Charity fundraiser

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Administration, business and management
Support

Career outlook for charity fundraiser

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£20,000

Experienced

£36,000


Currently employed in Scotland

17,000

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would organise events and persuade people to donate to raise as much money as you can to pay for your charity’s work.

You’d come up with exciting new ways for people and companies to make donations which make them feel that giving their money or time will make a difference.

If you work for a large charity you may focus on one a specific area of fundraising.

You might organise fundraising events such as:

  • Charity balls
  • Concerts
  • Sports events
  • Fashion shows
  • Charity auctions
  • Fun runs

If you work in direct marketing you’d use street collections, door-to-door, online, telemarketing and direct mail approaches to persuade individuals to give a one-off sum or set up a regular donation.

As a corporate fundraiser you’d arrange company sponsorship or set up schemes for staff and customers to donate.

Major donor fundraising means you’d identify wealthy individuals who have an interest in your charity’s work. You contact them and persuade them donate a large sum of money or take up an on-going role with the charity.

Legacy fund-raising is when you’d help people to leave an amount of money to your charity in their will.

In smaller organisations you might do all of these different types of fundraising. Depending on where you work, you would:

  • Research and plan new fundraising strategies
  • Contact people or companies who may be interested in donating
  • Organise events
  • Manage door-to-door and street collections
  • Recruit, train and inspire volunteers
  • Oversee the selling of goods to raise money, for example through charity shops, online or mail order
  • Keep records of activities and the money raised
  • Control budgets

You’d have targets for the amount of money that needs to be raised, and you’d report to managers, trustees and donors on your performance.

You might also give talks about your charity to the public and write reports and press releases to get publicity.

Working conditions

Hours

In a full-time job you can work around 35 to 40 hours a week. Weekend and evening work is common, especially in jobs that involve organising events. Part-time work is also common, particularly at smaller charities that may not have the budget to employ a full-time fundraiser.

Environment

You can be office-based or sometimes work from home.

Travel

You may be responsible for fundraising in a local area or larger region, and travel around the area to give presentations and attend meetings.

UK employment status

Full-time

61%

Part-time

28%

Self employed

11%

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Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.

  • Building relationships
  • Networking
  • Verbal communication
  • Written communication
  • Innovative
  • Working with numbers
  • Researching
  • Social conscience
  • Developing a plan
  • Time management

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

There are no formal entry requirements, but many entrants have a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or degree (SCQF level 9/10) in subjects like Business studies, marketing, media and public relations. 

Useful subjects

  • English
  • Maths

A wide range of subjects will be of value for this role.

Helpful to have

Qualifications and experience that demonstrate a commitment to the community and fundraising/finance skills such as SQA Award in Volunteering Skills (SCQF level 3-5) or Skills for Work Financial Services (SCQF level 5).