About the Handbook - RiF Handbook

Background Information about the Handbook

Why is there a charge for the Handbook?

The fee you pay for the Handbook helps make this project possible. Whilst much of the content has been provided by volunteers there are costs associated with managing, maintaining, and providing the Handbook and its website. The fee that you pay helps ensure these costs are covered so that the Handbook is sustainable.

Why are there discounts for some people and organisations?

The Handbook has been written to provide information to anyone carrying out a prospect research role, setting up a prospect research function, or working closely alongside prospect researchers. The pricing for the Handbook recognises that not all individuals and organisations have access to the same resources so by offering the Handbook at a subsidised rate for some individuals and organisations, we help ensure it can be accessed by, and useful to, everyone who will benefit from it.

Are there any other discounts available?

Chartered Institute of Fundraising individual members receive a 10% discount. You will need to provide your membership number and expiry date to access the reduced price. We may also occasionally run other special offers.

What is the Handbook Access Programme?

The Programme has been set up to help researchers who would like to access the Handbook but are unable to afford the purchase price. Applications to the Access Programme can be made using our online form.

Who has written the Handbook?

The Handbook has been written by volunteers. You can find out more about how we created the Handbook by reading the Introduction and see who has contributed on the Acknowledgements section.

Will you be adding more chapters to the Handbook?

Yes, please read about the available and planned chapters on the Handbook Contents page.

How can I get involved with the Handbook?

There are several different ways for volunteers to support the Handbook, you can read all about these and find links to our sign-up forms by visiting the Get Involved page.

What about the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Competence Framework?

The Handbook is a valuable resource for prospect researchers looking to undertake continuous professional development (CPD). As recognised through the award of Chartered Status, fundraising is a profession which has specific areas of knowledge, skills and behaviours attributed to it. The Chartered Institute of Fundraising has created a Competence Framework that can be used to benchmark professional expertise as well as in organisation planning, recruitment and training.

Using the Handbook Website

Why can I only see the introduction to each chapter?

The introduction of each chapter is provided free of charge. To read more, you will need to either sign-in to your account or purchase a copy of the Handbook.

How do I know what the contents of a chapter are?

The introductory section of each chapter contains a summary of the chapter’s contents. Click on the chapter title from the menu bar to view and read the introduction.

Can I search for key words/phrases within the whole Handbook?

Yes. Use the search box in the right side menu bar to find out which chapters contain content on the topic you are interested in.

How do I find a particular word or phrase within the page I am on?

Desktop / laptop browser – Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on a Mac) on the keyboard. The ‘F’ stands for ‘find’ and will open a search box to enable you to search within a page.

Mobile browser – for Android and Chrome-based browsers tap the menu icon in the upper right corner of the window. When the menu opens, select ‘Find in Page’ and enter your word/phrase. For Safari / iOS browsers tap the ‘Share’ icon on the edge of the screen which looks like a box with an arrow coming out of it. When the icons appears swipe along the bottom row until you see the ‘Find on Page’ magnifying glass icon.

What is the Resource Directory page?

The Handbook writers have collected details of the places they go for information, the tools they use to carry out their research, and the publications they have read to develop their own knowledge. The Further Resources page includes links to training courses, databases and directories, books, journals, blogs, podcasts and much more so that you can continue your own learning and development.

How can I save my place in a chapter?

Each chapter is divided into a series of numbered Headings which can be bookmarked using your browser’s native bookmark manager. This will enable you to return directly to the heading providing you are logged in.

If you’d like to return to a particular line within a heading or chapter, you can use a free browser extension such as Link to Text Fragment for Chrome / Chromium browsers or for iOS.

Please ensure you check that the extension is safe to install before going ahead as we can’t be responsible for the content of external links or any extensions they provide.

How can I read Handbook content offline?

Many browsers offer the option to access webpages offline as a native feature. Please refer to the instructions for your browser for information on how to do this as it varies between browsers.

You can also create a PDF of a chapter to read offline by clicking the ‘Print or PDF this page’ button to open the print dialogue. The PDF will be stamped with your subscription details.

Can I print Handbook content?

If you need a hard copy of a particular chapter, click the ‘Print or PDF this page’ button to open the print dialogue box. Please consider the environment before printing and remember that printed copies are only for your own use.

Can I make tables bigger?

If you are using a mobile or tablet, we recommend reading in landscape mode. Whatever device or browser you are using, you can use the usual zoom in / zoom out functions if you need to see more detail.

Handbook Website Accessibility

The Handbook website has been designed with accessibility in mind with the aim to provide a site that is accessible to the widest possible audience. We try our best to ensure our site works with a range of technologies, but we can’t commit to testing every browser version with every version of assistive technologies, nor testing on every operating system version or mobile handset type.

We focus on testing with modern browsers and more recent technology, as they are the most commonly used and provide the best accessibility support for the user. For most people then, the website allows you to use the accessibility settings, tools, and plugins of your choice. Below you will find some useful information about accessibility settings for commonly used browsers and devices.

We only use alternative text (or alt text) for images where an image conveys essential information for the meaning of the page. Where an image is purely decorative, we don’t use alt text as doing so can create extra noise for people using a screen reader.

Common browser accessibility features

Most web browsers offer their own built-in accessibility features. You’ll usually find these options in your browser’s settings. Here is some information about features for some of the most commonly used browsers:

Common device accessibility features

Most computers and mobile devices come with built-in accessibility features. They’ll usually need to be turned on before you can use them. Here is some information about features for different types of devices:

You can also find more support and information about making your device easier to use and more accessible through a series of free guides provided by AbilityNet.

We want to ensure everyone can access and use our website in the way that works best for them. If you experience any accessibility issues while using our website, please let us know.