CHARITY FUNDRAISER JOB

Charity fundraisers are employed, directly or indirectly, by a charity or related organisation. They are responsible for achieving an agreed money-raising target by approaching trusts, corporations, statutory bodies, major donors, individuals and other sources, and by running events. In larger charities, the role is likely to be specialised on one particular source. In smaller charities, a fundraiser may work several sources. Fundraisers work with individuals, communities, businesses and charitable trusts to raise awareness of the charity's work, aims and goals.

Ultimately, their job is to increase the contributions of those individuals and groups by building relationships and exploring new fundraising ideas. Developing new and imaginative fundraising activities, many of which will be events-based. Organising traditional activities, e.g. house-to-house collections of donated goods and monies. Developing and coordinating web-based fundraising, online auctions and merchandise sales. Working with all forms of media, and producing supporting materials such as posters, websites and newsletters to promote market and advertise forthcoming events.

Raising awareness of the charity and its work, at both a local and national level - this may involve giving talks to groups or dealing with the media. Increasing funds through researching and targeting charitable trusts whose criteria match the charity's projects and activities. Developing and implementing a strategy for individual and corporate supporter recruitment and development. Overseeing corporate fundraising, including employee giving and matched giving from employers. Building and maintaining profitable, long-term fundraising relationships with donors and potential donors. Managing and updating databases to record donor contact and preference information.

Preparing mail-shots and correspondence. Writing applications and mail-shots, using direct mailing to reach a wide range of potential and current donors. Recruiting, organising and working with volunteers in the community and supporting them in their endeavours - in large national charities this may include responsibility for several hundred local volunteers making risk analyses and balancing time-cost ratios to focus effort upon the most appropriate fundraising activities with the highest chance of success. Monitoring income and expenditure against budgets and the targets. Preparing reports for both donors and trustees of the charity.