Community Fundraising Officer

Reporting to:  Head of Supporter Fundraising

Contract: Permanent; Full time 37.5 hours. Will consider flexible working

Location: Hybrid. Home working with 40% of contracted hours at our office in Welwyn Garden City

Team comprises: Head of Supporter Fundraising, Events Manager, Individual Giving Fundraiser, Community Fundraising Officer and Fundraising Assistant.

At Willow we make precious memories in the toughest times.

We are the only UK Charity that supports seriously ill 16–40-year-olds, creating magic moments that become shared memories that last a lifetime.

From Special Treats, tailored care packages that are guaranteed to lift spirits to Special Days at home for all the family. From fun packed Special Days out to quiet breaks away for couples away from it all; from a chance to meet heroes and legends or the opportunity to fulfil a lifelong dream.

Our range of services creates precious memories that last a lifetime. In the toughest time, Willow creates life-affirming experiences that boost morale and re unify families

We are looking for an enthusiastic, ambitious, and experienced fundraiser with a proven track-record in income generation.  This role forms an integral part of the Supporter Fundraising Team, a small team that works with supporters including individuals, local businesses, schools, our beneficiaries, and community groups. Willow is a vibrant, exciting, and rewarding place to be. We are committed to delivering more than 1,000 Special Days each year.

Job purpose

• To represent Willow’s work, vision, and purpose through the delivery of campaigns and fundraising initiatives.
• To work across Community, Fundraising Events, and Individual Giving areas to deliver to agreed financial and non-financial targets across the Supporter Fundraising Team.
• To build relationships with donors and fundraisers and offer stewardship that offers the best possible experience of supporting Willow, increasing loyalty and further support.
• To proactively develop relationships within the community including companies, schools, groups and organisations to raise income and awareness.
• To support the charities regular volunteers who support within the Supporter Fundraising Team.
• To attend supporter led fundraising events as required
• To work with the Head of Supporter Fundraising to develop new and imaginative fundraising activities using sector trends and insights.
• To support the wider Supporter Fundraising Team.

Key responsibilities

• Work within agreed budgets to achieve financial targets of £200k plus and non-financial targets.
• To raise awareness of our work and to inspire support through the following activities:
  • To steward our network of fundraising supporters to maintain engagement and build loyalty. To provide a highly personalised approach to supporting Willow’s fundraisers ensuring our supporters receive a positive experience throughout their fundraising activity including sending thank you communications and ongoing stewardship. 25%
  • To develop proactive relationships with various organisations within the community setting, including, schools, societies, community groups and companies. 25%
  • To deliver presentations to a variety of community audiences. 5%
  • To organise and deliver a calendar of fundraising activity that creates opportunities for supporters to help Willow. Ensure participation and income targets are achieved.  10%
  • To develop the charity’s social media fundraising activity in collaboration with the wider team.10%
  • Collaborate closely with the Communications Team, to help plan and develop multi-channel campaigns including on and offline activity that inspire and engage people. 5%
  • To work with the Communications Team to produce campaign materials, share interesting stories and fundraising updates. Prepare content for newsletters, website, and social media. 5%
  • To develop a team of volunteers to support fundraising activity. This could include delivering talks, attending events, and promoting Willow at community events. 10%
  • To foster relationships with Willow’s network of charity shops and explore collaborative opportunities to mutually support each other's initiatives. 5%
• To ensure accurate recording of supporter information and reporting on activity through:
  • Updating the charity’s database, Raisers Edge (RE) recording all donor contact and fundraising activity.
  • Using RE as a tool to aid fundraising using data insight and reporting
  • To prepare end of campaign reports to improve results for future campaigns and capture learnings.
  • To prepare regular income reports and updates as required.
• To keep up- to- date and comply with the rules as set by the Fundraising Regulator, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and other relevant legislation and codes of practice and good practice.
• To keep up to date with changes and trends in the UK fundraising environment
• To undertake any other tasks required.

 Person Specification

 Qualifications, knowledge, and experience

 Essential

•  Demonstrable experience in Community Fundraising, Supporter Care, Individual Giving, or sales role.
• Proven record of accomplishment in delivering and meeting targets
• Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative
• Well organised with attention to detail
• Ability to inspire and influence others to support Willow
• Ability to develop, motivate and manage individuals and groups of individuals
• Ability to manage several projects and tasks simultaneously and skilled at prioritising
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills
• Effective negotiating and influencing skills
• Strong numeracy skills and ability to forecast and analyse fundraising results
• Decisive and quick problem solver with the ability to adapt easily to change
• Innovative outlook and a willingness to suggest new ideas.

Desirable

•  Experience of producing fundraising reports for activity and outcomes
• Proven experience in delivering timely fundraising campaigns and initiatives
• Fundraising database experience – preferably Raiser’s Edge

Other

• Regular travel across the county will be required. Willing to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends as required.
• Full driving license and access to a car