At a Glance
- Tasks: Support fundraising efforts for animal welfare by managing donor relationships and projects.
- Company: Join a leading international animal welfare charity making a difference worldwide.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, wellbeing support, and free parking.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working and opportunities for career growth in a passionate team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in animal welfare while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills, excellent communication, and experience with databases.
Join an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. We now have an exciting opportunity for a proactive team player with outstanding decision-making skills and a strong customer service ethic to join the dedicated Fundraising Department.
Location: Devon/Hybrid (site attendance estimated to be one day per week, flexibility considered)
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, 08.30-16.30, Monday-Friday
Salary: £31,431 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Sunday 5 July 2026. Please note this role may close earlier than advertised so apply as soon as possible.
About the Role
As Major Gifts Officer, you will support delivery of agreed activity within the Major Gifts Team, successfully cultivating and stewarding a portfolio of mid-value individuals and trusts and delivering a range of agreed projects. Working closely with the Major Gifts Managers, you will evolve and continuously improve supporter stewardship and cultivation activity in line with their capacity and propensity to donate, continuously evaluating performance.
Your principal duties and responsibilities will include:
- Supporting the delivery of the Major Gifts Strategy, improving Major Gifts performance.
- Supporting the Major Gifts cultivation/stewardship programme to grow the number of supporters financially contributing mid value and major gifts.
- Managing, supporting and attending Major Gifts stewardship and cultivation meetings and events, including supplier liaison, supporter invite lists, follow ups and budgets.
- Securing, managing and stewarding a portfolio of active mid-value donors and charitable trusts, delivering compelling bids and donor reports, forging and maintaining strong and enduring relationships.
- Researching current and potential major and mid-value donors to enable a donor-centric approach.
- Delivering and reporting on agreed development and stewardship projects, fundraising targets.
- Maintaining accurate and up-to-date donor information on our CRM system.
About You
We are looking for someone with:
- Demonstrable experience of strong administrative and organisational support within a busy, fast paced environment.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to plan, organise, and prioritise workloads.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong data management skills, and experience of working with databases or CRM systems.
- Experience of managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
- Able to support the planning and delivery of activities or events, including administrative and logistical coordination.
Benefits include:
- Competitive pension.
- 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service.
- Wellbeing team.
- Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
- Long service awards.
- Healthshield plan, including reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership, offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets, access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.
- Free parking.
- Subsidised restaurant and shop.
About the Organisation
Join one of the UK’s largest international animal welfare charities, currently supporting projects in over 35 countries worldwide, working for a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued.
The Charity is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults) and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.
Fundraising Officer in Exeter employer: Donkey Sanctuary
Join a leading international animal welfare organisation based in Devon, where you will be part of a passionate team dedicated to making a difference for donkeys worldwide. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, competitive benefits including 31 days holiday, and opportunities for professional growth within a supportive work culture, this role as a Fundraising Officer offers a meaningful career path in a vibrant and flexible environment. Enjoy the unique advantage of hybrid working while contributing to impactful projects that resonate with your values.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fundraising Officer in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation inside out! Research their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show genuine interest during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to fundraising and donor management. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and keep you top of mind for the hiring team. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Fundraising Officer in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Fundraising Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience in fundraising and project management, and show us how your skills align with our mission of animal welfare.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since excellent written communication is key for this role, ensure your application is clear and engaging. Use concise language and a friendly tone to reflect your strong customer service ethic, which we value highly at StudySmarter.
Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills:We want to see how you manage multiple priorities and deadlines. Include examples from your past experiences that showcase your ability to plan and organise effectively, especially in busy environments.
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the closing date to submit your application. We might close the role earlier if we find the right candidate, so get your application in through our website as soon as possible!
How to prepare for a job interview at Donkey Sanctuary
✨Know Your Cause
Before the interview, dive deep into the mission of the animal welfare organisation. Understand their projects and how they impact donkeys worldwide. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you connect your passion for animal welfare with the role.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to discuss your administrative and organisational skills in detail. Think of specific examples where you've successfully managed multiple priorities or delivered on tight deadlines. Highlighting your project management experience will demonstrate that you're ready to support the Major Gifts Strategy effectively.
✨Engage with Data
Since strong data management skills are crucial for this role, be ready to talk about your experience with databases or CRM systems. Share examples of how you've used data to inform decisions or improve processes, showing that you can maintain accurate donor information and evaluate performance.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the Major Gifts Team and their current projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the organisation aligns with your values and career goals.
