Charity fundraisers have responsibility for raising the contributions of organisations and individuals, by building relationships and exploring new fundraising opportunities.
To succeed in this role you will need the ability to network and build relationships with people. Part of the job is to raise awareness about the charity and its work.
Typical work activities
- Organising and assisting with traditional fundraising activities
- Developing new and novel fundraising activities
- Raising awareness of the charity through national and international media and publicity opportunities
- Developing and initiating strategies to encourage local and international donors to increase their giving
- Researching and targeting charitable trusts with criteria similar to that of the charity and applying for funds
- Motivating supporters to increase their donations
- Making risk analyses and time-cost ratios to focus efforts on fundraising efforts which are likely to be the most successful.
- Recruiting, training and managing volunteers
- Overseeing corporate fundraising
- Approaching commercial and government organisations for sponsorship and donations
Posts are usually advertised but most charities will accept speculative applications so if you identify a charity you wish to work for you can send them an application.
Fundraisers can specialise in several areas:
- Corporate fundraisers raise money from businesses through major events and sponsorship
- Trust and statutory fundraisers bid for trust moneys and grants and involves a lot of research and preparing proposals.
- Community fundraisers have a lot of contact with the public, working with a wide variety of people and involving a wide variety of fundraising activities.
- Major donor fundraisers focus on developing relationships with key supporters who can donate high-value gifts. This may form part of career progression once you have a lot of experience.
- Legacy fundraising may attract people with an interest in law or accountancy. These fundraisers encourage supporters to leave a gift to the charity in their will
Interested in a career as a charity fundraiser?
More information
The prospects website has more information about this career.
The Careers and Employability Service has more information to help you in your career search.
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