Our Vision

The Institute of Fundraising (IoF) was founded in 1983 by a committed group of fundraisers getting together to tackle fundraising issues. A lot has changed since then but this founding ethos remains at the heart of what we do – coming together to face the challenges we meet as fundraisers.

Now we support more than 5,200 individual fundraisers and 340 charities in the exceptional work that they do. Our training, events and advice are also available to non-members, helping us to support best practice across the entire not-for-profit  sector.

First and foremost though, the IoF remains the professional membership body for UK fundraisers – with a primary role in developing, supporting and representing fundraisers. We are a member-led body and much of our strength relies on the insight, understanding and practical experience of our members.

This means we take an active leadership role for fundraisers - at the forefront in thinking, supporting innovation and challenging the status quo where necessary. We believe we also need to help shape the wider giving agenda, working with Government and other partners to find ways to increase giving throughout society.

We don’t believe our services should just be for members. If we are to improve fundraising for the benefit of all then it is vital that we continue to reach out and engage with everyone involved in fundraising – whether as paid fundraisers, volunteers, trustees or chief executives.

This is the philosophy that has shaped us as an organisation and lies behind the vision and values that drive us today.