Fundraising Officer

This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a vibrant and enthusiastic Porchlight fundraising team, working to raise awareness and funds for the work Porchlight, a charity providing vital services for people who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless or struggling with their mental health in Kent, Medway and Bexley.

The successful candidate will be supporting the Corporate Fundraising Manager and Community and Events manager to raise income from businesses, community groups and individual fundraisers. The role will also support the development and promotion of Porchlight’s own fundraising events.

This role requires:

• To be the main point of contact for Porchlight supporters, providing support, advice, and encouragement and ensuring a high level of supporter care is achieved.
• To work closely with the Community and Corporate Fundraising Officer (CCFO), Senior Fundraising Officer, Community and Events Fundraising Manager and Corporate Fundraising Manager to roll out current and new fundraising initiatives to corporate and community supporters, ensuring long-term income potential.
• To represent and raise awareness of Porchlight by delivering talks and presentations to a range of businesses and community groups (including and not limited to schools, colleges and universities), to promote the work of Porchlight and create enthusiasm for undertaking fundraising activities.
• To help recruit, train and manage event volunteers and volunteer speakers to represent Porchlight at talks and events (internally and externally hosted) as well as promote and encourage involvement of Porchlight staff and clients in talks and presentations.
• To support the charity’s partnerships with businesses and community groups throughout Kent to facilitate and maximise fundraising activity.
• To attend in person or virtual meetings and events and maximise fundraising activity from corporate supporters and community groups in Kent and Medway.
• To attend functions and cheque presentations to collect income from corporate and community fundraisers, including businesses and local organisations.
• Fully engaging in photo opportunities that positively promote Porchlight and fundraising for Porchlight.
• To commit to individual objectives that support fundraising key performance indicators and ambitious fundraising department targets.
• To contribute to the development of new fundraising opportunities such as fundraising products.
• To work with colleagues in the Fundraising and Communications teams in communicating with supporters, including through postal mailings, e-newsletters and online updates.
• To ensure gift aid is maximised at all relevant opportunities, through promotion on sponsorship forms, collection envelopes and through other community-based activities.
• To ensure all supporters are thanked in a timely and appropriate manner, providing updates and contact as necessary.
• To ensure all records and files are maintained and accurate, through the utilisation of the Raisers Edge database.
• To provide support monitoring the fundraising phone line and inbox and processing corporate and community donations during busy appeal periods or as required.
• To be willing to work unsocial hours (including weekends and evenings) to support fundraising initiatives, activities, and events.

General responsibilities:

• To be proactive in reviewing and evaluating own performance and identifying and acting upon areas for improvement and development.
• To follow Porchlight’s policies, procedures, and performance expectations.
• To attend and participate in regular team meetings and other meetings as required in person or virtually where required.
• To perform any other duties consistent with the role and/or reasonably required.
• To implement Porchlight’s Diversity Policy in all functions of the post.

Porchlight is a charity supporting people who are homeless, vulnerable, and isolated. At Porchlight, we are passionate about helping vulnerable people to reach their full potential. We strive for a fairer society where vulnerable people find stability, the most excluded are included, and where homelessness and poverty are things of the past. Porchlight is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Porchlight is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

Benefits include:

• Generous annual leave entitlements
• Occupational maternity and support pay
• Employee assistance programme
• Access to mental health first aiders
• Sponsorship for professional qualifications