At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage donor relationships and coordinate fundraising activities to support our mission.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a leading charity dedicated to animal welfare and making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, a pension scheme, and wellness support.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values creativity and makes a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in fundraising and excellent communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with two office days per week.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 35000 £ per year.
Contract: Permanent, full time
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Location: Burford or London, Hybrid (2 days in the office a week)
Closing date: Sunday 6 July 2025
Interview date: w/c 14 July 2025
We’re looking for a proactive and relationship-focused Philanthropy Officer to join our Philanthropy team, which is responsible for raising significant income from individuals, trusts, and foundations.
More about the role
This role is central to the success of our mid-value giving programme. You’ll manage your own portfolio of loyal and engaged donors, many of whom have long-standing relationships with the charity, delivering a thoughtful and well-structured programme of stewardship and fundraising communications throughout the year. Your work will ensure strong donor retention and help grow our supporter base by identifying and converting new prospects. You’ll also play a key role in supporting the wider Philanthropy team by providing high-quality administrative and operational support. This includes income processing, accurate donor data management, and supporting compliance with data protection policies and fundraising best practice.
Key responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver a year-round stewardship and fundraising programme for mid-value individual donors
- Manage your own donor portfolio, responding to enquiries and building strong, personal relationships
- Coordinate key stewardship activities such as donor mailings, seasonal communications, and bespoke events
- Work with Individual Giving and Legacy teams to identify new prospects and support integrated donor journeys
- Accurately process and acknowledge all gifts, maintaining up-to-date records and ensuring compliance with GDPR and data protection legislation
- Contribute to the development of stewardship materials and processes that enhance the donor experience
About you
We’re seeking a motivated and detail-focused Philanthropy Officer (Mid-Value Individuals) who brings a blend of creativity, organisation, and professionalism to their work. You’ll be someone who thrives in a dynamic team environment while also building strong relationships across departments. You’ll have experience in individual giving or major donor fundraising and a natural flair for persuasive, engaging writing. With a curious mindset and a tenacious approach, you’ll be comfortable managing multiple priorities, meeting deadlines, and working with a high degree of discretion and care—especially when handling donor data and confidential information. This role requires someone who is confident with CRM systems and data analysis, and who understands the importance of compliance and best practice in donor stewardship. You’ll also be expected to deliver against clear KPIs and actively demonstrate the Blue Cross values in everything you do.
Knowledge, skills, and experience
- Understanding of Individual Giving and/or Major Donor fundraising principles
- Excellent written communication skills, with a flair for creating compelling fundraising and stewardship materials
- Knowledge of data protection and privacy regulations (e.g. GDPR)
- Experience using CRM systems or databases
- Ability to run reports and analyse data effectively
- Proven ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders across teams
- Strong time management skills and attention to detail, even under pressure
A bonus if you have:
- Experience managing administrative or operational processes
- Previous experience working in an animal welfare or charitable organisation
How to apply
Click the apply button and complete the online application process before 23:59 on the closing date on Sunday 6 July 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.
Blue Cross benefits
Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it weren’t for their amazing efforts and commitment, we wouldn’t be able to make the difference that we do today. In return, we want to provide you with the best working environment we can. With a wide range of perks aimed at enhancing your life both inside and outside of work, you'll thrive in a supportive and rewarding environment. Our generous benefits package includes:
- Enhanced annual leave entitlement: 30 days plus bank holidays
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
- Life assurance
- Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
- Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
- Free access to GP via MetLife
- Recognition scheme
- Annual volunteer days
- Claim for professional fees
- Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers.
To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website.
Philanthropy Officer employer: CharityJob
Contact Detail:
CharityJob Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Philanthropy Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the principles of individual giving and major donor fundraising. Understanding these concepts will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your knowledge of the sector.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the philanthropy and fundraising sectors. Attend relevant events or join online forums to connect with others who can provide insights and potentially refer you to opportunities within organisations like ours.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience with CRM systems and data analysis. Be prepared to discuss how you've used these tools in previous roles to manage donor relationships and improve fundraising efforts, as this is crucial for the Philanthropy Officer position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research our organisation's values and recent initiatives. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with ours and how you can contribute to our mission will set you apart from other candidates during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Philanthropy Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in individual giving or major donor fundraising. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to build relationships and manage donor portfolios.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for philanthropy and your understanding of the role. Mention your experience with stewardship programmes and how you can contribute to the team's success.
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since excellent written communication is crucial for this role, include samples of your persuasive writing or fundraising materials if possible. This will demonstrate your flair for engaging content.
Highlight Data Management Experience: Emphasise your familiarity with CRM systems and data analysis. Provide examples of how you've effectively managed donor data and ensured compliance with regulations like GDPR in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at CharityJob
✨Know Your Donors
Before the interview, research the charity's current donor base and understand their profiles. Be prepared to discuss how you would manage relationships with these donors and what strategies you might employ to enhance their engagement.
✨Showcase Your Writing Skills
Since excellent written communication is crucial for this role, bring examples of your previous fundraising materials or stewardship communications. This will demonstrate your ability to create compelling content that resonates with donors.
✨Understand Data Protection
Familiarise yourself with GDPR and data protection regulations as they pertain to donor information. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure compliance in your role, especially when handling sensitive donor data.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Highlight your experience working collaboratively across teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully partnered with colleagues in the past to achieve common goals, particularly in fundraising or donor management contexts.