Chartered Fundraiser: recognising professional expertise
Fundraisers combine knowledge, skill and ethical judgement to inspire support and make a difference. We want that expertise to receive the professional recognition it deserves.
The Chartered Institute of Fundraising is developing proposals to award individual Chartered Fundraiser status. This would recognise fundraisers who demonstrate that they meet an agreed professional standard and commit to maintaining it throughout their careers.
We plan to put the proposed changes to members for a vote in spring 2027.
At our December 2026 AGM, we will update members on the proposals and the next steps. Ahead of the spring vote, we will explain the proposed changes, invite questions and give members opportunities to help shape the approach.
We are engaging with the Privy Council about the changes needed to our Royal Charter and associated governing documents. Introducing individual chartered status will depend on the necessary member and Privy Council approvals, alongside completion of the assessment and operating arrangements.
Explore this hub to understand the ambition, what is being developed and how you can get involved.
Fundraising requires professional expertise: understanding supporters, developing strategy, making sound decisions and putting ethical standards into practice.
Individual chartered status would provide a way to recognise that expertise through assessment against a clear professional standard.
Our ambition is to:
- recognise the knowledge, skills and judgement of experienced fundraisers;
- help employers, trustees and clients understand what professional fundraising involves;
- support clearer routes for professional development and progression; and
- reinforce the importance of ethical practice and continuing learning.
Chartered status would form part of our wider work to support fundraising careers, strengthen standards and improve understanding of the profession.
We are developing a framework through which individual members could apply to become Chartered Fundraisers.
The intention is to recognise expertise gained through different combinations of experience, qualifications and professional development. Different routes would lead to the same final professional standard.
Applicants would need to demonstrate how they apply their knowledge and skills in practice, exercise professional judgement and address ethical challenges.
Successful applicants would be able to use the title Chartered Fundraiser and the proposed post-nominal Chart Fund, subject to approval of the final arrangements.
We are working on the professional standard, eligibility criteria, assessment methods and arrangements for maintaining chartered status.
This includes considering how to make the process fair and accessible, how assessment decisions would be checked, and what support applicants would need.
We will publish further information as these proposals develop, including the proposed costs and application process.
Chartered status is intended to recognise demonstrated professional competence. We want the approach to take account of different fundraising roles, specialisms, organisational settings and career backgrounds.
It would be an optional form of professional recognition. Fundraisers who choose not to pursue it would remain valued members of the profession and continue to have access to the Institute’s membership support and development opportunities.
We are developing the professional framework and working on the changes needed to our Royal Charter and associated governing documents. We are also engaging with the Privy Council about the proposed approach.
At our AGM, we plan to explain the ambition for individual chartered status, share progress and set out how members can get involved ahead of the spring vote.
The vote on the proposed changes is planned for spring 2027, rather than the December AGM.
Members will have opportunities to explore the proposals, ask questions and share their views.
We will provide information about the proposed professional standard, how assessment could work, access and affordability, and the implications for membership.
We plan to ask eligible members to vote on the changes needed to enable the Institute to award individual Chartered Fundraiser status.
The exact date, wording of the resolution, eligibility requirements and voting arrangements will be communicated in advance.
If members approve the changes, we will continue the formal approval process and complete the arrangements needed to operate the scheme.
We intend to test the proposed assessment approach through a pilot before wider introduction.
A successful member vote would be an important milestone. The opening date for applications will be announced once the necessary approvals and preparations are complete.
Yes. The Chartered Institute of Fundraising is incorporated by Royal Charter.
That recognises the organisation. Individual Chartered Fundraiser status would recognise a person’s professional competence through a separate assessment process. Membership alone does not confer individual chartered status.
It would demonstrate that a fundraiser has been assessed against an agreed professional standard covering knowledge, practical competence, professional judgement and ethical practice.
Chartered Fundraisers would also be expected to maintain their competence through continuing professional development.
The member vote is planned for spring 2027.
We will update members at the December 2026 AGM and provide opportunities to discuss the proposals before the vote. We will publish the exact date and voting arrangements in advance.
Members will be asked to consider the proposed changes to the Institute’s governing documents needed to enable it to award individual Chartered Fundraiser status.
The formal resolution and an explanation of the amendments will be shared ahead of the vote.
Voting eligibility will be explained in the formal notice, in line with the Institute’s governing documents. We will also set out how eligible members can take part and any relevant deadlines.
No. Introduction will also depend on the necessary formal approvals and completion of the professional standard, assessment process and operating arrangements.
We will announce an application timetable when those steps are sufficiently advanced.
We are developing proposals that recognise different ways of gaining professional expertise, including qualifications, experience and professional development.
The intention is that different routes would lead to the same final standard. We will publish the eligibility and evidence requirements before applications open.
Length of service would not automatically confer chartered status. Applicants would need to demonstrate that they meet the professional standard through assessment.
Experience would be an important source of evidence, alongside the ability to explain decisions, demonstrate effective practice and exercise ethical judgement.
We are exploring an approach that combines evidence of professional practice with a structured professional discussion.
The final format, assessment criteria and arrangements for moderation and appeals are still being developed. We intend to test the approach before wider introduction.
Fees have not yet been finalised.
Affordability matters. We will consider the costs of application, assessment and maintaining status, alongside the support applicants may need. Proposed fees will be published before applications open.
We need to consider barriers such as cost, time, access to qualifications, employer support and assessment requirements.
Our proposals will consider different career backgrounds and organisational settings, recognition of relevant experience, reasonable adjustments and clear guidance for applicants. We welcome members’ views on barriers that the design needs to address.
No. Career opportunities and pay depend on many factors.
Chartered status would offer an assessed form of professional recognition that fundraisers could use to demonstrate their expertise to employers, trustees and clients.
You would remain a valued member of the Institute and the fundraising profession.
Chartered status would be optional. You could continue to develop your career through qualifications, learning, experience, networks and other professional development opportunities.
The proposals envisage individual Chartered Fundraiser status being linked to individual membership of the Institute. The final membership and eligibility requirements will be published as part of the scheme.
The proposed post-nominal is Chart Fund.
Its use, and how it relates to existing membership designations, will be confirmed through the final approved arrangements.
Chartered Fundraisers would be expected to maintain their professional competence, undertake continuing professional development and meet the applicable professional conduct requirements.
We are developing the recording, review and renewal arrangements and will publish these before the scheme opens.
Read the proposals, take part in the forthcoming discussions and share the questions you want answered before the vote.
Members will receive updates about engagement opportunities and the spring 2027 voting arrangements.