Charity fundraiser

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• volunteering
• applying directly
• specialist courses run by a professional body

University

You could do a degree subject relevant to working in fundraising, which may give you an advantage when applying for jobs, especially in corporate fundraising. Subjects include:

• marketing
• media and communications
• public relations
• business studies

You could also do a university course in a subject like voluntary sector management or public service management.

Some of the larger UK charities offer work experience, internships and graduate training schemes.

You can find out more from organisations like Charityworks .

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could take a course at college to develop your customer service and telephone skills which are useful for this role.

This may help you when applying for volunteer and junior fundraising roles.

Courses include Level 2 or 3 Certificate in the Principles of Customer Service

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could do a fundraiser advanced apprenticeship.

This typically takes 18 months to complete as a mix of learning in the workplace and off-the-job study.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You could start out working for a charity in an admin or retail support role and move into fundraising once you've got more experience in the voluntary sector.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a good way to get experience in fundraising and the other sides of charity work. It's also a great way to start making contacts in the sector, which can lead to paid job opportunities.

You can find out more about volunteering through:

• the National Council for Voluntary Organisations
• Do IT

DirectApplication

You can apply directly to get into charity fundraising, if you've got relevant experience from other work, for example advertising, public relations, events, sales or finance.

OtherRoutes

You could do a specialist course like the Certificate or Diploma in Fundraising offered by the Institute of Fundraising . You'll normally need to be working in fundraising to do these.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• customer service skills
• persistence and determination
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• sensitivity and understanding
• knowledge of English language
• business management skills
• the ability to sell products and services
• excellent verbal communication skills
• persuading skills
• excellent written communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• leadership skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to read English
• maths knowledge
• administration skills
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Charity fundraisers organise events and activities to encourage people to donate to causes and organisations.

You could:

• research, develop and plan fundraising ideas
• manage door-to-door and street collections
• recruit and train volunteers
• keep records and report on performance
• manage charity shops and online and mail order stores
• control budgets and meet targets
• give talks about your charity to the public
• write reports and press releases

Location : You could work from home or in an office.

Salary:

Starter : £20,000
Experienced : £36,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 39 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

Career Path:

You could work towards a professional qualification from the Institute of Fundraising.

With experience, you could move into charity management, become a charity director or a self-employed fundraising consultant.