The Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIOF) is the membership body for fundraising in the UK. With a network of over 6,000 members, the organization is dedicated to promoting best practices in fundraising—and best practices include creating a safe, collegial environment. As they put it, “We encourage open communication and value the input of our community members in helping us improve the safety of the fundraising sector.”

CIOF needed a tool to address sensitive issues, misconduct, and other grievances. Enter Spot, an incident reporting tool that allows members and event attendees to report anonymously, receive real-time responses, and take control over their submissions.

Michele Welch: A champion for inclusion and safety

At the forefront of cultural improvement is Michele, the Head of Professional Conduct and Inclusion at the Chartered Institute. With a background in social work and years of experience in safeguarding, Michele is no stranger to navigating complex challenges. Since joining the organization in 2022, she has been dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive environment. Michele summarizes, “People need to feel heard, and I’m here to ensure they have a trusted platform to speak up.”

Empowering members with data protection

For the Chartered Institute, confidentiality is paramount. With Spot, reports are securely handled and compliant with GDPR requirements, satisfying their data protection standards. This ensures that sensitive information remains private, building confidence among users.

Empowering users to control their reports

Spot's features allow users to have more control over how and when they report incidents. Michele, with her background in safeguarding, noted that allowing individuals to manage their submissions helps them feel supported and heard.

Real-time support at events

During a recent conference, Michele ensured all event-goers could access Spot by including a QR code on all name badges. One attendee struggled to locate a gender-inclusive restroom and raised the issue via Spot. Within minutes of the report, Michele was able to address the issue and ensure the attendee was directed to the correct facility. The quick response helped avoid potential misunderstandings and preserved the institute’s reputation for inclusivity.

Features that CIOF loves

• Anonymity for reporters, ensuring safety and comfort in reporting
• Real-time tracking of reports, allowing for immediate responses
  
• Customizable intake that gathers detailed information efficiently, from the outset
  
• Mobile-friendly access, allowing users to report incidents from any device, anytime
  

These features have reinforced CIOF’s ability to handle sensitive issues promptly and effectively. By leveraging Spot’s diverse capabilities, they continue to empower their members and uphold their commitment to a speak-up culture.

Spot for anonymous feedback

CIOF uses Spot not only for incident reporting but also to gather valuable feedback from staff and volunteers. During a recent restructuring, the organization received an influx of feedback through Spot, with over 80% of respondents choosing to remain anonymous. This allowed individuals to freely express their concerns, leading to a better understanding of staff sentiment, without sacrificing the ability to follow up.

The path forward: Building a speak-up culture

Looking to the future, CIOF aims to expand its use of Spot to promote a speak-up culture. With Spot as the organization’s chosen incident reporting tool, Michele is committed to identifying issues before they escalate and taking proactive measures to address them—as well as to prevent them in the future.

Michele and her team are dedicated to empowering individuals to come forward and share their experiences.