How to get a career in fundraising: Part Two

In the first part of this two-part series, we described the different roles available in fundraising and common entry routes. In Part Two, we assess the transferable skills that makes for an amazing fundraiser, and provide advice for future candidates.

What are hiring managers looking for in a candidate for a fundraising role?

Experience isn’t a requirement but an interest and passion in the sector and the skills you can bring to the role! Technical experience is always necessary, we have a structured Learning and Development plan to help you learn the concepts associated with fundraising.

The transferrable skills that interviewers are looking for are:

  • Relationships building – in fundraising, you’ll be working with donors so it’s really important that you can engage with them and influence their decisions.
  • Team working – working across teams is an important part of the role.
  • Variety of people – from volunteers to senior leaders, are you confident and influential in your approach?
  • Communication skills, written and verbal – can you condense complex information, make it engaging and communicate well?
  • Project Management- it’s more than likely you’ll be overseeing various projects at the same time including so exemplary project management skills are crucial to success.
  • Problem solving – can you creatively come up with solutions to problems? How you approach challenges and come up with the right project to entice donors will make you stand out.
  • Organisational skills – the way you manage databases, deadlines and financial/target management.

Advice if you want to work in fundraising  

Understand the different roles offered within fundraising and decide where your skills and experience would be best placed.

Reach out to someone who works in fundraising (either internally or by using LinkedIn) and build your fundraising network.

If you don’t ask you don’t get – the required mindset in fundraising! Show interest in roles and ask for shadowing and work experience opportunities.

Gain volunteering experience to help show your interest in the field, you’ll learn a thing or two and have fun along the way as well.

Check out our current fundraising vacancies.

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