FUNDRAISING ASSISTANT

Fundraising ASSISTANT

JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

Every 6 minutes someone learns that they are losing their sight. Every five hours, a baby is born with sight problems. In these moments, two profound questions emerge:

• Can this be stopped?

• How do I (or my child) live this life?

The merger of Fight for Sight and Vision Foundation on 1st April 2023 has enabled us to address both questions. By combining our strengths and expertise we are now the only significant national funder with the efficiency, capability, and capacity to increase investment in medical research and social improvement. Together we can mitigate both the prevalence and impact of sight loss.

We have a clear ambition, led by our CEO, Keith Valentine, who has valuable lived experience of sight loss. We’ve secured well-respected and highly engaged ambassadors and patrons, from Sir John Major and Marsha De Cordova MP.

We are looking for a driven, committed, and creative individual to join our dynamic team as we devise and launch a new five-year strategy. You’ll be part of something impactful and a key support within the fundraising team.

The Fundraising Assistant will play a crucial role in the future growth of our charity and the impact that we can achieve through partnerships for people with sight loss.  You will be a key part of a growing fundraising team providing support across the team. 

Responsible to  

Individual Giving Manager 

 

Direct reports  

None 

 

Working hours and contract  

This is a permanent full-time role (35 hours per week).  We will consider part-time and flexible working arrangements. 

 

Salary  

£25,000 per annum 

 

Location  

Central London with some remote working. A minimum of two days required in the office, 50 Leman Street, London E1 8HQ.

 

Start date 

As soon as possible. 

Role Responsibilities:

Individual Giving 

• Support the Individual Giving Manager with day-to-day communications with our donor base, including timely database administration to capture communication preferences and personal details. 

• Support the Database Manager with data and financial processes, including recording and batching donations, generating reports, contributing to supporter journeys and reconciling income. 

• Undertake research into new projects and areas of fundraising and highlight areas of potential opportunities to raise income and ensure continuous supporter engagement. 

• Liaise with design and print suppliers to deliver appeals and other campaigns. 

• Support the Individual Giving team in-person in the office, with the processing of direct marketing appeal responses, including banking of donations and sending thank you letters.

• Work with the Individual Giving Managers to implement supporter journeys to encourage further support to the organisation. 

Events and Community 

• Use a CRM database to effectively administer and manage event and community activities. 

• To be an ambassador at all events, supporting the delivery of our vision and ensuring that the charity’s profile and reputation are enhanced. 

• Work with the Events and Community team to send out literature and parcels to community groups and event participants in an efficient and timely manner. 

• Researching and sourcing event materials and fulfilling event packs when required.

• Support with logistics for virtual and in-person events as required. 

Wider fundraising  

• Answering inbound calls as part of the head office call team, at least two days per week, and responding to or triaging enquiries to be resolved in a timely manner.

• Working with suppliers to help design, proof and order new and replacement fundraising materials (fundraising packs, t-shirts, collecting boxes etc) as necessary.  

• Act as the first point of contact for external enquiries and manage internal post, including sorting incoming post and organising outgoing fundraising post from head office. 

• Work with the Communications team to ensure social media posts and other promotion opportunities are carefully planned and well executed.
• Work alongside the high value team Partnerships Assistant on key events and appeal tasks when required.

• Provide general administration support across the fundraising team as required. 

• Contribute to the overall fundraising strategy as a member of the Fundraising team. Share learnings and points of interest in team meetings, as well as work-based updates.

• To work in compliance with the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Practice and data protection legislation.

 

Person specification:

 

Desirable skills, knowledge & experience 

• Excellent communicator in formal and informal communications, both verbally and in writing, to all stakeholders. 

• Proven ability to engage, inspire and enthuse a range of supporters. 

• A commitment to undertake training where required and an enthusiasm for new challenges and experiences. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport. 

• Creative thinking, imaginative and entrepreneurial attitude towards fundraising. 

• Strong project management and prioritisation skills. 

• IT literate with experience of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook, and databases. 

• A commitment to our values: Together we are bold, tenacious, informed and optimistic.
• Experience of using a CRM database to support relationship management. 
• Understanding of the charity sector and associated fundraising technique. 

Personal qualities 

• An understanding of and commitment to blind and partially sighted people. 

• A passion for fundraising and wanting to make a difference. Someone who is keen to succeed and keen to demonstrate their abilities.

• Highly organised with the ability to juggle several deadlines at the same time. 

• Positive, confident and enthusiastic. 

• The ability to use initiative, common sense and solve problems.

• Self-motivated, team worker with ability to work autonomously as required. 

• Willingness to work flexibly where required. 

• Approachable, creative, ‘can-do’ attitude. 

• Excellent attention to detail. 

• Comfortable with managing day-to-day routine tasks, in addition to prioritising ad hoc tasks when required. 

• A growth mindset.

Flexibility 

The role description is a general outline of duties and responsibilities and may be amended as the charity develops, the needs of the team evolve, and the role grows. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time. 

 

Application process:  

Please submit a CV and supporting statement, outlining your skills and experience relevant to the role and motivations for applying for the role (two pages maximum), with the subject ‘Application for Fundraising Assistant’

 

 

The interview process is as follows: 

• 1st Interview: Online with recruiting manager and fundraising colleague. 

• 2nd Interview and an informal meeting with colleagues: Face to face in London E1 with line manager and other members of the fundraising team.