# Chartered Institute of Fundraising announces its new purpose

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2025/06/09/chartered-institute-of-fundraising-announces-its-new-purpose/
- Published: 2025-06-09T16:06:57+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**The Chartered Institute of Fundraising has unveiled its new long-term purpose,
which is focused on tackling the key issues facing fundraising and ensuring that
fundraisers and charities are supported amidst challenging times.**

The 10-year strategy was announced to fundraisers at this week’s annual Fundraising
Convention. It presents a roadmap for “transforming the fundraising landscape across
the UK” at a time when the profession and what it enables charities to achieve is
at a “critical juncture”.

The Chartered Institute, which is bringing in individual chartered status for fundraisers,
has based its purpose on four key pillars:

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• Attracting, retaining and nurturing fundraising talent
• Changing perceptions 
of fundraising• Driving excellent fundraising practice, setting standards, ethics
and guidance• Fostering a culture that inspires more people to give

Two pillars, it can be said, take an internal focus and the other two an external,
public focus.

![A red London bus is positioned within the frame of a social media frame on the
grass outside the venue for the 2025 Fundraising Convention in Westminster, London.
The advert on the side of the bus reads "What if there was a fresh start?"](https://
wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2025/06/48B0E4E4-69BE-4CDD-9EA0-6EA302236F0A.jpeg)

Fundraising Convention at the QEII Convention Centre, London. Photo: Howard Lake

Addressing Convention delegates, Katie Docherty, chief executive of the Chartered
Institute of Fundraising, said the need for change has never been more urgent – 
but is clear that the CIOF needs the expertise and skills of its members to make
this a reality.

She added:

“We are at a critical juncture – we need to take action now. I have been a fundraiser
for almost 25 years, and I have seen all of this firsthand throughout my career.
It can’t continue. Fundraisers are burning out. Charities are facing recruitment
challenges. And every day we do what we can to help those who need us. Fundraising
is not just a means to an end – it’s a profession that needs to be valued, supported
and seen as absolutely essential to the delivery of charitable missions – and fundraisers
can be the bridge between generosity and impact, turning resources into positive
change”.

She urged the delegates, wider membership and beyond, and charities to join the 
Institute on its journey.

“We need your help to enable us to shape a stronger, more positive future for fundraising”,
she said.

Harpreet Kondel, chair of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, added:

> “In the 30 years I have been involved in fundraising we have moved forward – of
> course we have – but not enough. More needs to be done and I am truly excited 
> about the work the CIOF has planned to achieve its purpose in the coming years.
> I am proud to play my part in this next chapter, and I hope my fellow fundraisers
> are too.”

## WATCH: CEO Katie Docherty on the CIOF’s new strategy and purpose

> 
> ## ⏎ Four pillars
> 

The four key pillars of the new organisational purpose each have five- and ten-year
goals.

 * **Attracting, retaining and nurturing fundraising talent** – with widespread 
   staffing shortages and a lack of diversity in the profession, the CIOF aims to
   make fundraising a more attractive and sustainable career. Initiatives will include
   creating accessible career pathways, expanding training and certification opportunities,
   and launching new mentorship programmes to nurture early-career fundraisers.
 * **Changing perceptions of fundraising** – fundraising is frequently misunderstood
   and underfunded. The CIOF will lead a sector-wide effort to reframe the narrative,
   educate key stakeholders (including charity boards and policymakers) and advocate
   for renewed investment in fundraising, with a goal to measurably increase the
   value and understanding of fundraisers’ contributions within a decade.
 * **Driving excellent fundraising practice, setting standards, ethics and guidance**–
   to protect and grow public confidence, the CIOF will strengthen ethical standards,
   guidance and training in partnership with sector regulators. By embedding high
   standards across the profession, fundraisers will be better equipped to deliver
   a more positive supporter experience.
 * **Fostering a culture that inspires more people to give** – with the percentage
   of people donating on the decline, CIOF is working to reverse the trend by making
   it easier, clearer and more inspiring to give. The CIOF will seek to reduce barriers
   to giving and improve understanding of how even the smallest of donations can
   make a difference.

 * **[Toolkit to help fundraisers make colleagues proud of their work](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/07/10/toolkit-help-fundraisers-make-colleagues-proud-work/)(
   10 July 2014)
 * **[Are you really proud to be a fundraiser? A new manifesto for fundraising](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/04/11/really-proud-fundraiser-new-manifesto-fundraising/)(
   11 April 2014)
 * **[2025 National Fundraising Awards now open for nominations](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/11/07/2025-national-fundraising-awards-now-open-for-nominations/)(
   7 November 2024)**