# Practical Fundraising Association launched

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2004/06/09/practical-fundraising-association-launched/
- Published: 2004-06-09T23:00:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**A leading fundraising training agency has launched the Practical Fundraising Association(
PFA) “to bring practical help and support to paid and volunteer fundraisers.”**

The Association has been set up by Company Solutions (UK) Ltd which provides a range
of training courses on fundraising. Founder and Director of Company Solutions Gareth
Edwards said that the PFA “exists purely to give practical help and support to its
membership to assist with their fundraising.”

Membership benefits include e-mail newsletters featuring a range of practical hints
and tips on different types of fundraising, online discussion forums, an e-mail 
advice service “on any area of fundraising”, occasional in-depth briefings on key
fundraising areas, and an “Ask An Expert” service offering expert individual advice.
Members also get to use the initials MPFA after their name, and they get either 
10% of 20% discount (depending on membership level) on all Company Solutions (UK)
Ltd training courses and consultancy for all staff and volunteers.

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Gareth Edwards explained why he set up the PFA: “the sole aim of the Practical Fundraising
Association is to bring

affordable practical advice to all sizes of organisations, from a local school PTA
to a national experienced fundraiser. With services for members including Ask an
Expert and a range of practical newsletters

designed to directly help our membership fundraise, we hope to make a practical 
difference to everyone who joins.”

Annual membership fees start at £49.35 (inc VAT) and go up to £493.50 (inc VAT).
Monthly payments are also accepted.

Lindsay Boswell, chief executive of the Institute of Fundraising, told Professional
Fundraising magazine that he was puzzled by the creation of the association. “I 
would question the need for another professional body”, he told the magazine. “The
Institute of Fundraising has had no discussions with Gareth or Company Solutions,
either over the need for such an association or about his plans.”

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