Senior Community Fundraiser

Willow Foundation; Welwyn Garden City; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization is seeking a dedicated Community Fundraiser to lead efforts in community fundraising activities and campaigns in Welwyn Garden City. The successful candidate will manage relationships with donors, organize community engagement activities, and collaborate with teams to grow fundraising initiatives. Candidates should have 1-3 years of community fundraising experience, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in managing volunteers. Flexibility for occasional travel and work outside normal hours is required.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of demonstrable experience in Community Fundraising.
• Experience managing staff and/or volunteers.
• Strong numeracy skills for forecasting and analyzing results.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow community fundraising activities.
• Develop and manage relationships with donors and volunteers.
• Organize fundraising events and campaigns.

Skills

Community Fundraising

Staff Management

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Analytical Skills

Project Management

Tools

Raisers Edge

Job description

Reporting to :

Community & Challenge Events Manager

Direct reports :

N / A

Hours :

Full time, Monday to Friday (37.5 hours per week).

Location :

Hybrid working – Minimum 40% of working time to be spent in the office based in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Includes occasional local, regional and national travel.

Job purpose :

• Lead and grow community fundraising activity and campaigns to support Willow’s strategic income goals
• Build and steward strong relationships with donors, fundraisers, volunteers, and community partners to increase support and awareness.
• Develop innovative fundraising initiatives with the Community and Challenge Events Manager, informed by sector insights and trends.
• Contribute to the successful delivery of Community, Challenge, and wider Fundraising Team targets and events

Key Responsibilities :

• Help lead and develop our Community Fundraising strategy and plans within agreed budgets to achieve financial non‑financial targets.
• Raise awareness of our work and inspire support through stewardship of our network of supporters to maintain engagement and build loyalty.
• Provide a highly personalised approach to supporting Willow’s fundraisers ensuring our supporters receive a positive experience throughout their fundraising activity.
• Proactively develop relationships with various organisations within the community setting, including schools, societies, community groups and companies.
• Create a pipeline of activity that helps us reach new audiences through proactive outreach.
• Coordinate and deliver presentations to a variety of community audiences, with support from wider team and volunteers.
• Organise and deliver a calendar of fundraising activity that creates opportunities for supporters to help Willow, ensuring participation and income targets are achieved.
• Develop the charity’s social media fundraising activity in collaboration with the wider team.
• Collaborate closely with the Communications Team to plan and develop multi‑channel campaigns, including on and offline activity that inspire and engage people.
• Produce campaign materials, share interesting stories and fundraising updates, and prepare content for newsletters, website, and social media.
• Develop a team of volunteers to support fundraising activity.
• Foster relationships with Willow’s network of charity shops and explore collaborative opportunities.
• Ensure accurate recording of supporter information and reporting on activity through updating the charity’s database, Raisers Edge (RE) recording all donor contact and fundraising activity.
• Use RE as a tool to aid fundraising using data insight and reporting.
• Prepare end of campaign reports to improve results for future campaigns and capture learnings.
• Prepare regular income reports and updates as required.
• Keep up to date and comply with the rules set by the Fundraising Regulator, GDPR and other relevant legislation and codes of practice and good practice.
• Keep up to date with changes and trends in the UK fundraising environment.
• Undertake any other tasks required.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience in Community Fundraising of at least 1-3 years.
• Experience in managing staff and / or volunteers.
• Proven record of accomplishment in delivering and meeting targets.
• Self‑motivated and able to work on own initiative.
• Well organised with attention to detail.
• Ability to inspire and influence others to support Willow.
• Ability to develop, motivate and manage individuals and groups of individuals.
• Ability to manage several projects and tasks simultaneously and skilled at prioritising.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
• Effective negotiating and influencing skills.
• Strong numeracy skills and ability to forecast and analyse fundraising results.
• Decisive and quick problem solver with the ability to adapt easily to change.
• Innovative outlook and a willingness to suggest new ideas.

Desirable

• Experience of producing fundraising reports for activity and outcomes.
• Proven experience in delivering timely fundraising campaigns and initiatives.
• Fundraising database experience – preferably Raiser’s Edge.

Other

• Regular travel across the county will be required. Willing to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends as required.
• Full driving licence and access to a car.