At a Glance
- Tasks: Support major gifts strategy and cultivate relationships with donors to enhance fundraising efforts.
- Company: Join The Donkey Sanctuary, a global leader in animal welfare dedicated to improving donkey lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days holiday, hybrid working, wellbeing initiatives, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; based in beautiful Sidmouth, Devon.
- Why this job: Make a real difference for donkeys while developing your skills in a dynamic charity setting.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills, excellent communication, and experience with data management required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships.
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, and we now have an exciting opportunity for a proactive team player with outstanding decision-making skills and a strong customer service ethic to join our dedicated Fundraising Department.
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 our supporter stewardship and cultivation activity in line with their capacity and propensity to donate, continuously evaluating performance.
About you
- Demonstrable experience of strong administrative and organisational support within a busy, fast paced environment.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to plan, organise, and prioritise workloads effectively and to coordinate and manage inputs from multiple stakeholders through to completion.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear, engaging, and professional communications.
- A confident verbal communicator, able to build positive relationships and engage with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong data management skills, and experience of working with databases or CRM systems.
- Experience of managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines, often across competing demands, whilst maintaining a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Able to support the planning and delivery of activities or events, including administrative and logistical coordination.
About the role
- 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.
- Maintaining accurate and up-to-date donor information on our CRM system.
What we offer in return
- This is a full-time, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 35 hours per week, 08.30-16.30, Monday-Friday.
- This role is nominally based at our site based in Sidmouth, Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
- We offer hybrid working, with the current requirement for site attendance estimated to be one day per week.
- We are keen to make the role work for you, and will consider flexibility if necessary (by agreement with the line manager).
- 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, including reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership, offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets, access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.
- Free parking.
- Subsidised restaurant and shop.
Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 5 July 2026. Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised date and therefore encourage early applications. The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer. The Donkey Sanctuary is 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 (2230) in Sidmouth employer: The Donkey Sanctuary
The Donkey Sanctuary is an exceptional employer, dedicated to animal welfare and fostering a supportive work environment in the picturesque setting of Sidmouth, Devon. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer generous holiday allowances, hybrid working options, and access to wellness programmes, ensuring our team members thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of donkeys while enjoying opportunities for growth and collaboration within a passionate and committed team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Major Gifts Officer (2230) in Sidmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation inside out! Research The Donkey Sanctuary's mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show genuine interest during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to fundraising and donor management. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace Major Gifts Officer (2230) in Sidmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for animal welfare shine through. We want to see how much you care about improving the lives of donkeys and how that aligns with our mission at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in fundraising and project management. We’re looking for someone who can juggle multiple priorities, so give us examples of how you've successfully managed similar tasks in the past.
Be Clear and Engaging:Your written communication skills are key! Use clear and engaging language to convey your ideas. Remember, we want to see that you can draft professional communications that resonate with our supporters.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity as a Major Gifts Officer.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Donkey Sanctuary
✨Know Your Donkeys
Before the interview, take some time to research The Donkey Sanctuary and its mission. Understand their vision for improving the lives of donkeys and be ready to discuss how your skills can contribute to this goal. Showing genuine passion for animal welfare will set you apart.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
As a Major Gifts Officer, you'll need strong project management abilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed multiple priorities or coordinated events. Be specific about your role and the outcomes to demonstrate your effectiveness.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Excellent communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You might even want to prepare a few engaging stories about your previous work that highlight your ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
✨Be Data Savvy
Since the role involves managing donor information and using CRM systems, brush up on your data management skills. Be prepared to discuss any relevant experience you have with databases and how you've used data to inform your decision-making in previous roles.
