Concerns have been raised about a lack of diversity at a major fundraising conference this week by a charity sector consultant who turned down an offer to speak at the event.
Vic Hancock Fell wrote on social media that she declined to appear at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF)’s Scottish Fundraising Conference after seeing “almost exclusively white people” on its list of speakers.
The conference took place earlier this week and featured more than 50 sessions over two days.
Hancock Fell expressed concern in her post that the sessions featured “from what I can work out, one non-white person”.
She also wrote that someone at the conference this week had reported seeing no people of colour among the delegates.
CIoF did not share equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) data for speakers and attendees at the conference when asked by Civil Society, but said it aimed to improve the diversity of its future events.
CIoF considering how to improve diversity of future events
Katie Docherty, chief executive of CIoF, said her organisation appreciated feedback on its events.
“The conference committee will continue to carefully consider how to further improve the diversity of future events,” she said.
“Beyond our events, we have established a fundraising talent working group to encourage people to join the profession from diverse backgrounds and to nurture and support them in their fundraising career.
“We are grateful to our volunteers on our EDI committee who are working in collaboration with our other volunteer groups to support this work.”
CIoF announced a restructure earlier this year that was “focused on enabling the best delivery of the Chartered Institute’s priorities to support fundraisers, champion fundraising, and advance equity, diversity and inclusion in the fundraising provision”.
