Chartered Institute of Fundraising North West Fundraising Conference 2026

An opportunity for fundraisers across the North West to come together, celebrate, share ideas and be proud of their fundraising activities.
About this Event

Following the huge success of the 2025 Conference, we are delighted to announce that the North West Conference will be back for 2 days in 2026.

Once again, we will be taking over the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Chester to celebrate, learn and network - and we are looking forward to seeing you there!

Early bird tickets are now on sale and we will be publishing speaker line-up details shortly.

To keep up with the latest announcements about the North West Fundraising Conference, join our LinkedIn Group by searching 'Chartered Institute of Fundraising North West'. For more information about our other upcoming events, please visit https://ciof.org.uk/volunteer-with-us/national-regional-and-special-interest-groups/north-west/ or our Eventbrite page.

NB THE SCHEDULE BELOW IS AN OUTLINE OF A FANTASTIC TWO DAYS OF TALKS, WORKSHOPS AND PANELS. SOME SESSION TIMES AND SPEAKERS MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

PRIVACY NOTICE

The Chartered Institute of Fundraising (Chartered Institute) of Canopi, 82 Tanner Street, London SE1 3GN is the data controller for the booking and Eventbrite is the data controller for card payment information you provide (Eventbrite Privacy Policy | Eventbrite Help Centre). The data you provide may be stored outside of the UK under the UK International Data Transfer Addendum which provides the same level of information security as the GDPR.

This event is being managed by one of the Chartered Institute’s volunteer communities which is made up of Chartered Institute approved volunteers.

The Information you provide will be used in the following ways:

• To enable the processing of your booking

• To gain follow up feedback regarding the booking process and/or the event itself by email, hard copy at the event or by other event tools used for the event

• For analysis and research to help us improve our services and event management

For further information on how your information is used, how we maintain the security of your information and your rights of access to information we hold about you, please see our privacy policy: ciof.org.uk/privacy policy

DECLARATION

I share the Chartered Institute’s ambition to create a culture where everyone is not just safe, but able to truly thrive. I have read carefully and understand the Code of Behaviour for Training and Events. I hereby agree to abide by its requirements and commit to upholding the standards of conduct required.

I declare that:

• I am not currently suspended due to an investigation by the Chartered Institute.

• I have not previously been found to have violated any of the behaviours outlined in this Code of Behaviour (https://ciof.org.uk/about-us/code-of-behaviour-for-training-and-events).

• I have not received sanctions by the Chartered Institute which prevent me from participating in this event / training.

In the event of a violation of this Code of Behaviour I accept that:

• My organisation (if relevant) may be notified of the violation and proposed course of action.

• Support may be withdrawn from me to attend the event, and I may not be invited to future events.

• The Chartered Institute is not liable or responsible for any legal actions brought against me and I will be responsible for all legal costs in such circumstances.

For full ticket Terms & Conditions, please visit click the link and scroll down to 'Terms and Conditions for Short Courses and Events'

Day One

🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:40 AM
Registration Coffee and Networking From 8:30am, Welcome Talk at 9:30am
🕑: 09:40 AM - 10:05 AM
Opening Plenary - David Page Networking for Introverts
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Session 1 Damian Chapman - The Reason Your Fundraising is Burning You Out
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Session 1 Blended Charity Finance - TBC
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Session 1 Helen Halahan from Woods Valldata - Unlocking Growth
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:25 AM
Coffee Break & Networking
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Session 2 Rose James - Navigating Your Way to Corporate Partnerships
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Session 2 Tim Rogers - The Power of Podcasts in Challenge Event Fundraising
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:15 AM
Session 2 Leanne Roberts & Charlie Mynard - Shaping Your Future in Fundraising
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
Lunch & Networking
🕑: 01:15 PM - 01:45 PM
Afternoon Plenary
🕑: 01:50 PM - 02:35 PM
Session 3 Evelyn Partners - Charity Investments Making it Work
🕑: 01:50 PM - 02:35 PM
Session 3 Sarah Burgess - Spinning Plates Succeeding as a Fundraiser
🕑: 01:50 PM - 02:35 PM
Session 3 Robin Peake - Plotting Your Fundraising Career
🕑: 02:35 PM - 02:55 PM
Coffee Break and Networking
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
Session 4 James Davies - Resilience, a Fundraisers Journey with OCD
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
S4 Max Newton & Lindsay Tilston Jones - Blank Page to Fundraising Strategy
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
Session 4 Ben Swart - Wow Your Donors
🕑: 03:50 PM - 04:30 PM
Closing Plenary
🕑: 04:30 PM - 06:00 PM
Networking Drinks Social
Day Two

🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Registration Coffee and Networking
🕑: 09:30 AM - 09:40 AM
Welcome
🕑: 09:40 AM - 10:05 AM
Opening Plenary - Ngunan Adamu The Art of Storytelling
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
S1 Nathan Gonalez & Jade Asia Smartphone Photography & Storytelling
🕑: 01:50 PM - 02:35 PM
Session 3 Trust and Foundations Panel

Info: Join Marla Cunningham from Emsy Fundraising in discussion with Kate Kendall from National Lottery Heritage Fund, Mel Sproston from Cheshire Community Fund and Laura Messenger from Pets Foundationas they discuss funding bids top tips, share knowledge from the sector and take questions from the audience.

🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Session 1 Amelia Lee and Sarah Hall - The Confident Career

Info: A practical session – packed full of takeaway actions – for anyone desiring growth or navigating transition. Challenge unhelpful thinking, understand what’s behind feeling stuck and build your confidence. You’ll leave with a simple framework for growing your confidence, along with nervous-system tools to help you move forward with greater ease and calm.

🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:25 AM
Coffee Break and Networking
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Session 2 Mark Horne - How Strong Stewardship Builds Major Donor Relationships
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Session 2 Samina Taj - Scaling Growth From What You Already Have

Info: Most charities use only 40% of their existing platforms' capability. This session shows how to unlock a smarter digital experience, auditing your current tools and data, and scaling from there - growth can certainly come from what you already have, not from buying anything new.

🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Session 2 Emily Petty - From Fire Fighter to Fire Lighter - Workshop
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
Lunch and Networking
🕑: 01:15 PM - 01:45 PM
Afternoon Plenary - TBC
🕑: 01:50 PM - 02:35 PM
Session 3 Susannah Lopez - Building a succesful Philanthropy Programme
🕑: 10:50 AM - 11:00 AM
S1 Adam Dixon - Virtual Challenges - Not Just for the Big National Charities
🕑: 01:50 PM - 02:35 PM
S3 Stephanie Armstrong - Mastering the Know, Job Hunting to Corporate Pitches
🕑: 02:35 PM - 02:55 PM
Coffee Break and Networking
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
S4 Tony Banks - Is the Gala Dinner Dead? And Other Awkward Events Questions
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
S4 George Collins - Creative is the New Targeting, winning on Meta
🕑: 03:50 PM - 04:30 PM
Closing Plenary