The Institute of Fundraising plans to secure funding for and launch its fundraising research portal for members this year, it was outlined in the organisation's annual general meeting yesterday.

After first mooting the establishment of an independent research capacity early last year, the Institute plans to step up progress.

In his final act as acting chair of the organisation before British Red Cross director of fundraising Mark Astarita was confirmed as new chairman by the board yesterday, Alan Gosschalk said that the Institute would start to seek funding for a “first-class research facility”.

“In 2011 it will finally happen,” he said.

While the organisation reported an increase in individual and organisational membership over the previous year, Gosschalk said that sharing best practice is not enough to ensure the Institute remains relevant to fundraisers. “We must speak out on behalf of fundraisers,” he said.

Financial performance

Despite a spate of high-profile leadership changes at the Institute, 2010/11 has brought with it improved income and a reduction in outgoing resources. The AGM was told that income had risen to just shy of £4.1m – still lower than outgoings, which come in at £4.3m and are lower than in the previous financial year.

Honorary treasurer Kevin Geeson said the deficit, in the region of a quarter of a million pounds, is a result of expenditure related to the legacy promotion consortium Remember A Charity.

Income from the regional groups, however, took a tumble of 20 per cent – which Geeson attributed to a reduction in support in Scotland.

The Institute will be conducting a review of its special interest groups and regional groups in the coming year in order to ensure it is relevant.

New trustees

The Institute announced new trustees to its board; Stephen George, Julie Hunt, Gordon Michie and Joseph Cuff all took up new positions while Tangible Response's Stephen Pidgeon was re-elected as trustee. Jo Swinhoe, the former director of fundraising at Alzheimer's Society, meanwhile was voted in as a fellow of the organisation.