In summer 2018, five years into my fundraising career, I saw an advert inviting applications to join the board of Europe’s largest professional fundraising event, the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Convention. Coming from a small charity that’d never have paid for me to attend, and living 200 miles from London, I’d attended the previous five years as a volunteer; one of the happy faces present wearing a red or white T-shirt, who arrive well before delegates and spend the whole event undertaking a range of tasks, including bag packing, giving directions, managing registrations, scanning badges, liaising with speakers, and more. I was possibly the worst badge scanner in the history of the event, and I privately felt terrified each time I was asked to give directions (I blame both these flaws on having dyspraxia), but I tried hard, got on well with everyone, and was selected for five years running.
Applying to join the Fundraising Convention board wasn’t something I’d considered before, and I only applied after reading that applications were particularly welcome from fundraisers from a minority background. If the advert hadn’t stated this, then as someone who is disabled, neurodiverse, and Jewish, my application probably wouldn’t have gone in. Nevertheless, I was surprised yet delighted that my application was successful, and I was assigned responsibility for the legacies track, alongside Macmillan’s brilliant Director of Legacies, Craig Fordham, whom I spent three lovely years working with. I experienced two board chairs in this time, the impressively slick Joe Jenkins, followed by the bold Laurie Boult.
Although I’d become experienced in putting myself forward for leadership roles in politics and the charity sector, chairing the Fundraising Convention board was one role I thought I wouldn’t be suitable for because of my location, never having worked directly for a large charity, never having held a fancy title, and being disabled. I also happened to be the youngest member of the board, and I’d come across people in our sector who seemingly looked down on me for working in face-to-face fundraising, which was wrong of them of course, especially as I’d actually started my fundraising career as a generalist sole fundraiser for a small charity. To my surprise though, multiple board members encouraged me to stand, so that’s what I did, and since January last year, I’ve served as Chair.
Last year’s event, the first in-person for three years due to an infamous global drama, surpassed many expectations and was widely acclaimed as a major success. Feedback was excellent and in true Convention form, there was a glorious buzz throughout, lots of networking, and a wonderful variety of talks put on by fundraisers and leaders from across our great sector. It felt so good to be together again and having served as Chair for the first time and navigated through some tricky waters, it meant a lot to me. After sharing some of my story on stage when closing the event and receiving a standing ovation, I privately shed a few tears of joy as I realised that my differences from my great predecessors had proven to be a strength and that various difficulties I’d experienced throughout my life, including discrimination and homelessness, had somehow led me to this moment.
Now, looking ahead to this year’s event, held at The QEII Centre, everyone attending can be sure to hear about fresh ideas, impactful campaigns, successes, and failures, thought leadership, and practical tips, shared in a variety of plenary and interactive sessions. In addition to this, with the event being built on what Chartered Institute of Fundraising members want, for the first time, we will be live-streaming a bespoke virtual Convention programme to welcome and engage with a valuable audience that cannot or choose not to travel to the event. This hybrid offer will allow delegates the chance to hear live sessions selected by the board at the same time as in-person delegates, have live interaction with speakers, and network with peers. It would be fantastic to see each delegate in person, but however you choose to attend, Fundraising Convention is created by fundraisers, for fundraisers.
Thanks to my fellow board members for every second they’re putting into creating this year’s event. These fine people are Annabel Tompkins, Donna Young, Elvira Morrison, Jade Secker, James Barker, Jemma Chambers, Jit Pundal, Joy Tootell, Lindsay Tilston Jones, Mandi Hine, Martyn Colebrook, Matt Cull, Romaine Maret, Stacey Lavery, Tracy Calcraft, and Vaughan Thomas. I’d also like to pay tribute to the brilliant Chartered Institute of Fundraising event team, led by Paul Laird, whom I enjoy working with so much that I created a hashtag (#LevyAndLaird), and the highly efficient Lisa Li.
I arrived at my first Fundraising Convention nearly a decade ago without any friends in our sector, but as the years have gone by, all thanks to this fantastic annual event, I’ve made a good number of friendships, and I’m grateful for each one. I really believe that you cannot put a price on the power of connection.
So, be resolute and make the smartest decision of your year by booking your place(s) at Fundraising Convention 2023. You won’t regret it.
Best wishes
Jonathan Levy