Major Donor Fundraiser

Aims of the role

Wycliffe Bible Translators wants to ramp up the call across the UK and Ireland to get involved, in order to remove a significant obstacle to God’s global mission: the lack of Scriptures in people’s heart language.

Wycliffe is in a strong position to tackle this obstacle in the 21st century. Wycliffe has a clear, captivating and distinctive message among Christian charities – that mission is most effective when people hear God speak their own language.

We simply want to ensure that people are able to read a sensitively and accurately translated Bible in their heart language. Delivering literacy classes and ensuring that the Bible is well used by local churches complements our main translation work.

The Supporter Engagement team is responsible for communications and fundraising for Wycliffe Bible Translators. The Major Donor Fundraising Officer will support the Fundraising Manager to manage our portfolio of major donors, for the work of Wycliffe.  This will be a varied role which includes developing major donor journeys, managing the major donor lifecycle for individual donors, helping coordinate major donor events, and working with the Major Donor Executive to ensure that all research, administration and data on major donors is kept updated.

This is a great opportunity to gain for anyone interested in developing this crucial income stream through good relationships with our growing portfolio of major donors. The role will be in keeping with Wycliffe’s mission to be an expression of the Christian life and faith.

Reports to: Fundraising Manager

Location: The successful candidate could work from the Wycliffe offices (High Wycombe) or from home, or a combination of office and home. If working from home, it is essential that the post holder can attend regular meetings at the High Wycombe office. Regular travel will be required within UK in order to develop good relationships with donors. Occasional overseas travel may also be required in order to develop major donor’s understanding of the Wycliffe projects.

Key Tasks

Working in liaison with the Supporter Engagement Team the Major Donor Fundraising Officer will take responsibility for all elements of the major donor journey. This post is supported by the Relationships Executive In order to achieve this, the post holder will:

• Define and implement clear strategies for the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of each allocated major donor / prospective donor.
• Represent the organisation to major donors and other supporters in a manner consistent with our ethos, values, branding guidelines, and strategic priorities.
• Manage the relationships with major donors in such a way that Wycliffe’s ministry is understood and opportunities to invest are presented appropriately.
• Organise events (supported by the Relationships Executive) at which major donors will be invited to fund key projects within the Wycliffe portfolio.
• Develop and manage the legacy marketing plan, including running agreed events, developing legacy literature and soliciting pledges.
• Constantly expand and deepen their own understanding of Bible translation, using current information and insights to inform major donors of any key developments in projects that interest them.
• Contribute to the fundraising strategy and key development documents.
• Accompany major donors on overseas trips when appropriate.

Person Specification

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Clear track record in managing relationships with major donors / philanthropists from an evangelical Christian background in the UK and Ireland, and in securing significant gifts OR clear potential to grow quickly into such a role
• Proven skills in relationship building, negotiating and influencing others
• Experience in the development of fundraising strategies
• Excellent written communication skills, encompassing both persuasive formal writing, and concise, informal communications in a variety of media
• A high degree of personal organisation, with ability to prioritise and multitask, responding promptly communications from donors
• IT literate, confident in using software packages such as Microsoft Office
•  Full UK driving licence
• Ability to take appropriate initiative
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Desirable

• Personal experience of cross-cultural mission
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to find creative solutions.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent

Personal Qualities

• Fully committed to Wycliffe’s aims, and to cross-cultural mission
• Self-motivated, able to work productively away from the wider team
• Able to build good relationships with other team members, even when working remotely

Other Requirements

It is an occupational requirement that the post holder be a committed Christian who assents to Wycliffe’s Statement of Faith.

Applicants must be able to prove that they have the legal right to work in the UK.