Covering a range of topics from capital campaigns and faith-based fundraising to systems thinking and artificial intelligence, masterclasses have been selected to address the most pressing needs affecting our sector right now. Held ahead of the main programme, the sessions are presented in two categories: full-length masterclasses held across two days and mini masterclasses that run consecutively.

“As the pace of change accelerates and the challenges humanity faces rise, life-saving programmes are being stripped of funding and hard-won gains in diversity, equity, inclusion, and access are under attack,” said Ruby Chadwick, Director of Programmes at the Resource Alliance. “In this environment, fundraising cannot afford to stand still. At the International Fundraising Congress, we’re bringing together the brightest minds, the boldest ideas, and the most innovative new strategies to reshape and secure the future of social impact.”

“The world is at a pivotal juncture. The USAID crisis and increasing restrictions on fundraising globally have exposed the risks we face when we depend on singular funding streams. Income diversification is critical, and masterclasses at IFC 2025 this October will cover topics selected to support delegates to navigate these waters, to do their best work, and to grow in their careers and as people,” Chadwick continued. “They are intensive sessions where participants will be exposed to deep knowledge, insights, and experiences, learning through interactive discussions, real-world case studies, and hands-on activities.”

Masterclasses at IFC offer a unique opportunity to connect with industry thought leaders and develop the critical skills they need to thrive and meet the evolving needs of our sector. Across the first two days of the event programme, participants will explore innovative concepts for nonprofit problem-solving, go on a journey to digital fundraising growth, transform their supporter experience, master strategic impact, decode decision science, and much more.

The International Fundraising Congress returns to Noordwijkerhout in the Netherlands this 14-17 October and will once more be presented in a hybrid format. Delegates registering before the end of March can get 50% off a second ticket or 25% off two individual tickets bought together. Find out more about IFC 2025 here.

As we look out at the world, it is impossible to ignore the mounting forces of uncertainty and crisis. We are living in a polycrisis – a time of overlapping global challenges, from economic instability to climate change, and from social unrest to rising poverty. These moments can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and even terrifying. The road ahead can seem unclear and progress often feels slow.

But even in this complex environment, there is a force within us – within you – that holds the power to create real change. You, the fundraiser, the campaigner, the changemaker. We must remain not just hopeful, but actively hopeful. Hope that is rooted in action. Hope that isn’t passive, but that compels us to build, to connect, and to co-create solutions for a better world.

Here’s where the beauty of community comes in. The Resource Alliance community includes over 30,000 fundraisers, campaigners, and changemakers across the globe, representing a diverse range of organisations, from small grassroots initiatives to large international networks. We share a common goal: to create change, to drive impact, and to provide the resources needed to fulfill our collective mission. What unites us isn’t just the work we do, but the commitment we have to learning from each other and with each other. We share our successes, but we also share the things that didn’t work. We seek new solutions, forge new partnerships, and explore how we can collaborate to amplify our impact.

And this is where the fundraiser’s role becomes vital.

A recent study conducted with our community showed that the best job title for a fundraiser is actually not fundraiser but diplomat. We are diplomats in the truest sense – bridging gaps, building partnerships, and linking the people and organisations that will bring about change. It doesn’t matter whether we are connecting donors with programmes on the ground, uniting networks of volunteers, or creating joint proposals to funders. As fundraisers, we understand the power of bringing people together, creating networks of change, and working towards a common goal.

Yet, we must also acknowledge the challenges. The work we do is not easy. The sector is facing mounting pressure and there are moments when we wonder if we are truly making progress. We look at the indicators – poverty rising instead of declining, climate disasters happening with alarming frequency – and we can feel the weight of it all. It’s okay to be frustrated. It’s okay to feel disheartened at times. But remember this: you are not alone. You are part of a community of like-minded individuals who understand that frustration and are driven by a shared purpose to make a difference.

This brings me to another point: the need to build bridges. The work we do as fundraisers is about much more than securing donations. It’s about creating connections – connecting people to causes, connecting organisations to resources, and connecting voices to power. We are experts in building those bridges. It doesn’t matter if we are linking high-value donors to people in programmes, or uniting different sectors to advance a shared agenda. As fundraisers, we have the skill to connect and collaborate. And if we can do this within our organisations, imagine what’s possible when we expand these bridges together, locally, even globally.

