Philanthropy & Partnerships Forum
This Forum will help to develop the skills and knowledge of anyone responsible for leading teams focussed on major gifts and high value partnerships. Through sessions exploring theory and practice, these Forums are essential for those wanting to improve their approach and success in fundraising from major supporters and partners. Sessions include member case studies, guest speakers and roundtables to discuss opportunities and challenges as a group of peers navigating this complex and rapidly evolving area of fundraising.

The Philanthropy & Partnership Forum aims to:
- provide networking and peer support for members both in and between sessions
- share insights into developments and latest trends in philanthropy in its broadest sense
- discuss and share case studies and insights on member activities – the
- good and the bad – and share learning on tactical and more strategic themes
- gain valuable insights from exclusive speakers from other charities or
- those involved in philanthropy across the sector more broadly
- enhance skills, competencies, confidence and knowledge with peers
Forum hosts
Simon Dickson
Director
Expert in high-value fundraising and strategy – helping ambitious organisations make a powerful case for support.
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Hannah Hyde
Senior Consultant
Experienced relationship fundraiser and strategist, supporting clients with high-value income, campaigns and cross-team collaboration.
Read moreFormat
- There are four half-day sessions per year.
- Each session has a big topic – something members want to dig deep into, kicking off with an external speaker sharing their thoughts and experience and moving on to a member round table to share ideas and ask questions
- A member case study – a chance for one of the members to share something they think others can learn from. This could feature anything from introducing a new programme or developing a new case for support to sharing how a team has secured a transformational gift
- Highlights, Headaches and Horizons – a round table that gives members the chance to share successes, things coming over the hill, and things that are keeping them up at night. The latter often appear on the agenda of future forums
- Each year, we also have an Open Forum where each member can bring along up to 3 colleagues for a day of inspiration through a series of online sessions from sector experts and peers
- Plenty of time to network, share ideas, get advice and moral support! Members catch-up between sessions, posting questions and seeking feedback on specific topics where collective brain power can add real value


Topics and themes
- philanthropy and partnership fundraising trends
- measuring and improving impact and performance
- working with committees, volunteers and non-fundraising colleagues
- case for support, proposition and campaign development
- developing mid, major and transformational gift programmes
- team recruitment and retention, motivation and wellbeing