At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising initiatives and build community relationships to support animal welfare.
- Company: Join the National Animal Welfare Trust, a caring charity dedicated to improving pets' lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible hours, and access to a 24/7 support service.
- Other info: Flexible working options available for the right candidate.
- Why this job: Make a real difference for animals while developing your skills in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in relationship building are essential.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, to include working from home by prior agreement, and some weekends and evenings, especially when events are being held. Flexible working hours will be considered for the right candidate.
Term: Permanent
Closing Date: 15th August 2026
At the National Animal Welfare Trust, we never stop caring for our animals and people. As a rescue and rehoming charity, operating four rehoming centres and three shops across the south of England, we are committed to improving the lives of the UK’s pets, helping around 1,500 animals each year. We have ambitious plans for our future development and need an enthusiastic and self-motivated Fundraising Officer to join our small friendly team in our Berkshire centre and make a difference.
About the role: As a Fundraising Officer, you’ll play a vital role at NAWT’s Berkshire Centre. Your role will be to work with the Centre Manager and NAWT’s central fundraising department, taking responsibility for developing, implementing and managing income generation activities, building local individual and corporate relationships to retain existing supporters and attract new ones, developing and growing a supporter database whilst promoting the centre and its work within the local community. You’ll be joining a charity that celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2021 and you will play a big part in creating and planning initiatives for the Centre. You will be part of a small friendly team who are all committed to improving the lives of pets in the area.
Your main responsibilities will involve:
- Developing, implementing and promoting fundraising activities.
- Building a network of volunteer fundraising supporters.
- Identifying sources of external funding such as grants and writing appropriate applications.
- Building relationships with donors and local businesses.
- Managing the sponsorship programme.
- Promoting the centre through local media contacts and social media.
About you: The successful candidate will be an outstanding communicator with a high level of interpersonal skills. You will be able to work cooperatively with a range of colleagues and be able to offer a proactive and creative approach to fundraising opportunities and supporter relations. You will have an organised approach to your work, with good attention to detail and excellent verbal and written communication skills. You will be able to use your own initiative and work unsupervised and have an empathy for the aims of NAWT.
You will have experience of the following:
- Relationship building with lots of different groups of people.
- Developing and prioritising your own workload and an ability to work to deadlines.
- The ability to be flexible and work as part of a team.
- Managing and maintaining supporter databases.
- Delivering presentations and talks.
Although not essential, experience or knowledge of fundraising, the local area and media/public relations would be beneficial for this role. Ideally the role is full time, but a flexible working pattern would be considered for the candidate with relevant experience.
As part of our commitment to making NAWT a great place to work, we offer access to the following employee benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Access to a free 24/7 support service providing support including legal, financial, emotional and medical advice.
Fundraising Officer - Berkshire employer: National Animal Welfare Trust
Joining the National Animal Welfare Trust as a Part Time Animal Care Assistant in Cornwall means becoming part of a compassionate team dedicated to animal welfare. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer generous benefits including 33 days of annual leave, a contributory pension scheme, and access to wellbeing resources, all within a supportive and inclusive work culture that values your passion for helping animals find loving homes.
Contact Details:
National Animal Welfare Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fundraising Officer - Berkshire
✨Get Involved with Local Charities
Dive into the local fundraising scene in your area! Volunteer for events or get involved with committees at organisations you admire. Not only will you gain experience, but you'll also make connections that could lead to that coveted full-time role at places like National Animal Welfare Trust.
✨Network through Fundraising Events
Attend fundraising galas, charity auctions, and networking events. These gatherings are perfect for meeting industry professionals and perhaps even landing an interview on the spot. Plus, if you mention how you love the mission of National Animal Welfare Trust, you’ll definitely make an impression!
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Don’t just sit back; actively connect with fundraisers on LinkedIn! Join groups related to fundraising development and share your insights or experiences, which can position you as a knowledgeable candidate for full-time roles. This is a platform where visibility really counts in our industry.
✨Showcase Your Passion through Content
Consider writing articles or creating posts about fundraising strategies, non-profit success stories, or your experiences in the field. Sharing this content can help establish your expertise and draw attention to yourself for full-time positions like that at National Animal Welfare Trust. It’s all about being visible and passionate!
We think you need these skills to ace Fundraising Officer - Berkshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the world of fundraising, we want to see your genuine enthusiasm for the mission that National Animal Welfare Trust supports. Be sure to weave in your personal connection to the cause in your cover letter. This isn't just a job for us; it's about making a difference, so let your passion shine through!
Highlight Relevant Experience:In your CV, focus on any past experience related to fundraising, community engagement, or donor relations. If you've organised events or developed marketing materials for a charity, make sure we see it front and centre. Quantify your achievements where possible—donor retention rates or funds raised can make a huge impact!
Use Engaging Language:When crafting your application, use engaging language that reflects the tone and values of National Animal Welfare Trust. We're looking for enthusiasm and creativity in how you present your experience. This is especially key in fundraising, where storytelling can connect potential donors with our mission.
Tailor Your Application:One size does not fit all! Make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter specifically for the Fundraising Officer - Berkshire role at National Animal Welfare Trust. Research us to understand our specific initiatives and align your skills with our goals. A personalised approach shows that you’re genuinely interested and willing to put in the effort—qualities we absolutely love!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Animal Welfare Trust
✨Display Your Passion for the Cause
Let’s face it, fundraising is all about passion! Show up to your interview with genuine enthusiasm for the mission of National Animal Welfare Trust. Share specific experiences that demonstrate your commitment to similar causes, and don't shy away from discussing why this role and this organisation matter to you.
✨Know Your Fundraising Strategies
Brush up on different fundraising strategies and tools that are common in the industry, such as grant writing, event planning, or online campaigns. Be prepared to discuss which methods you've used successfully before and how they could translate to your work at National Animal Welfare Trust.
✨Be Ready for Scenarios and Challenges
Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll have to talk about how you’d tackle potential challenges in fundraising. Whether it’s overcoming donor objections or streamlining donor processes, think about examples from your past that showcase your problem-solving skills.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Network Building
Fundraising is rarely a solo effort; collaborative skills are key! Talk about how you've worked with different teams to achieve fundraising goals, and mention any networks you have that could be beneficial for National Animal Welfare Trust. This shows you're not only a lone wolf but a team player with valuable connections.