The truth is, we have the potential to make a real impact. When we consider the vast network of people we represent – those we work with, the donors who support us, the volunteers who stand with us – and if we combine that with the networks of other organisations in the social impact sector, we are looking at a reach that spans millions or perhaps even over a billion individuals. If we harness that collective power, there is nothing stopping us from creating the change we want to see.

But to do so, we need a new narrative. Not a naive hope, but an active hope. A hope that is rooted in reality – the reality of the work we are already doing. The heroes in our impactful programmes, the personal stories of transformation and change. These are the stories we need to amplify. We are already seeing the difference that is possible today. We have the results, we have the impact, and we have the heroes on the ground making it happen. The question is: can we amplify their voices? Can we make their impact felt far and wide? I believe we can. We have to.

As part of the Resource Alliance, we are amplifiers of this change. We are here to showcase the work of our community, to lift up those voices that are already creating real impact, and to connect them with the world. With a global community of 30,000, we can reach billions. And we must.

As fundraisers, campaigners, activists, and changemakers, we are a determined and stubborn bunch. When we set our minds to something, we get it done. And today, more than ever, the world needs us to rise.

So, as we embark on this journey together, I invite you to reflect: What is your role in this moment? What will you do this to collaborate, to build bridges, and to amplify the impact we are already seeing? I encourage you to connect with others, to share ideas, and to take action. Together, we can make the change we seek. Together, we will rise.

Let’s make it happen.

Willeke van Rijn, CEO

As we get closer to GivingTuesday, we’re sharing the stories of three young activists from around the world to inspire and motivate you in your work.

Mathilde Caillard is a leader in the movement for social justice and ecological action, known for her unique approach as a “techno activist”; along with other young activists, Mathilde employs a combination of dance and techno music to carry political demands and protest messages, amplifying digital reach and gaining media coverage for her cause.

Mathilde has been a climate activist with Action Justice Climat Paris, a citizens’ movement working for ecology and social justice, since 2019. Committed to opposing French pension reform last year, Mathilde’s profile grew when videos of her dancing at those protests went viral. Then, during the French parliamentary elections this summer, Mathilde took a strong stand against the far-right, rallying influencers to organise and and join the fight for social change.

“It’s absolutely impossible,” Mathilde told us, speaking on the elections, “to normalise what a far-right government could mean… We’ll be even less capable of organising because our fundamental rights will be under attack, our democracy will be under attack. It means a world in which we lose our capacity to fight.”

If you want to know more about Mathilde’s work, you can follow her on Instagram or read about the Action Justice Climat Paris fundraising campaign here.

Mathilde was one of three remarkable young changemakers who gave the closing keynote at IFC 2024. If you need a dose of inspiration, you can watch it here.

As we get closer to GivingTuesday, we’re sharing the stories of three young activists from around the world to inspire and motivate you in your work.

Jady Veríssimo is a community activist and aspiring political leader working on the ground to improve the lives of young people in the favela in São Paulo where she was raised.

Jady grew up in a family where education was a challenge. Her father was a truck driver; her mother completed high school through an access programme while pregnant with Jady. From the age of 15, Jady worked to help support her family, attending night school to continue her education.

In 2021, Jady was accepted into Fundação Getulio Vargas to study public administration, becoming the first person in her family to attend university – something that was only possible because she was able to crowdfund the 50% of her education costs not covered by her scholarship. That same year, she founded Pontes para o Amanhã, a project that has so far supported more than 500 teenagers to access educational scholarships and employment opportunities. Her organisation has just begun construction on a sports facility in the favela de Verdinhas, and, at just 23 years old, Jady has her sights set on even greater impact: she has already run her first political campaign for office.

If you want to connect with Jady or think you can support her in her work, you can reach out to her by email. If you want to find out how construction on the sports facility is going, or donate to ongoing costs, follow this link.

Jady was one of three remarkable young changemakers who gave the closing keynote at IFC 2024. If you need a dose of inspiration, you can watch it here.

Because giving is about so much more than money, we’re sharing the stories of three young activists from around the world in the run-up to GivingTuesday.

Archana K R is a change leader, activist, social entrepreneur… and sanitation educator.

