Our story
How a moment on stage became the world's only movement dedicated to neurodiversity in fundraising.
Where it started
In 2022, at the UK's largest professional fundraising event — the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Convention — Jonathan Levy shared his story on stage. He talked about various topics, including neurodiversity, neurodivergence, and his own dyspraxia.
At that point, he'd worked in the fundraising sector for nearly nine years — and had never knowingly met another neurodivergent fundraiser.
Within ten minutes of his talk finishing, he'd met eight.
Over the coming days, that number kept rising. And it hasn't stopped since.
The reality for neurodivergent fundraisers
Everyone in society is neurodiverse — but we are not all marginalised by it.
For fundraisers with conditions like ADHD, autism, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, and Tourette's, many have never previously met anyone with a similar condition to them. That isolation causes anxiety, poor mental health, and a constant pressure to mask — to pretend to be someone you're not just to keep your job.
Achieving fundraising targets is never easy. But imagine doing that while also navigating difficulty paying attention, dealing with numbers, following instructions, maintaining control, navigating social interactions, or writing well.
None of these traits are due to a lack of intelligence. But sadly, these fundraisers sometimes report feeling — or even being told — that they're careless, lazy, stupid, or unprofessional.
That has to change.
Who we're here for
Neurodiverse Fundraisers is for anyone in the sector who identifies as neurodivergent — including but not limited to:
Self-identification is always accepted. You don't need a formal diagnosis to belong here.
Our mission
We exist to create a fundraising sector that works for every kind of brain — and that is for the good of everyone.
What neurodivergent fundraisers bring
Neurodiversity is one of the greatest untapped strengths in the charity sector. Neurodivergent fundraisers bring skills and perspectives that others simply don't — including:
A more inclusive workforce also means better teamwork, higher staff retention, stronger relationships with beneficiaries — and a more innovative sector overall.
"We're better together because of, not in spite of, what makes us different."
— Jonathan Levy
"It will be a safe space to connect, learn, share, and thrive, and will hopefully lead to improved employment outcomes. Therefore, it will be for the good of everyone."
— Jonathan Levy, writing about founding Neurodiverse Fundraisers
About the founder
Jonathan Levy is a fundraising sector leader and neurodiversity advocate.
He is a Trustee of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, former Chair of Fundraising Convention, and former Chair of a national dyspraxia charity, and a regular keynote speaker at conferences. He was a Queen's Baton Bearer for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Jonathan has dyspraxia and has spent his career advocating for neurodivergent inclusion — not from the sidelines, but from the front.
What's next?
Neurodiverse Fundraisers is currently in formation as a Community Interest Company (CIC) — because this movement deserves a proper home. A CIC means the community's interests are legally protected, funds can be raised and distributed transparently, and the work can grow sustainably. More updates coming soon.
In the meantime, we have a full programme of free online events for neurodivergent fundraisers and their allies. See what's coming up →