# How to get to the National Convention for free - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/04/10/how-get-national-convention-free/ - Published: 2008-04-10T10:14:43+01:00 - Author: Howard Lake **The Institute of Fundraising’s National Convention is one of the key training and learning events in the calendar. Some organisations, however, might not be able to find the budget to pay the fee for you to attend this big event. If that is the case, there are still two ways that you can attend the event at no cost.** ## Bursary First, the Institute of Fundraising, in partnership with The Guardian, offers a bursary scheme for fundraising professionals in the UK who wish to attend the National Convention. Bursaries are open to applicants from across the not-for-profit sector in the UK regardless of their cause and size of their organisation. ## Advertisement There are 40 one-day passes available for any day of the Convention. A bursary covers the entire fee for a day delegate pass including session attendance, lunch and breaktime refreshments. You can [apply for one online](http://www.nationalconvention.org.uk/ukbursaries.php). ## Volunteer Alternatively, you can offer to volunteer to help at the Convention. Last year 50 volunteers worked for three and a half days carrying out duties such as registration, managing workshops, and assisting some of the 2,200 delegates. Volunteers I’ve spoken to say it is hard work but worth it. In return they get free entry to all three days of Convention as well as meals, and accommodation where necessary. The Institute of Fundraising is now recruiting volunteers for the 2008 Convention which runs from 6-9 July 2008 at the Hilton London Metropole, Edgware Road. You can [apply to be a volunteer](http://www.nationalconvention.org.uk/volunteers.php) now. * **[Deadline extended for National Convention 2009 session proposals](https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/10/20/deadline-extended-national-convention-2009-session-proposals/)**( 20 October 2008) * **[3 National Convention bursaries for major gift fundraisers](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/05/22/3-national-convention-bursaries-major-gift-fundraisers/)**( 22 May 2014) * **[Two competitions for small charities](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/06/11/two-competitions-small-charities/)**( 11 June 2014)