Trust and Major Donor Fundraiser

Following its successful relaunch, the Air Cadet Charity is seeking a highly motivated Trust and Major Donor Fundraiser to help it achieve its aims of supporting and developing the young people of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Air Cadet Charity, until now, has had to rely on donations but Trustees have decided to expand our income generation streams in order to enable us to do more for each and every Royal Air Force Air Cadet. Our activities and projects include supporting flying, adventurous training, drone piloting, participation in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, national sports and national music competitions, BTEC qualifications, STEM development as well as many others. Although the Charity had been around in a different guise for many years this is an opportunity to join a vibrant young charity at the start of its new journey to do more for the young people of our Nation.

The role will focus chiefly on sourcing funding from charitable trusts who share our goal of developing our young people, equipping them with the skills to prosper not only in the present but also for the rest of their lives. Some cadets will join the Royal Air Force, but the majority go on to forge careers in all walks of life thanks to the opportunities provided by the Air Cadets and the Air Cadet Charity. Our policy is to spend all that we earn and to dip into our capital if required. Annual expenditure and income is around £900,000 each year and our aim is to increase this to around £1,500,000 by 2029. The successful applicant will have tried and tested charitable trust fundraising skills such that they contribute the majority of the additional funds required to make this ambition a reality although we recognise that this will not be an overnight goal!  In addition, the successful candidate will have outstanding interpersonal skills enabling them to encourage donations from major donors and all who would wish to support the development of our young people.

The role will work directly to the Charity Director, will suit someone who is able to work as the sole fundraiser – although there may be scope to increase our resources as our ambition grows – and not afraid of hard work and added responsibility. It will be primarily working from home with regular contact with the Charity Director and the Trustees responsible for fundraising.

Pitching, presenting and proposal writing should be a strength, that can be evidenced through successful fundraising. Specific knowledge of charitable trust fundraising is essential and wider knowledge of other fundraising specialisms would be advantageous, such as Major Donor and Corporate. We’re looking for a proactive and ambitious team player, able to work from your own initiative.

Key Focus areas

• Expert knowledge of charitable trust fundraising with a track record in designing and securing major gifts through written and/or verbal proposals.
• A track record in securing income from individual donors, Major Donors and Philanthropists including knowledge of legacy fundraising.
• Develop engaging supporter journeys and Legacy pipelines.
• Provide an exceptional experience to our supporters.
• Strong understanding of fundraising principles but most importantly doing the right thing at all times.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinker with exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.

Salary £35k-£40k per year pro-rata, 26 days annual leave (not including bank holidays).

Flexible hours and working from home. Full-time or part-time considered, 3-5 days per week - please specify your preference in your covering letter when applying.

Interviews to take place 7th and 8th November.

Previous applicants need not apply.