Role Purpose
The Fundraising Manager will lead Rural Support’s income generation, business development and partnership activity growing corporate partnerships, individual giving, community fundraising and diversified income streams – to extend the reach of services and respond to growing demand, while maximising the value of public funding and supporting the long-term sustainability of the organisation.
Job Summary
The Fundraising Manager will be responsible for developing and delivering a diverse and sustainable income generation strategy, with a particular focus on corporate partnerships and business development, individual giving, and community fundraising. The role will build and manage a pipeline of corporate and agri-sector relationships, develop compelling partnership and sponsorship packages, grow a base of individual donors, secure co-investment and grant income that supports programme delivery and expansion, and support community-led fundraising activity across the farming and rural community. As a new role within Rural Support, the postholder will have the opportunity to shape and grow this area of work, with the potential to build a dedicated team over time. The postholder will work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, the Marketing and Communications Officer and wider staff team to ensure fundraising and partnership activity is well planned, well promoted and delivers strong return on investment, while maintaining the highest standards of donor care, stakeholder relationships and compliance. Specific annual targets and KPIs will be agreed with the postholder as part of the annual planning and appraisal process. These will reflect organisational priorities, income generation needs, service outreach, communications performance.
Key Responsibilities: Corporate Partnerships & Business Development
Develop and deliver a corporate fundraising and business development strategy to secure new partnerships and grow income from the corporate and agri-sector and other stakeholders connected to the farming and rural community.
Identify, research and approach prospective corporate and agri-sector partners, building a strong and well-managed pipeline of opportunities.
Design attractive, compelling corporate partnership and sponsorship packages that offer genuine value to businesses, including headline sponsorship, charity-of-the-year partnerships, payroll giving, cause-related marketing and employee fundraising.
Negotiate and secure corporate partnership agreements, co-investment, sponsorship and grant income, ensuring clear terms, deliverables and reporting are in place.
Identify and secure opportunities to leverage additional resources, from various sources, that support core activities and programmes contributing to a diversified and sustainable funding model linked to service delivery.
Account-manage existing corporate and agri-sector partners, ensuring excellent stewardship, regular communication and opportunities to deepen the relationship over time.
Support the development of collaborative initiatives in line with farm business resilience, farmer wellbeing, social farming, and other Rural Support programmes.
Work with the Senior Leadership Team to identify and progress new programme opportunities based on emerging need.
Build relationships across the agri-food industry and wider rural stakeholder landscape.
Key Responsibilities: Individual Giving
Develop and implement an individual giving strategy to grow regular and one-off donations from individual supporters.
Plan and deliver individual giving campaigns and appeals across digital and offline channels, including direct mail, email and social media.
Grow Rural Support’s supporter base and improve donor retention and lifetime value through excellent stewardship and supporter journeys.
Explore and develop opportunities in legacy giving, in-memory giving and major donor cultivation.
Strengthen relationships with supporters, partners and stakeholders more broadly to build trust and grow long-term giving.
Monitor and report on individual giving performance, using data and insight to inform future activity.
Key Responsibilities: Community & Supporter Fundraising
Develop a portfolio of community fundraising initiatives, working with supporters, volunteers, schools, clubs and rural organisations to organise their own fundraising events and activities.
Provide guidance, materials and support to community fundraisers and volunteers to help them maximise the funds they raise and have a positive experience.
Identify and develop signature Rural Support fundraising events and campaigns (e.g. challenge events, seasonal appeals) that can be replicated and grown year on year.
Build relationships with local businesses, agricultural shows, marts and rural networks to expand community fundraising reach.
Support the development of community fundraising initiatives and events that generate income, working with the Marketing and Communications Officer on promotion.
Key Responsibilities: Strategy, Data & Reporting
Contribute to the development of Rural Support’s overall fundraising and income generation strategy and annual income targets across corporate, individual, community and co-investment streams.
Work with the Senior Leadership Team to prepare accurate income forecasts, budgets and regular reporting on fundraising, partnership and co-investment performance against targets for senior management and the Board.
Maintain accurate donor, supporter, partner and stakeholder records, using the CRM/database to manage relationships and track income and engagement activity.
Track and analyse engagement, partnership and co-investment activity, ensuring timely and professional communication and follow-up with stakeholders and partners.
Ensure all fundraising and partnership activities comply with relevant fundraising regulations, codes of practice, safeguarding requirements and data protection legislation (e.g. GDPR).
Key Responsibilities: Collaboration & Representation
Work closely with Marketing and Communications Officer to ensure fundraising campaigns and corporate partnerships are well promoted across all channels, with partners receiving appropriate recognition.
Represent Rural Support at sectoral events, meetings and networking opportunities to promote fundraising, partnership activity and training and build new relationships.
Work closely with service delivery teams to ensure partnership and income generation activity is planned in collaboration with programme delivery.
Support the recruitment, coordination and recognition of fundraising volunteers where appropriate.
Support innovation in outreach approaches to increase engagement and income.
Support organisation-wide initiatives and projects as required.
Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure fundraising and partnership activity reflects and supports Rural Support’s wider mission and service delivery.
Other Duties & Working Arrangements
Act as an ambassador for Rural Support, positively promoting the organisation at all times, with strong presentation skills and a high level of professionalism when representing Rural Support at events and meetings.
Work occasional unsocial hours as required in support of events and fundraising campaigns, on a planned basis; a time off in lieu (TOIL) system operates.
Undertake any other duties reasonably related to the responsibilities of the post, as delegated by Rural Support management.
The postholder is expected to display a significant degree of personal initiative within an agreed plan and reporting structure.
Benefits:Group Life Assurance Medical Aid / Health Care Parking
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