Tributes paid to ‘force of nature’ fundraiser Judith Rich

Tributes have been paid to fundraiser Judith Rich, who has passed away.

Across her 40 year career she had led and raised money for more than 30 charities.

Among those paying tribute to her legacy in fundraising is the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.

It details her “long standing” role as a fellow and volunteer at the organisation, which in 2006 gave her a lifetime achievement award. This award was made 13 years after she was awarded an OBE for services to fundraising.

“We are all saddened to hear of the death of Judith Rich OBE, a Fellow and long-standing volunteer at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising,” said the fundraising organisation.

“Judith was one of the original fundraisers who joined others to set up the Institute of Charity Fundraising Managers (ICFM) in 1983 and was keenly involved in the Institute’s development as it became the Institute of Fundraising.

“She was the driving force behind Cards for Good Causes, where she was director from 1977 to 2000, and generated millions of pounds for charities in that role. And in a career that spanned over 40 years Judith was involved with over 30 charities as a fundraiser or board member.”

It added: “Throughout her career Judith played a number of key roles within the Institute, as honorary secretary for the first ten years of its life to chair of the working party that set up the face-to-face fundraising code of practice in the 2000s.

“Our thoughts are with her family and friends as we celebrate her life of contribution to fundraising across the UK.”

Rich passed away at the end of November at the age of 89 after a short illness. Her funeral is to take place next month and a memorial service will be held in London in April 2025.

Also paying tribute to Rich is Leeds Hospital Charity director of fundraising Paul Watkins who said: “She was such a force of nature."

King’s College Hospital Charity chief executive Gail Scott-Spicer said that Rich “was always very kind and considered”.

Meanwhile, Director of Social Change chief executive Debra Allcock Tyler said she was a “remarkable person who I will always remember fondly”.