Thursday 22nd January 2026
12:30-16:30
Online with Fundraising Everywhere
Fundraising on the Margins is back!
And at a new time of year! Why try and squeeze in training during some of the busiest months of the year, when January gives us space and time to learn?!
Check out the full line up for the day below and secure your ticket today!
We know that the fundraising landscape continues to be a changing one – demand for our services is not just increasing but becoming more complex in many areas, it is relentlessly busy, and competition for funds is tougher than ever.
And whilst many sector conferences have returned to ‘in person’ events, we know there are thousands of fundraisers for whom a whole range of barriers still exist in accessing support – finance, travel, accommodation, location, physical accessibility and caring responsibilities to name just a few.
Fundraising on the Margins aims to bridge some of these gaps and make sure that EVERYONE can get connected with the support, training, learning and networking they deserve.
Last year over 500 people joined us live and online, and watching on catch up after the event. Will you be joining us this year?
As in all previous years, accessibility is at the heart of this event and we are delighted to be offering completely free access to anyone from charities with an annual turnover of under £500,000.
And for those in larger organisations tickets are currently available at an early bird rate of just £30 for individual bookings and £300 for team bookings (with no upper limit on numbers in your group).
We couldn’t offer free tickets and maintain such super accessible pricing without our amazing headline sponsor Making a Difference Locally and our brilliant event partners – Polly Symondson Recruitment, Giftease, Beautiful Insights, Apollo Fundraising, Griffin Chartered Accountants and The Charity Knowledge Hub.
We’re so grateful to each of them for joining with us to make sure everyone can access learning when they need it.
Programme
12:30-13:30
Welcome and Opening Plenary with Samir Afhim
Why Centring Impact is our Fundraising Super Power!
Join Samir as he explores the importance of impact in our fundraising. How do we understand, measure, and communicate the real difference every donation makes? How can we uncover that gold in our own organisations and how can we harness that power to enrich and equip our fundraising?
13:30 – 13:40 BREAK
13:40 – 14:25
CHOOSE YOUR SESSION
ROOM ONE
A Fundraiser’s Guide to AI: From Prospect Research to Donor Insights
Robyn Greaves, Co-Founder of Pravi
AI isn’t just about saving time - it’s quickly becoming a powerful ally for fundraisers who want to work smarter, find new opportunities, and connect with more supporters. In this session, Robyn Greaves (Co-Founder, Pravi) will explore how charities can use AI across different stages of fundraising - from research and strategy to engagement and stewardship. You’ll see live demos of three practical tools in action:
Perplexity – for quick, reliable funding and prospect research
ChatGPT Projects – as your personal Fundraising Helper for ideas, copy, and communications
Pravi – for creating data-backed donor personas that guide strategy and messaging
ROOM TWO
From Zero to Major Donor Hero: Building a successful Major Donor programme in 6 steps
Hannah Shepherd, Philanthropy Consultant, Money Tree Fundraising
Whether you have one or two Major Donors, an established Major Donor Programme which you are looking to grow or about to start engaging with Major Donor prospects, this session is for you. Hannah will talk you through 6 steps to elevate your Major Donor fundraising putting relationships at the heart of every action, engagement and KPIs. This session will cover how to effectively identify, cultivate and steward your Major Donors and Prospects and ensure you build a long-lasting fundraising relationships for your organisation.
14:25 – 14:35 – BREAK
14:35 – 15:20
CHOOSE YOUR SESSION
ROOM ONE
What to do when everything is a priority
Vic Hancock Fell - Small Charity Specialist and Trainer
As a fundraiser or charity leader, you’ll likely be familiar with the demands of needing to be all things to all people – all of the time! But how do we manage that impossible prioritisation when everyone is shouting at once?! Vic will explore the tools and techniques that will help you be ‘enough’ (and more!) whilst also ensuring you protect yourself – after all there’s only one of you – and you are really valuable!
ROOM TWO
Burn the Forms. Fund the Work
Luke Wilkinson, Founder, Raiser
Grant applications are a historical glitch: inefficient, inequitable, and overdue for disruption. What if we stopped trying to game the system by sprinkling AI fairy dust on broken processes—and built something better instead? This session explores a different future for charities, where impact speaks louder than paperwork and technology helps build relationships, trust, and transparency—not just transactions.
15:20 – 15:30 - BREAK
15:30 – 16:30
Final Plenary
Why Supporter Experience is the golden thread in our fundraising and how we weave it throughout all we do – Lesley Pinder – Director, Compass
Lesley will round off our conference looking at why the experience we offer to our donors and supporters really is the beating heart of our fundraising and communications, and how we make sure those experiences hit the mark for each supporter now and in the future.