At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage communities and raise funds to support local families in need.
- Company: Home-Start Guildford, a charity dedicated to helping families thrive.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, 24 days leave, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Part-time role with potential for growth and impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in fundraising, community engagement, or marketing is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 28000 £ per year.
Location: Locations across Guildford borough, the office and home working
Hours: Part-time (15 hours per week)
Contract: 12-month Fixed term Contract
Salary: £28,000 per annum, pro rata (£11,351 per annum actual for 15 hours per week)
Line Manager: Business & Administration Manager
Are you passionate about building relationships, engaging local communities and making a real difference to families? Home-Start Guildford is seeking an enthusiastic and proactive Community Engagement & Fundraising Officer to help grow income, strengthen community partnerships and raise awareness of our work supporting local families with young children.
About Home-Start Guildford
Home-Start Guildford is an independent charity supporting local families with at least one child under five who are struggling to cope with the challenges of family life. We believe every child deserves the best possible start and every parent should have the support they need to thrive. Working alongside trained volunteers and skilled staff, we provide compassionate, practical and emotional support to families when they need it most.
About the Role
This is a newly created role and an exciting opportunity to help shape how Home-Start Guildford engages with supporters, businesses, schools and community groups across Guildford Borough. Working as part of a small, supportive team, you will play a key role in developing community fundraising, local partnerships and supporter engagement, helping to build the charity's long-term sustainability and impact.
The role is for 15 hours per week, ideally worked across 2–3 days, with a preference for one of the days to be on a Thursday. We are happy to discuss and agree working days with the successful candidate.
The position is initially offered on a 12-month fixed-term basis as part of our commitment to strengthening community engagement and developing sustainable income streams. We hope to build on the success of the role and explore opportunities for it to continue beyond the initial contract period, subject to funding availability and organisational need.
What we offer
- 24 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- An additional three days leave between Christmas and New Year
- Flexible working arrangements
- 5% contributory pension scheme (after 3 months)
- Company sick pay scheme following probation
- Family-friendly policies, including paternity, adoption and compassionate leave
- Free on-site parking
- Ongoing support, supervision and development opportunities
- Individual Learning and Development Budget (after 3 months)
- The opportunity to make a genuine difference to local families
We welcome applications from candidates with experience in fundraising, community engagement, partnerships, supporter engagement, business development, events, marketing or communications. If you are passionate about building relationships and helping a local charity thrive, we'd love to hear from you.
Schedule and Interview Process
Closing date: Midday, Wednesday 26th August 2026
Shortlisting: Candidates notified by end of day, Friday 28th August 2026
Interviews: Wednesday 2nd September 2026
Home-Start Guildford is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Home-Start Guildford welcomes applications from all sections of the community. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss your needs.
Home-Start Guildford is committed to safer recruitment and equality of opportunity and diversity. This role is subject to DBS checks.
Community Engagement & Fundraising Officer in Guildford employer: Home-Start Guildford
Home-Start Guildford is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for individuals passionate about making a difference in their community. As a volunteer Treasurer, you will join a collaborative board dedicated to supporting local families, with the chance to influence strategic financial decisions that ensure the charity's sustainability. The hybrid working arrangement and strong sense of shared purpose among trustees and staff create a fulfilling work culture where your contributions are valued and impactful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Engagement & Fundraising Officer in Guildford
✨Leverage Local Networks
In fundraising, building relationships is key! Attend local charity events, workshops, or networking nights. It’s a great way to meet like-minded folks and discover potential opportunities at organisations like Home-Start Guildford. Don’t be shy—chat with the organisers and share your interest in part-time roles!
✨Volunteer for Experience
Consider volunteering at non-profits or fundraising events even if it’s on a casual basis. This gets you hands-on experience and helps you build a solid reputation in the fundraising community, which could lead to part-time gigs. Plus, you might find that many organisations prefer hiring from within their volunteer pool!
✨Connect on Social Media
Join fundraising groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. We often see part-time gigs pop up in these communities. Engage with posts, share your own insights, and don’t be afraid to ask for leads on opportunities at places like Home-Start Guildford!
✨Showcase Your Passion
When reaching out to organisations like Home-Start Guildford, make sure your passion for fundraising shines through. Whether that’s through a personal project, a blog, or even social media—having something that highlights your commitment can set you apart from the crowd. Let's make sure they see your enthusiasm when you apply!
We think you need these skills to ace Community Engagement & Fundraising Officer in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Fundraising Skills:When applying for a part-time role in fundraising development at Home-Start Guildford, make sure to highlight any previous experience you've had in fundraising initiatives. Include specific projects, the strategies you implemented, and the impact they had — numbers matter! We love seeing what you've achieved.
Passion Matters!:In your cover letter, let your passion for the cause shine through. Talk about what drives you to work in fundraising and any personal connections you have to the mission of Home-Start Guildford. This is your chance to connect on a human level, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your CV to Fundraising:When crafting your CV, focus on including relevant skills such as communication, relationship-building, and project management. For a part-time position, it’s crucial to demonstrate that you can hit the ground running without needing too much guidance.
Include a Portfolio of Your Work:If you’ve worked on specific campaigns or created fundraising materials, consider attaching samples or a link to a digital portfolio. This gives us tangible evidence of your work and creativity, helping you stand out from the crowd at Home-Start Guildford.
How to prepare for a job interview at Home-Start Guildford
✨Showcase Your Passion for Causes
In the fundraising development field, it’s all about showing you genuinely care about the mission. During the interview, be ready to share personal experiences or stories that illustrate your passion for the causes you want to support. This will not only demonstrate your commitment but also help you connect with the interviewers at Home-Start Guildford.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in fundraising contexts. They might ask how you would handle a donor who is hesitant to contribute or how to turn a potential sponsor into a commitment. Practising these types of scenarios can make you feel more confident and prepared!
✨Flexibility Matters in Part-Time Roles
Since this is a part-time position, be prepared to discuss your availability and how you can work flexibly with the team at Home-Start Guildford. They may be interested in how you manage your time and balance commitments, so highlight your organisational skills and any strategies you use to stay on track.
✨Share Your Past Success Stories
Bring along examples of past fundraising campaigns or events you’ve been involved in—this could be anything from a successful bake sale to a well-executed charity event. If you have any metrics or achievements to share, like money raised or increased awareness, include those as well. It shows your capability in the field!
