- Decipher what funders are looking for in grant applications and how to develop stronger, more compelling proposals
- Guidance on the grant proposal application process for funding, highlighting practical tips to strengthen grant applications, align with funder priorities, and improve funding success rates
Carol Mack OBE, Chief Executive, Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Major Giving in a Changing Philanthropic Landscape: HNWI Fundraising Programmes
- Gain practical guidance on building and managing relationships with high-net-worth individuals to secure significant philanthropic support
- Exploring effective strategies for identifying and engaging prospective major donors in an increasingly competitive fundraising environment
- Examine how leading charity’s structure their major giving programmes that strengthen donor relationships and encourage deeper engagement and support
Nick Grant, Executive Director, Strategy and Philanthropy, Cancer Research UK (invited)
Keynote: Growing Income in a Declining Market: Strategies That Still Deliver Results
- Gain practical strategies for maintaining fundraising performance during periods of reduced donor income, drawing on lessons from a high-performing fundraising organisation
- Exploring how Great Ormond Street Hospital’s campaigns use storytelling and supporter connection to drive engagement and fundraising success
- Learn how to identify opportunities for growth by adapting fundraising approaches to changing donor behaviour and expectations
Liz Tait, Director of Fundraising, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) (invited)
Questions and Answers
Lunch Break
Case Study: The Future of Fundraising: Gaming and Digital Engagement
- Examine the changing landscape of fundraising and how gaming, live streaming, and digital communities are reshaping how charities reach and engage new audiences
- Explore how emerging digital platforms are being used to attract new supporters and strengthen long-term engagement
- Understand how interactive digital experiences can drive awareness, participation, and fundraising income
- Learn from UNICEF UK’s ‘Play for Tomorrow’ campaign and the strategies used to deliver successful digital fundraising engagement within the gaming space
Ali Habib, Gaming lead, UNICEF UK (invited)
Case Study: Using AI to Enhance Fundraising and Engagement
- Explore how AI can be used in fundraising, from campaign delivery to donor analysis, to improve decision-making and strengthen impact
- Gain a clear understanding of how AI tools can strengthen fundraising performance and support more effective planning and delivery
- Learn how charities are successfully applying AI to increase engagement and enhance supporter experiences
- Discuss how to use AI responsibly in fundraising, including ethical considerations, risks, and best practice guidelines
Emily Casson, Head of Digital, The Salvation Army UK (invited)
Questions and Answers
Breakout Networking: Building Resilient Income Streams During Economic Uncertainty
Join our breakout networking to reflect on the pressures created by reduced donor income, reduced public interest, and the cost-of-living crisis. Network with senior professionals to share common challenges and adaptive strategies that have proven successful in navigating the challenging decline in donor engagement.
Comfort Break
Case Study: Partnerships with Purpose: Unlocking Corporate Support
- Exploring how charities can build strategic corporate partnerships to drive funding beyond transactional donations
- Pinpointing what makes corporate partnerships sustainable and mutually beneficial over time
- Gain practical insights into how organisations work with strategic corporate partners and how this drives success in funding, reaching audiences, or supporting their cause
- Identifying the impact of corporate partnerships, and how this helps to achieve organisational goals
Holly Gray, Head of Partnerships, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Creating a Thriving Community Fundraising Programme
- Exploring how to build and sustain strong community fundraising networks that drive long-term supporters
- Gain insights into motivating supporters through events, peer-to-peer fundraising, and local engagement
- Learn from successful community fundraising models and the strategies behind their growth and sustainability
- Best practice takeaways on fundraising tips and tools to increase participation and strengthen community-led fundraising
Sonia Sudhakar, Chief Engagement Officer, Macmillan Cancer Support (invited)
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Dame Julia Unwin, Chair, Charity Commission England and Wales (invited)
Conference Close
Get in Touch
Previous Speakers Include
Katie Docherty
Chief Executive
Chartered Institute of Fundraising
Haseeb Shabbir
Reader in Voluntary Sector Management
Centre for Charity Effectiveness, Bayes Business School
Laura Yonish
Senior Manager
Laura Yonish, Senior Manager, Charities Aid Foundation
Lindsay Tilston Jones
Head of Community
Shelter
Sue Roughton
Co-founder & Volunteer
Purple Heart Wishes
Russell Brown
Regulatory Projects Manager
The Fundraising Regulator
Testimonials
This Voluntary Sector Fundraising Conference was an ideal and effective way of gathering information from sector professionals as well as also having networking opportunities with peers. All done remotely. Perfect.
The conference spoke to a wide variety of diverse topics with some very engaging speakers, and was great inspiration for exploring other income streams, both traditional and more innovative.
A varied and interesting day – I have taken away ideas to develop further and am excited for how they might impact our work.
The event was informative and interesting with a varied mix of topics and speakers. I found the 20 minute segments worked really well! I took away practical insights and feel inspired to think about how these could be implemented across my own organisation as we look to develop our first fundraising strategy.
A really thought-provoking conference, particularly around the central theme that fundraising is not just about income, but deepening relationships and collaboration. Thank you!
Why You Should Attend
✓ Explore emerging fundraising opportunities and donor engagement strategies to build stronger relationships and secure long-term support
✓ Hear from high-quality speakers across the VSC sector to navigate challenges faced in fundraising
✓ Discover innovative fundraising approaches and real-world case studies that are delivering measurable donor growth and engagement
✓ Networking opportunities with speakers and senior professionals from charities, voluntary organisations and fundraising teams
✓ 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
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
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
