CHARITY OFFICER JOB

A charity officer undertakes a variety of functions which can vary considerably depending upon the sector and size of an organisation. In larger organisations, the role will focus on a specific area, such as project management or strategy development; in smaller charities, a charity officer will undertake whatever tasks are required. Typical job functions include applying for grants, administration, budget setting, dealing with volunteers, fundraising, PR and providing advice or information. Charity officers are often referred to as charity administrators, community liaison officers or project development officers. Many large commercial companies employ a charity officer to steer their charity and/or community agenda.

For example, a charity officer working for a multinational corporation (looking to develop its community links) will have a very different experience from a charity officer working for a small-scale locally-focused charity; not only will their access to resources differ substantially, and therefore their approach contrast, but the officer working in the private sector will not work with volunteers, who are central to the infrastructure of virtually all voluntary sector organisations.

However, despite such diversity in roles, there are typical functions that a charity officer will undertake, which include with external agencies, including voluntary sector organisations, the media, representatives from local authorities and business, trustees, etc. dealing with public relations (PR) with the aim of raising the profile of the organisation and/or campaign. Addressing public meetings and making speeches when accepting donations. Applying for grants and other public funding.

Undertaking general clerical and administrative work to meet the needs of the organisation gathering/analysing information and data and preparing reports authorising payments and managing a budget. Creating and organising fundraising initiatives. Contacting potential donors by telephone and/or letter. Designing and preparing fundraising materials, for example, leaflets and flyers. Maintaining donor lists and prospecting for new managing your time effectively and multitasking. Organising/managing a team of paid staff and/or volunteers. Recruiting and training volunteers and/or paid staff.