The fundraising profession is whiter, younger and less likely to include disabled people than the wider sector or other sectors, according to research commissioned by the Institute of Fundraising.

A survey of nearly 1,500 Institute of Fundraising members found that 87 per cent of fundraisers are white, a slightly larger percentage than general British society including non-working age (86 per cent according to the 2011 Census). While 7.5 per cent of the British population are Asian, just 3 per cent of fundraisers identified themselves as such. A further 2 per cent each identify as black and mixed, with 5 per cent declining to divulge. In total, 7 per cent of fundraisers identified as being from black, Asian or mixed background, lower than the 10 per cent who do so across the public, private and voluntary sectors as a whole. Of the minority ethnic fundraisers surveyed, the Institute found that they were most likely to be working in charities and causes which were connected to their ethnic communities.

While according to the latest NCVO Civil Society Almanac some 18 per cent of the voluntary sector workforce has a disability, just 5 per cent of fundraisers surveyed identified as such. This representation is significantly lower than in both the public and private sectors.

But while, in some respects, fundraising is less diverse than elsewhere in the voluntary sector, the vast majority (71 per cent) of fundraisers said that diversity in the workplace provides significant benefits.

Women dominate in fundraising, accounting for 74 per cent of respondents. However, the ‘Who’s doing the asking’ report found that men were more than twice as likely to be in management positions. Nearly a fifth of the men surveyed were in a management position compared to 9 per cent of the females.

The majority (84 per cent) of fundraisers identified as heterosexual, with 6 per cent as gay, lesbian or bisexual. The last census reported just 1.5 per cent of the population identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual.

The survey found that fundraising is a young profession, with an average age of 40.1 years. A fifth of the fundraising population is under 29 years of age. Half of fundraising professionals are under 40 compared to 35 per cent of the voluntary sector workforce more broadly. 

Institute chief executive Peter Lewis said: "The high level of support shown by fundraisers for a diverse workforce is certainly positive. However it is clear that work needs to be done to encourage more disabled people and people from ethnic minorities to join our profession and to address the gender imbalance at more senior levels."