Gary Kernahan
If you get a great sense of satisfaction from helping others, then a career in fundraising could be for you. Gary Kernahan and Anne McCallum tell us how they both landed jobs they love.
Name: Gary Kernahan
Job: Head of Volunteer Fundraising at Muscular Dystrophy Campaign
’My entire working career has been in fundraising – straight from my business degree at Glasgow Caledonian University. I’d been fundraising for Cancer Research UK (CRUK) since the age of 12 and I tailored my university coursework around charities. It was a real passion of mine, so it seemed only natural to progress my interests into a career.
‘My first proper job was actually with CRUK – first of all in Manchester and then back in Glasgow. After a few months my boss left and I took a secondment as regional manager for West of Scotland and Northern Ireland. When that finished, I got a short-term contact for the National Autistic Society as regional manager for the same area and from there came to the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.
‘My business degree certainly isn’t essential for fundraising, although it has helped me with things like finance, marketing and human resources. I’ve taken responsibility for my own learning, too. Right now I’m studying for a professional qualification in fundraising through the Open University. I’m also involved with the Institute of Fundraising in a voluntary role.
‘It’s all a far cry from what I nearly ended up doing. My first job offer after leaving university was working in pensions for Abbey National. I declined it and looking back, I can’t imagine where that path would have taken me. I really enjoy my job. I never wake up in the morning not wanting to go to work – how fortunate is that?’
Anne McCallum
Name: Anne McCallum
Job: Legacy Administration and Development Officer for Erskine
’Erskine provides nursing and medical care for former members of the Armed Forces and I can’t think of a more rewarding job. The satisfaction it gives me day to day, especially when I’m out and about meeting our supporters, is immense.
I actually have two separate roles – legacy administration and legacy development. The legacy administration side is all about the legal aspects of wills and bequests, so I chase up solicitors, deal with family members and handle tax matters. Legacy development, on the other hand, is about encouraging people to leave a gift to Erskine in their wills.
Legacy development was a steeper learning curve because I’d never done anything like it previously. I organise events several times a year for our donors, so they can learn more about the work we do. And I keep in touch with supporters by writing to them several times a year – I hadn’t written professional material before, so that’s been a new challenge, too.
It’s all a far cry from where I started off – working in the finance department at Erskine, but I love my job and time flies because I’m doing different things every day.’
Gary and Anne’s top tips on how to develop a career in fundraising:
- Choose a cause which is close to your heart – passion makes a difference
- Volunteer for charities in your spare time – potential employers will love your enthusiasm
- Research professional bodies for good causes which interest you – some may offer targeted training
- Tailor school and university projects around your interest in charity work
Interested? Find out more about becoming a charity fundraiser.
