Recruitment and retention of fundraising talent is a perennial challenge within charitable organisations. But standard recruitment methods that focus on previous experience and existing networks can overlook or undervalue candidates who come from underrepresented groups or who have non-traditional career experience. Fundraisers who come from diverse backgrounds, however, are often better equipped to understand and reflect the communities they serve, bringing valuable insights – for example, identifying and engaging with new and emerging constituencies, thereby helping to broaden an organisation’s donor base. Diversity in recruitment is also a key factor in helping organisations to build stronger and more resilient teams that adapt quickly to an ever-changing fundraising environment.

In this panel discussion, industry leaders and recruiters address why incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles are an important and valuable consideration in fundraising recruitment and how doing so can benefit an organisation. We’ll also hear directly from diverse fundraisers and managers, who will share their experience of recruitment, providing advice and strategies on how best to attract and retain diverse fundraising talent.