Major Gifts, Trusts and Foundations Executive – Children’s Charity

Sparks raises money to fund pioneering children’s medical research. 1 in 30 children is born in the UK with a condition which may affect them for life. We support clinicians and scientists across the UK who have the skills, innovation and passion to improve children’s lives. Every child matters - that’s why we support research into any medical condition affecting children’s health, from rare diseases to the most common illnesses.

Job Title: Major Gifts, Trusts and Foundations Executive
Department: Major Gifts (Fundraising)
Location: Albert Embankment, London SE1
Salary: £24k - £28k

Team Purpose

The Major Gifts Team raises funds from HNW individuals and Trusts and Foundations. Sparks launched their new medical strategy in 2015 offering a great opportunity to build new, and develop existing, relationships from a combination of warm and cold prospects. The aim of the team is to build income from wealthy individuals, trusts and foundations; with a target of £1million in 2016/17.

Role Purpose

Sparks has traditionally raised around £100k+ a year from trusts and foundations through our warm networks. We believe there is a great opportunity for us to develop income in this area by raising the quality of our applications and building on relationships with our wide supporter networks.

As a key member of the Major Gifts team you will develop a portfolio of trusts and foundations with the potential to give up to £50,000. The team is firmly focused on relationship building and follows a major gift approach to trust fundraising, so there will be opportunities for this post holder to also develop their skills in this area.

Main Responsibilities

Prospecting and securing new business

• Carry out prospect research to establish a firm base of trusts to apply to and/or build relationships with that fit the Sparks strategy.
• Work closely with the Major Gift Manager, the Senior Management Team and senior volunteers to ensure the most effective approaches are made to secure funds.
• Develop creative solutions to donor prospecting
• Develop fundraising cases for support; working closely with our medical team
• Assist with Major Gift Events where applicable; using them to cultivate and develop relationships
• Assist the Major Gifts Manager to create research profiles of all potential Major Donors
• Undertake any other relevant duties or projects delegated by the Major Gift Manager, which are in line with the responsibilities of this role

Relationship Management

• Generate income with a focus on securing donations from trusts and foundations who can give £1,000-£50,000
• Manage the small trust mailing program for Trusts who can give less than £1,000
• Initiate and develop long term relationships with trust supporters and prospective supporters
• Manage a portfolio of 100+ prospects and donors against set KPI’s
• Manage a small portfolio of trust focused events
• Ensure the Raisers Edge database is extensively updated and correctly used
• Manage engagement and donor recognition opportunities for your portfolio
• Attend Major Donor meetings with the Major Gifts Manager, members of the Senior Management Team and Senior Volunteers

Experience, knowledge and skills

Essential:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Experience of developing excellent working relationships with senior staff and external supporters
• Understand the process of researching, soliciting, cultivating and stewarding donors as well as the importance of networks to maximise trust fundraising
• Ability to produce high quality, compelling written materials including cases for support, letters and pitches
• Confidence in face to face meetings - ability to deal with people at all levels with professionalism
• Initiating cold approaches/cold calls

Desirable:

• Experience of fundraising for a minimum of 2 years, ideally in a trust or major gift role
• A track record of having asked for, negotiated and secured gifts of £5k+
• Ability to report on performance against agreed KPI’s
• Ability to use professional networks to build your experience and portfolio

Personal Attributes

• Excellent organisational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and relationship building abilities
• Efficiency and tenacity, with a determination to follow up and pursue goals
• Results driven
• Positive energy and enthusiasm with a dedication to Sparks vision and goals

Benefits

• Opportunity to work in a friendly, dynamic team in central London
• 24 days annual leave allowance + Christmas shutdown
• TOIL given for extra hours worked at events, above those contracted
• Contributory pension or long term savings scheme
• Optional childcare vouchers and season ticket loan
• Staff social committee organising internal quarterly events

Closing Date: 30th November 2015
Interviews will be taking place on the 8th, 9th and 10th December

If you would like to apply for this position, please click the apply button and attach your CV and covering letter. It will be sent automatically to us.

No agencies please.