Inspiring Fundraising Stories

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Inspiring Fundraising Stories

Explore authentic stories from fundraisers across the UK. This collection highlights diverse career journeys, challenges, successes and insights that inspire and inform charity professionals.

Action Medical Research: Success supported by membership

Last Modified: 30/03/2026

Fundraising success story: Action Medical Research's success is supported by their membership of CIOF

A photo of CIOF member Ashley Hickman

Ashley Hickman: My fundraising story

Last Modified: 05/01/2026

Ashley Hickman’s story of building a career in fundraising

A photo of CIOF member Pip Buckley

bibic: Fundraising for children’s wellbeing

Last Modified: 10/02/2026

Fundraising success story: bibic’s mission and community engagement

A photo of CIOF member Bruce Port

Bruce Port: People-powered fundraising

Last Modified: 05/01/2026

Bruce Port on shifting the fundraising narrative and championing the fundraising community

A photo of CIOF member Carolyn Tyrrell Sheppard

Carolyn Sheppard: continuous learning and support

Last Modified: 02/02/2026

Carolyn's fundraising career, shaped by continuous learning, connections and support

A photo of CIOF member Charley Burke

Charley Burke: How I got into fundraising

Last Modified: 10/02/2026

Charley Burke shares her fundraising journey and insights

A photo of CIOF member Claire Hogarth

Claire Hogarth: strengthening networks

Last Modified: 10/02/2026

Claire shares how she has grown and strengthened her own network and supports others to do so

A photo of CIOF member Dan Rous

Dan Rous: Finding the community in fundraising

Last Modified: 05/01/2026

Dan Rous reflects on his pathway into fundraising and community work

A photo of CIOF member Dave Richardson

Dave Richardson: investment in fundraisers

Last Modified: 05/01/2026

Dave shares what he learned from professional development and how it's helped his fundraising

A photo of CIOF member Francesca Potten

Francesca Potton: making a difference

Last Modified: 10/02/2026

Francesca shares how she makes the most of being a CIOF volunteer and what she's gained from membership

A photo of CIOF member Gary Kernahan

Gary Kernahan: Lessons in fundraising

Last Modified: 05/01/2026

Gary Kernahan discusses his route into fundraising and key lessons learned

A photo of CIOF member Grant Mcfarlane

Grant McFarlane: My fundraising story

Last Modified: 05/01/2026

Grant McFarlane shares how he got into fundraising and how it's all about people

A photo of CIOF member Jamie Mcintosh

Jamie McIntosh: Person-centred fundraising

Last Modified: 05/01/2026

Jamie shares how he started his career and found purpose

A photo of CIOF member Jindy Pal

Jindy Pal: My fundraising career

Last Modified: 05/01/2026

Jindy Pal, Senior Consultant at THINK, shares his fundraising journey

A photo of CIOF member Jordan Miller Hughes

Jordan Miller-Hughes: the power of humanity

Last Modified: 10/02/2026

Jordan's experience of volunteering with a group and why fundraising is special to him

A photo of CIOF member Kerys Sheppard

Kerys Sheppard: The meaning of home

Last Modified: 05/01/2026

Kerys Sheppard reflects on fundraising leadership and career in Wales

A photo of CIOF member Frances Carlaw

Kippen Community Hall: Ambitious goals supported by membership

Last Modified: 20/01/2026

Frances Carlaw from Kippen Community Hall shares how the small charity supports its community

A photo of CIOF member Laura Franklin

Laura Franklin: creating meaningful action

Last Modified: 10/02/2026

Read Laura's experience of making a difference every day

A photo of CIOF member Laura Wilson

Laura Wilson: developing fundraising confidence

Last Modified: 02/02/2026

Discover how Laura has grown her confidence in fundraising

A photo of CIOF member Laura Smethurst

Lauren Smethurst: A journey in arts fundraising

Last Modified: 02/02/2026

A personal journey through arts fundraising and creative giving

A photo of CIOF Craig Fordham, from Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan: The power of collaboration

Last Modified: 10/02/2026

Craig Fordham of Macmillan Cancer Support shares his fundraising insights

A photo of CIOF member Mervi Slade

Mervi Slade: Fundraising with innovation

Last Modified: 05/01/2026

Mervi Slade on innovation and creativity in fundraising

A photo of CIOF member Mhairi Cameron

Mhairi Cameron: Finding where I belong

Last Modified: 02/02/2026

Mhairi Cameron on building a successful fundraising career

A photo of CIOF member Natalie Levin

Natalie Levin: Learning for personal and professional Development

Last Modified: 05/01/2026

Natalie Levin shares how she balanced her fundraising role with completing a fundraising qualification

A photo of CIOF member Paul Montogomery

Paul Montgomery: Expanding my fundraising knowledge

Last Modified: 10/02/2026

Paul Montgomery’s reflections on fundraising leadership and strategy

A photo of CIOF member Paul Morgan

Paul Morgan: Growth through groups

Last Modified: 10/02/2026

Paul Morgan explains how his involvement with a special interest group has helped him and peers

RNLI: The power of teamwork

Last Modified: 10/02/2026

Lucinda Smith from the RNLI shares how CIOF membership supports the whole fundraising team

A photo of CIOF member Sally Insley

Sally Insley: the power of connections

Last Modified: 05/01/2026

Sally shares her career in fundraising and the power of connections

A photo of CIOF member Jon Rew

Scimitar: Fundraising Through Partnership and Purpose

Last Modified: 10/02/2026

Scimitar’s approach to fundraising: partnership and community impact

A photo of CIOF member Sonya Trivedy

Sonya Trivedy: my fundraising career

Last Modified: 10/02/2026

Sonya shares details of her fundraising career

A photo of CIOF member Steven White

Steven White: Growth and opportunity in fundraising

Last Modified: 10/02/2026

Steven White’s perspective on growth and opportunity in fundraising

A photo of CIOF member Terry Stokes

Terry Stokes: Workplace fundraising insights

Last Modified: 05/01/2026

Terry Stokes discusses workplace giving and donor engagement