iprovision appoints Virgin Money Giving as online fundraising partner
iprovision, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations’ (CIPR) Benevolent Fund, which is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, has appointed Virgin Money Giving as its first official online fundraising partner as it seeks to grow the fund’s assets from £850,000 to £1 million.
As the only benevolent fund for PR professionals in the UK, iprovision trustees hope that this new partnership will create fresh ways for those working in PR to help and support less fortunate members of the profession at times of adversity.
Through a dedicated iprovision fundraising page on the Virgin Money Giving website, or via a smartphone app, donors can make a one-off donation, schedule regular payments or raise money for iprovision through a sponsored event or personal challenge. The website also makes it easy to add Gift Aid contributions, increasing the value of donations by 25%.
In the last 50 years, iprovision has supported hundreds of institute members and their families who are struggling because of illness, disability, unemployment or bereavement.
During 2014, the charity helped 16 members in need through grants and other practical assistance totaling over £45,000. But, for the first time, we gave out more than we raised in donations.
Virgin Money Giving offers a new way for people to donate to the charity. By partnering with Virgin and going online we hope to make it easier and quicker for public relations practitioners and others to support iprovision.
Technology will be a major part of the new campaign, with iprovision trustees expecting the widespread adoption of Virgin’s iOS and Android apps, together with a rich social media experience, to be a compelling and profitable way of helping the fund reach its £1 million target.
For more information visit the iprovision page on Virgin Money Giving.
We are thrilled to be chosen to work alongside iprovision, the CIPR’s benevolent fund. They have been a great source of advice and much-needed financial support to members in need for the last 50 years. But, like many other charities, they have found that fundraising can be a challenge.
People want to support good causes – but with time at a premium, our aim at Virgin Money Giving is to make it a simple and straightforward online experience for them. We will be working with John and his colleagues to explore innovative new ways of fundraising for iprovision.
A not-for-profit company, and part of Newcastle-based Virgin Money, it is one of the UK’s most successful fundraising websites and has helped charities raise more than £300 million since it was launched in 2009.
Notes to editors
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas. The CIPR is the largest membership organisation for PR practitioners outside of North America. By size of turnover and number of individually registered members, we are the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).