Sales, marketing and procurement

Fundraiser

View occupational standardView occupational progressionExplore courses linked to this occupation

Raise funds for charitable causes.

Summary

This occupation is found in the third sector in charities and not-for-profit organisations of all sizes. The role is usually based within a fundraising team internal to a charitable or not-for-profit organisation but on occasions can be with a specific agency that provides fundraising consultation and services.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to raise funds for charitable causes. Funds are raised from a range of sources including but not limited to trusts and foundations, digital media, major donors, corporate partners, raffles and lotteries, payroll giving, events, community engagement, individual giving, gift aid and legacies. A fundraiser will typically work within or have a focus on one or more of these areas. In addition, a fundraiser is also responsible for raising awareness and non-financial support for their charitable cause. As part of a fundraising team a fundraiser will contribute to the implementation and execution of the fundraising strategy. projects and plans. They will be responsible for delivering day-to-day fundraising activities that provide the essential income and engagement with supporters for the delivery of the charitable purpose of the organisation. They will also carry out research for opportunities and analyse and provide data to support any proposals for developing fundraising activities. The role is a common entry point for many looking for a career within fundraising and, potential progression into more senior fundraising roles.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a range of internal teams such as (but are not limited to) marketing, media, finance, service delivery, volunteering, advocacy, I.T and procurement. Externally, a fundraiser would interact, either autonomously or as part of a team, with clients, donors, supporters and prospective supporters of their charitable cause (e.g. corporate partners, high net worth individuals and the general public), as well as other stakeholders including suppliers, other charities, the media and professional bodies. The role is likely to be home or office-based, although they may spend time away from their base attending and supporting events, meetings with internal or external stakeholders, carrying out specific fundraising activities or carrying out research.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for reporting to a fundraising manager they will undertake the required tasks for the fundraiser. These tasks may require planning and prioritising personal and team activities to meet organisation needs. Due to the nature and level of responsibility it is not anticipated that the role would have any budgetary responsibilities.

They will be responsible for:

• Building and maintaining relationships to acquire new supporters and retain existing ones
• Securing funds and raising awareness of their charitable cause in line with agreed targets and KPIs
• Managing a portfolio of external stakeholders including supporters, volunteers, corporate partners and eventers
• Contributing towards the management of suppliers
• Maintaining a database of supporters
• Conducting research in order to gain valuable insight
• Developing and delivering fundraising plans as directed
• Putting together creative content to build a case for support
• Contributing towards the development of fundraising plans and evaluating their effectiveness
• Promoting fundraising propositions and using innovation to develop new ones
• Compliance with Fundraising and Data Protection regulations
• Addressing and solving problems within their role
• Sales activities identified in fundraising plans

Typical job titles include

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

• Knowledge
• Skills
• Behaviours