Fifteen young fundraisers faced the, fairly daunting, prospect of pitching both themselves and their idea to Tanya Steele, Paul de Gregorio and Imogen Ward to win one of three specially reserved speaker slots at IWITOT 2014.

Our plan was to give young talent an opportunity and the encouragement to really shine – and shine they did. The ideas were inspirational and were presented with infectious passion and character. Some people brought props. Others had memorised every word and moved around the stage with authoritative calm. We were all proud to be part of it – and all the candidates should feel the same.

The mentors deliberated and debated overnight and, although Paul described it as one of the hardest things he’s done, came to a decision.

So step forward Lucy Sandford, UNICEF UK, Aditi Srivastav, Plan-UK, and Ben Nolan, the Labour Party. Congratulations guys!

They’ll now get straight to work with their individual mentors on their presentations for IWITOT 2014 – and I for one can’t wait for everyone to hear this talented trio speak.

Roll on September 16th – and if you haven’t already, buy your tickets NOW!
 

he author of this piece, Open Fundraising’s Ian Lovett, has organised both of SOFII’s London IWITOT events and is working with SOFII’s Sue Kershaw to deliver the third and best ever IWITOT at London’s Barbican Centre this coming September 16th. Open’s James Briggs originally came up with the concept for IWITOT and the agency has partnered with SOFII since the idea’s inception.

Tanya Steele is director of fundraising at Save the Children. Imogen Ward, until recently director of fundraising at Merlin, is now chief executive of the Lessons for Life Foundation. Paul de Gregorio is Open Fundraising’s head of mobile. Together, though the IWITOT Fundraising’s Got Talent mentoring scheme, they’re committed to encouraging and developing young fundraisers to help them share their enthusiasm, passion and creative imagination to make fundraising better, for all.