Sight Support West of England exists to reduce the impact of sight loss, supporting blind and partially sighted people across the county to lead independent lives and to secure equal access to services.
We are seeking a Relationship Fundraiser. This is an exciting and varied role incorporating developing corporate partnerships, supporting volunteer fundraisers, organising fundraising events, and building relationships with community groups.
The role is based in Bristol, Bath and South Gloucestershire, and you will be travelling around the area to meet supporters and attend fundraising events. You will need to regularly attend our office in Bristol. There will also be occasional travel to our partner offices in Devizes (Wiltshire) and Cheltenham.
As Relationship Fundraiser, you will be playing a key role in ensuring the financial success and stability of our charity. There is a wide salary band depending upon experience. You might be coming to this role as a fundraiser, looking to develop your career, or as an established fundraiser looking to use your skills in your local community.
Full details of the post can be found in the Job Description and Person Specification below. Sight Support is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a sight loss charity, we particularly encourage applicants who are visually impaired to apply. If you would like to discuss any elements of the role in advance of applying, please do contact us for an informal discussion.
This is a full time role, 35 hours per week. We would consider part time working for the right candidate.
To apply, please send a CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the post. Applications without cover letters will not be considered.
Closing Date: 5pm Monday 15th June.
Background:
This is an exciting and varied role; building community relationships, organising fundraising events and developing corporate partnerships.
There is a wide salary band depending upon experience. You might be coming to this role as a fundraiser, looking to develop your career, or perhaps you’ve worked in one of these areas at a national level and want to broaden your skills and work within your local community. If you would like an informal chat to discuss the role please do get in touch.
Sight Support West of England are the local sight loss charity for Bristol, BANES & South Glos. We provide face-to-face information, advice and guidance for blind and partially sighted people.
Sight Support works in partnership with Insight Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Sight to deliver high quality services in a cost-effective way. The charities share many central functions including a Head of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications. Sight Support West of England are responsible for generating income through a robust fundraising strategy. To support this strategy, we need a Relationship Fundraiser, working in the BBSG area to develop relationships and build income. This person will increase our capacity, ensuring our fundraising strategy can be delivered across the west of England. This will ensure that the income for our charity is sustainable, delivering great donor and volunteer experiences and growing awareness of our charity.
Responsibilities:
1. Develop local high street opportunities, particularly with local and branch opticians and local supermarkets such as Co-op and Waitrose
2. With the Volunteer Co-ordinator, recruit, develop and retain a number of volunteers to carry out fundraising activities on behalf of the charity
3. Identify opportunities for charity of the year partnerships with local community groups and schools
4. Develop a programme of collections or opportunities to promote other fundraising (e.g. lottery or raffle) at events across the region, including supermarket or street collection days. Ensure there are the right number of volunteers to carry out this work.
5. Support volunteers and supporters in a range of fundraising activities, for example coffee mornings, quiz nights, or Christmas carols
6. Represent the charity at events throughout the region, including giving short talks or presentations as appropriate
7. Identify potential local corporate donor prospects and engage with them to deliver income
8. Manage local corporate partnerships, ensuring the best possible levels of engagement and recognition.
Person Specification
Experience & Qualifications
(Essential) Professional standard of written communication and numeracy.
(Essential) Experience managing and developing relationships, ideally in a fundraising role.
(Essential) Experience working with volunteers or fundraisers.
(Desirable) Experience of fundraising.
(Desirable) Experience pitching for charity partnerships, using evidence and compelling stories.
(Desirable) Communication experience – writing and / or presenting in a professional context.
Knowledge & understanding
(Essential) Understanding of fundraising over a number of income streams (individuals, community groups, corporates or foundations).
(Essential) Understanding the importance of financial controls and income tracking
(Desirable) Knowledge of Bristol, Bath, South Glos area.
(Desirable) Knowledge of fundraising methods and practice.
(Desirable) Understanding fundraising guidelines, Gift Aid and data protection.
(Desirable) Understanding of charitable impact, and the results that funders and donors want to see.Knowledge of the geography of the area of benefit.
Skills & abilities
(Essential) Ability to develop and maintain engaging and positive relationships with volunteers and funders.
(Essential) Skilled communicator, with good writing skills and excellent ability to talk to people over the phone or in person.
(Essential) Ability to manage a diverse portfolio of projects.
(Essential) Ability to respond imaginatively and flexibly to funders needs within fundraising guidelines.
(Essential) Well organised with an appreciation of the importance of forward planning and working to deadlines.
(Essential) Ability to work on own initiative and liaise with Line Manager as and when required.
(Essential) IT literate - competent and confident in use of Microsoft Office software.
(Desirable) Ability to support and motivate a team of volunteers.
(Desirable) Able to use Canva, Adobe Acrobat or similar to make and edit simple posters or event invites.
(Desirable) Able to give short, inspiring talks to groups – making them feel the difference their support makes.
(Desirable) Comfortable presenting our cause in person, making a compelling pitch to decision makers.
Personal qualities & competencies
(Essential) Able to work on their own but also as part of a wider team.
(Essential) Enthusiastic and able to inspire and motivate others.
(Essential) Personal commitment to equal opportunities & anti-discriminatory practice.
(Essential) Ability to travel around the area to meet with funders and volunteers.
(Desirable) Great at identifying a ‘story’ for funders – making impact data come to life in an engaging way.
(Desirable) Creative thinker, able to come up with new ideas to grow our fundraised income.
If you would like to know more about the role before you apply, informal confidential discussions prior to application are welcome; please call 0117 322 4885 to arrange an appointment.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: £25,000.00-£30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bristol BS16 2QQ