Raised by a single mother in rural Karnatka, Archana faced hardship growing up – particularly in accessing education and basic sanitation. One in every three school children, around 539 million globally, does not have access to a functional toilet at school. Millions of adolescent girls miss school every month during their period due to inadequate facilities and many more are placed at increased risk of harm when forced to relieve themselves in the open. Inadequate sanitation affected Archana’s dignity, health, and education, and inspired her to drive change for the better.

Growing up in a marginalised Dalit community, Archana experienced firsthand the challenges of poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity. A school visit from a female politician from her own social class “lit a fire” in Archana, who knew then that she wanted to lead and be a voice for others. Archana went on to achieve a master’s degree in social work and learned how deeply sanitation is connected to education outcomes for women and girls, affecting their entire lives. She taught herself English, was selected for the She Creates Change programme, and went on to lobby the government, receiving national media attention. On International Women’s Day in 2021, after two years of campaigning, the Karnatka Government announced increased funding for school sanitation, improving conditions for millions of students at 49,000 schools in the region.

Today, Archana’s work as the founder of Stand4SHE (sanitation, health, and education) encompasses other marginalised communities, including women, Dalits, tribal groups, transgender people, and underserved young people. Her mission is to identify 100 young people from within marginalised communities and to empower them, through leadership, mentoring, and access to resources, building a network of changemakers.

To train one of these young people costs the equivalent of approximately USD $1,200 per year. If you want to get involved, be that through volunteering, donating, spreading awareness, or connecting Archana to potential funders, you can reach out to her on LinkedIn. Every action counts towards lasting change.

Archana was one of three remarkable young changemakers who gave the closing keynote at IFC 2024. If you need a dose of inspiration, you can watch it here.

The Resource Alliance works globally to strengthen the social impact sector by bringing together a highly-engaged community of fundraisers, campaigners, and activists and connecting them with the resources and collaborative networks they need to support their work. The annual International Fundraising Congress (IFC) is our flagship annual event, bringing together over 1,000 people each year. We are now accepting proposals from interested speakers to present masterclasses at IFC 2025 next 14-17 October in Noordwijkerhout in the Netherlands.

Masterclasses at the International Fundraising Congress are intensive, expert-led, small group sessions that are held ahead of the main conference programme, offering participants a deep exploration of critical topics and trends impacting the sector, selected in response to the changing needs of the community, like localised and community-led fundraising, the changing face of international aid, purpose-led work, innovative financing models, collaboration and communication, AI and tech trends, and many more.

With the rise of right wing governments across the world and the result of the US elections, which will have wide-ranging impacts on our work and on our fundraising, it is critical that organisations and people working to protect human rights, prevent climate change, and build a better world for us all are equipped to do so and supported to build an interconnected network of change. To this end, we are looking to hear from a diverse group of thought leaders and industry experts working in different contexts globally to share their insight, knowledge, and skills with next year’s delegates.

For more information and to submit masterclass proposals, visit bit.ly/RAxIFC2025. Submissions close 06 January 2025.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s this year’s Gala Night theme!

Every year at the International Fundraising Congress, we let our hair down on the last night of the event dancing until morning in our magically transformed event spaces.

This October, join us as we embark on a cosmic journey, an interstellar declaration that the power to drive change is inside us all and that together, as a united force, we will rise.

Stargazers, moon watchers, and intergalactic explorers, all are welcome as we assemble beneath the moonlit sky to manifest a future that prioritises our planet and sees us coming together as one – for the good of us all.

Gala Night 2024 will be an evening beyond the stars!

Throughout human history, we have looked to the skies for inspiration and guidance, seeking to find meaning and rise above our earthly limits.

Picture yourself peering up at the stars, launching into the great unknown, and walking on the moon. Dive into the Milky Way and surf the rings of Saturn as we venture to the furthest reaches of the universe. As we traverse the vastness of space, we see ourselves in each celestial wonder; like the stars, together we shine.

Adorn yourself in attire that embodies the spirit of ascension; be inspired by the phases of the moon, show off your star sign, be the astronaut of your childhood dreams, or blaze a trail like Halley’s Comet.

As fellow cosmic travellers, we will celebrate unity, hope, and the boundless human spirit. This Gala Night, we dance beyond the stars!

The Resource Alliance has appointed Mumbai-based activist and campaigner
Ingrid Srinath as its new chair of the board with immediate effect. Ingrid succeeds
outgoing chair Bill Toliver, whose six-year tenure has come to an end.

