As part of Volunteers’ Week, this blog highlights the impact of volunteering within the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and the value of insight-led fundraising across the charity sector. Through volunteering with the Insight in Fundraising Special Interest Group, the author shares how supporting events, networking, and knowledge-sharing initiatives has helped strengthen professional skills, build sector connections, and champion data-driven fundraising best practice.
I joined the CIOF to build my skills and better understand how data and insight can be used to drive donations and make fundraising more effective. It's also a great way to connect with people in the sector, share ideas and learn from each other.
"Membership of the Chartered Institute has helped me stay up to date with best practice, build my knowledge of data and insight, and connect with others in the sector - through sharing ideas and learning from their experiences."
Being a member supports my career development, deepens my understanding of the sector more, keeps me up to date with the latest sector news, and gives me confidence in my abilities. Membership also connects my charity with other professionals and organisations, creating opportunities to share ideas, solve problems, and collaborate across the sector.
Additionally, being a member means I can be part of the committee for the CIOF Insight in Fundraising Special Interest Group, where I currently serve as Treasurer and Secretary.
It helps me stay up to date, learn from real experiences, and feel part of a supportive community - enabling me to bring better data-driven approaches back to my organisation. Our SIG supports this through monthly 20:20 events, as well as an annual conference and awards.
Volunteering with the Insight in Fundraising Special Interest Group has had a really positive impact on my career. Professionally, it's helped me build confidence, develop my expertise in insight-led fundraising, and expand my network across the sector.
The Insight in Fundraising group is proud to celebrate 20 years of bringing together fundraisers, analysts and data professionals to champion insight-led decision making across the charity sector. Since its beginnings, the group has grown into a vibrant community, offering events, training, and networking opportunities that support best practice and innovation in fundraising. This milestone anniversary not only recognises two decades of collaboration and shared learning, but also highlights the group’s ongoing mission to inspire an insight-driven culture and empower charities of all sizes to make better, evidence-based decisions.
"I volunteer with the Chartered Institute because it gives me the opportunity to support the sector, share knowledge, and help improve fundraising practice — helping charities to raise more and make a greater impact for their beneficiaries."
If you want to develop your skills, feel supported, and make a bigger impact, I'd absolutely recommend joining.
