Fundraising Volunteer

About Upendo Tena Initiative

Upendo Tena Initiative was set up in 2019 and officially registered as a National NGO in Kenya in 2023. We aim to enhance gender equality, to combat child exploitation and to raise awareness of mental health and well-being throughout Kenya, whilst supporting children to understand and access their fundamental human rights. Gender-based violence, inequality, trafficking & exploitation, harmful cultural practices, poor mental health, and a lack of trauma-informed support, continue to be significant concerns facing children and young people.

Our innovative hands-on workshop programme is delivered in a variety of settings across Kenya, including in both primary and secondary schools, in children’s rescue centres and in provisions for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Our workshop sessions are tailored to the particular needs of the community/group of children and young people. We have adapted our programme to specifically meet the needs of those with additional needs and/or disabilities to ensure that our programme is accessible. We also adapt our topics and area of focus depending on the identified gaps and needs that arise in individual counties and communities.

We currently work with children and young people from the age of 8 – 21, or up to the age of 25 for young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

You can read more about our work on our website.

Additionally, our LinkedIn and social media platform can be found: @upendotena

Role description:

As an NGO we are able to reach numerous children, young people and communities each year through our bespoke workshop programmes, thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. As a small NGO, we are hoping to build a network of fundraising volunteers, where each volunteer can put their individual expertise to use and can also develop new skills and experience.

The fundraising remit is quite wide and so we can be flexible regarding how volunteers would like to provide support. Our fundraising volunteers can have the exciting and varied role of helping plan and deliver local fundraising events to raise the vital funds needed to expand the reach of our workshop programmes. There is also the opportunity for fundraising volunteers to develop fundraising strategies and take a lead on grant proposals and applying for funding, if this is an area of interest. We welcome any knowledge of the fundraising sector within our team!

What are some of the things we are looking support with?

·       Planning fundraising events and activities such as; cake sales, summer/winter fetes, quizzes, raffles, clothes swaps, car boot sales, disco’s/parties, sporting activities (e.g sponsored bike rides or marathons), games nights, auctions etc. Any ideas you have would be very much encouraged and appreciated.

·       Contacting businesses and organisations that may be willing to donate (monetary, physical or systems based donations).

·       Contacting nurseries, schools, colleges or other businesses and organisations to raise awareness of the work of Upendo Tena Initiative and ask them if they would be interested in hosting/partaking in fundraising activities for us.

·       Researching for any upcoming grants or funding opportunities that Upendo Tena Initiative may be eligible to apply for.

·       Supporting with the applications for relevant grants and funding opportunities.

·       Providing the treasurer with information on funds raised from fundraising events etc.

·       Promoting the work and values of Upendo Tena Initiative.

·       Following both internal and external policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for any fundraising events.

What are the benefits?

·       A chance to be part of a small start up NGO with the opportunity to shape the direction of the fundraising team.

·       Join a vibrant and passionate team.

·       Meet new people and be part of a dedicated group of volunteers.

·       Develop new skills and expand your knowledge.

·       Regular 1:1’s and support from one of our Board Members.

·       Training opportunities.

What are we looking for in a Fundraising Volunteer?

·       Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

·       Team player.

·       Willingness to learn.

·       Openness, honesty and transparency.

·       Experience or interest in organising events and/or applying for funding opportunities.

·       Strong admin, IT and organisational skills.

·       Confident and able to work on one’s own initiative but within an agreed brief as part of a team.

·       Reliable and dependable.