Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team as a Major Gifts Officer, managing donor relationships and fundraising projects.
- Company: The Donkey Sanctuary is a leading animal welfare charity, impacting lives in over 35 countries.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive pension, 31 days holiday, and wellness perks like Pilates classes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while developing your skills in a supportive and dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in fundraising or customer relations, strong communication skills, and project management abilities required.
- Other info: Flexible hours available; part-time applications considered.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 42000 £ per year.
These are ambitious times for the Charity as we have recently launched a new strategy that sees us growing our impact across the world exponentially. We now have an exciting opportunity for a proactive and self-motivated Major Gifts Officer with outstanding decision making and multi-tasking skills to join the dedicated Fundraising Department.
Location: This role is nominally based in Sidmouth, Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – and offers hybrid working (fully remote/home working and flexible working patterns considered).
Hours: full-time, 35 hours per week, 08.30-16.30, Monday-Friday (Please note that we are happy to consider applications on a part-time basis – 28 hours per week over 4 days).
Salary: £30,515 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Wednesday 1 June 2025. However, we reserve the right to close this role early if a suitable candidate is found.
Interview Date: Interviews will be held in Sidmouth, during the week commencing Monday 23 June 2025.
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.
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 and KPIs.
About You
As Major Gifts Officer, you will have experience of supporting or managing mid value or major donors, high value or sensitive customers. You will have:
- A proven track record of meeting and exceeding fundraising/sales targets.
- Experience of working within a team environment with complex internal stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to build rapport and trust with donors.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience of writing successful bids (fundraising or sales) and summary reports.
- Strong research and prospecting skills.
- Project and event management experience.
Benefits include:
- Competitive pension.
- Life assurance – 2 x annual salary.
- Healthshield.
- 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.
- 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 Gifts Officer 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 Gifts Officer
✨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 and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the charity's mission and recent projects. Understanding their current strategy and impact will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in their work.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed donor relationships in the past. Highlight your achievements in meeting fundraising targets and how you cultivated those relationships over time.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the trends in major gifts fundraising and be ready to share innovative ideas on how to enhance donor engagement. Showing that you're proactive and knowledgeable about the field can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Major Gifts Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in fundraising, particularly with mid-value or major donors. Use specific examples that demonstrate your success in meeting fundraising targets.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for animal welfare and the mission of The Donkey Sanctuary. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Major Gifts Officer role, particularly in donor stewardship and relationship building.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent written communication is crucial for this role, include examples of successful bids or reports you've written. Highlight your ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively.
Research the Organisation: Familiarise yourself with The Donkey Sanctuary's projects and values. This knowledge will help you articulate why you're a good fit for the organisation and how you can contribute to their goals in your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at NFP People on behalf of The Donkey Sanctuary
✨Know the Organisation Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you research The Donkey Sanctuary thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your answers with their goals.
✨Demonstrate Your Fundraising Success
Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've met or exceeded fundraising targets in the past. Use metrics and outcomes to illustrate your success, as this role heavily relies on proven fundraising abilities.
✨Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills
As a Major Gifts Officer, building relationships is key. Be ready to share experiences where you've successfully built rapport with donors or stakeholders. Highlight your communication skills and how they contributed to successful partnerships.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. Think of scenarios where you had to manage multiple tasks or navigate complex stakeholder relationships, and be ready to explain your approach and the outcomes.