“I am delighted that Ingrid Srinath has accepted the nomination to transition to lead our
board,” said Willeke van Rijn, CEO of the Resource Alliance. “Ingrid has been a passionate
advocate of human rights, social justice, and civil society for over 25 years, a strong
promoter of trust-based philanthropy in India and across the world throughout her career,
and has been an integral part of our board since early 2020.”

Continuing, she said, “I would also like to extend my sincerest thanks to Bill Toliver
for his steadfast leadership and personal support of our team through the pandemic and
beyond. Bill served on our board for almost 10 years, including six as chair and a stint as
interim CEO. He was a driving force behind the Resource Alliance’s manifesto, our strategic
direction, and in securing the long-term future of the organisation.”

Other sitting members of the Resource Alliance Board of Directors include Nana Asantewa
Afadzinu, Executive Director of the West Africa Civil Society Institute; Naila Farouky, CEO of
the Arab Foundations Forum; Marcelo Iñarra, Director of Club de Fundraising; Pesh
Framjee, Special Advisor to the Charity Finance Group; Astrid von Soosten, Partner at
Brakeley Fundraising Consultants GmbH; Dr Colin Habberton, Co-Founder of the Relativ
Group; and Asha Curran, CEO of GivingTuesday.

We’re looking for a dynamic and detail-oriented professional based in London.

Our new Event Manager will take on a pivotal role in planning, organising, and executing a wide range of impactful events from the Resource Alliance. The role offers a salary of £40,000 – £45,000 (DOE) and is a hybrid role combining remote working with in-person time in a Central London co-working space.

Our successful candidate will work closely with the Director of Programmes to enhance engagement and event success, bringing together a global community of fundraisers, campaigners, and activists. They will be responsible for all aspects of event logistics, from venue selection to attendee registration, and will collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure successful event execution. Duties will include managing event budgets, fostering strong relationships with sponsors and vendors, and conducting post-event evaluations to improve future events. The ideal candidate will possess strong organisational and project management skills, excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, and a creative mindset for innovative event experiences.

The Resource Alliance committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is your chance to be part of a vibrant international team, dedicated to advancing the mission of building just, equitable, and sustainable societies. If you are passionate about creating impactful events and have the skills to drive our mission forward, we would love to hear from you.

The application deadline is 21 June 2024.

You can download the full job description, and find out how to apply, here.

Asha Curran and Astrid von Soosten appointed to the Resource Alliance Board of Directors

Following an extensive recruitment process, we are delighted to welcome Asha Curran and Astrid van Soosten to our board.

Asha, CEO of Giving Tuesday, and Astrid, Partner at Brakeley Fundraising Consulting, bring to us global connections and years of expertise in leadership and movement building. This appointment represents a renewed gender balance, as well as a balance between global majority and minority countries.

Following a period of extended service from our longer-standing board members, which supported the organisation through the pandemic, bringing new faces and fresh perspectives to our team is a return to our usual board rotation process.

Are you ready for a new challenge?

Our new Director of Development will be in a pivotal leadership position at the Resource Alliance, strategically collaborating across the organisation to cultivate and manage transformative, long-term partnerships with a diverse range of entities, including foundations, trusts, and private sector partners.

We are looking for a dynamic and strategic individual with expertise in marketing as well as strong leadership in partnership development and fundraising. The successful candidate will be instrumental in driving income development and in leading fundraising initiatives with a pronounced emphasis on foundations, trusts, key accounts, and business development. This role involves building and nurturing enduring partnerships to advance the Resource Alliance’s purpose, working closely with the CEO to enhance engagement and income growth.

The application deadline is 26 February 2024.

You can download the full job description, and find out how to apply, here.

We’re recruiting for an exciting new role.

As our Global Community Manager, you will play a pivotal role in developing and executing innovative marketing strategies to expand our community of fundraisers, campaigners, and changemakers all over the world.

We are in the process of launching a new digital platform which will bring our 30,000-strong community together to learn, share, and collaborate, and your focus will be on creating a vibrant and supportive environment, engaging with community members and cultivating relationships with key stakeholders, partners, and global key accounts.

We are seeking a dynamic, energetic, and engaging individual to lead our community and relationship management efforts. The role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, and organising community events to enhance connection.

The application deadline is 26 February 2024.

You can download the full job description, and find out how to apply, here.