Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major donor fundraising efforts and build strong relationships with supporters.
- Company: Join The Donkey Sanctuary, a leading animal welfare charity making a global impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive pension, 31 days holiday, and wellness perks like yoga classes.
- Why this job: Make a difference in animal welfare while developing your fundraising skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in major gifts fundraising and excellent communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible working patterns available; role based in beautiful Sidmouth, Devon.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 46000 £ per year.
These are ambitious times for the Charity after recently launching a new strategy that sees growing impact across the world exponentially. We have now have an exciting opportunity for a proactive and professional individual with outstanding relationship building and influencing skills to join the dedicated Fundraising Department.
Location: This role is nominally based at our site based in Sidmouth, Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – and we offer hybrid working. We are keen to make the role work for you, and will consider fully remote/home working and flexible working patterns, where required.
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, 08.30-16.30, Monday-Friday
Salary: £40,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Monday 26 May 2025. However, we reserve the right to close this role early if a suitable candidate is found. Interviews will be held in Sidmouth, during the week commencing 16 June 2025.
About the Role
As Major Gifts Manager, you will provide expertise in Major Gifts, successfully developing the programme in line with agreed annual targets and our Fundraising Strategy. You will work closely with the Head of Major Gifts to evolve and continuously improve the major gift activity, bringing an integrated approach across the charity to deliver the most donor-centric activity, whilst continuously evaluating performance.
Your principal duties and responsibilities will include:
- Inputting into and delivering the Major Gifts Strategy and improving the Major Gift portfolio and performance.
- Delivering and reporting on agreed projects, fundraising targets and KPIs.
- Proactively identifying and delivering new fundraising donors and income growth opportunities within Major Gifts.
- Leading on selected donor cultivation and stewardship projects to support sustainable income growth in Major Gifts, including events and other opportunities.
- Personally securing, managing and stewarding a portfolio of active Mid-Value, Major Donors and Charitable Trusts, forging and maintaining strong and enduring relationships.
- Supporting and growing the Major Gifts cultivation programme and pipeline to grow funders’ understanding of the diversity of the charity’s work.
- Being agile to changing market conditions and trends and working with the Head of Major Gifts to relay this into cultivation and stewardship.
About You
With experience of managing, cultivating, and delivering major gifts, and of planning future major gifts pipeline, you will have a proven track record of meeting and exceeding personal fundraising targets.
You will also have:
- A demonstrable record of building excellent stewardship and successful relationships with supporters at all levels including high net worth supporters, charitable trusts and other major donors.
- Well-developed knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, and interpretation of programme performance.
- Demonstrable experience of project budget management/reporting.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- The ability to multi-task and work with several conflicting demands and timescales.
Benefits include:
- Competitive pension.
- Life assurance – 2 x annual salary.
- Healthshield.
- 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service.
- Wellbeing team.
- Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
- Long service awards.
- Healthshield plan.
- Free parking.
- Subsidised restaurant and shop.
About the Organisation
The Donkey Sanctuary is 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.
Major Donor Fundraising Manager employer: NFP People on behalf of The Donkey Sanctuary
Contact Detail:
NFP People on behalf of The Donkey Sanctuary Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Major Donor Fundraising Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the fundraising sector, especially those who have experience with major gifts. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and mentors who can provide insights into the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the charity's mission and recent projects. Understanding their impact will help you articulate how your skills can contribute to their goals during interviews and networking opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your past successes in major donor fundraising. Highlight your relationship-building skills and any innovative strategies you've implemented to secure funding.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on trends in the charity sector, particularly around major gifts. Being knowledgeable about current challenges and opportunities will demonstrate your commitment and readiness for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Major Donor Fundraising Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in major donor fundraising. Emphasise your relationship-building skills and any successful fundraising campaigns you've managed.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for animal welfare and your understanding of the charity's mission. Mention specific examples of how you've met or exceeded fundraising targets in the past.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on key skills mentioned in the job description, such as communication, negotiation, and project management. Provide concrete examples of how you've demonstrated these skills in previous roles.
Showcase Your Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of the charity sector and the importance of major gifts. Discuss any trends or changes in the fundraising landscape that you are aware of and how they might impact the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at NFP People on behalf of The Donkey Sanctuary
✨Know Your Major Gifts Strategy
Familiarise yourself with the charity's Major Gifts Strategy and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to its success. Highlight your previous experiences in managing major gifts and how they align with the organisation's goals.
✨Demonstrate Relationship Building Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully built and maintained relationships with high net worth individuals and charitable trusts. Be ready to share specific stories that showcase your influencing skills and ability to secure major donations.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As communication is key in fundraising, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be prepared to discuss how you tailor your communication style to different stakeholders, ensuring you resonate with each audience.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and adaptability. Think about past challenges you've faced in fundraising and how you navigated them, especially in changing market conditions.
