Fundraiser

Location: Halewood, Merseyside

Hours: 40 hours a week

The post will require regular travel within the region and occasional travel across the country, as well as some evening and weekend work

Merseyside Dogs Home

We are the only rescue on Merseyside dealing with local stray dogs, relying totally on public support. We receive no government or lottery funding, which means we rely on donations from our supporters to continue our vital work rehabilitating and rehoming the unclaimed and unwanted stray dogs in this area.

We also provide education to the local community by visiting schools and educational establishments to talk about responsible pet ownership and to local dog owners by providing monthly consultation days with Kennel Club trainers. We provide activity days open to members of the public, as well as pioneering a pets-as-therapy programme in collaboration with the local homeless Whitechapel centre (Liverpool) to help vulnerable people’s rehabilitation. This is because we recognise the importance and benefits of human-dog interaction.

Role

Are you already an experienced fundraiser? Along with our existing fundraiser, the aim of this role is primarily to promote the work of Merseyside Dogs Home to key audience groups, supporting fundraising from a diverse range of sources including major donors, corporates, individuals, events and legacies. They will support all aspects of fundraising at the dogs’ home, providing first-class customer care for all supporters. This is an exceptional opportunity for an intelligent, organised and creative fundraiser who is looking for their next step in a career.

Duties

  • Designing and implementing the fundraising strategy
  • Face to face and over the phone membership promotion
  • Working with external suppliers, ensuring quality and budget compliance
  • Promoting Legacy and SOS card scheme
  • Designing and developing Merseyside Dogs Home publications and resources
  • Overseeing income streams such as corporate fundraising
  • Fundraising administration
  • Maintaining Merseyside Dogs Home’s website and social media sites
  • Liaising with fundraising volunteers
  • Running/assisting with fundraising events including Bark in the Park (this will include driving dogs home vehicles including van)
  • Responding to members of the public
  • Responsible for collection box programme
  • Overseeing media activity and advertising projects
  • You will be expected to carry out any other general duties as directed and to cooperate with members of staff as required

Person specification

Essential:

  • Educated to degree level
  • Experience in a paid fundraising role for a minimum of 1 year
  • Donor-focussed, strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
  • Computer literate including database management skills
  • Sympathy and enthusiasm for the aims of Merseyside Dogs Home
  • Knowledge of the local area
  • Willing to work weekends for events
  • Full driving licence
  • Experience in customer facing role
  • Excellent relationship-builder with donors, solicitors and other relevant parties
  • Creative and imaginative ideas for promoting legacies and the SOS Card Scheme
  • Able to work independently and as part of a team
  • Very organised
  • Able to develop and prioritise own workload
  • Able to work well under pressure and to deadlines

Desirable:

  • Telesales experience
  • Media/public relations experience
  • Experience of giving presentations/talks
  • Knowledge of legacy marketing
  • Experience of managing volunteers
  • Experience of trust and grant applications
  • Experience using fundraising databases

*The SOS Card Scheme is run by Merseyside Dogs Home and provides a free service to dog owners, whereby we will care for and rehome the dog at one of our rehoming centres should the owner pass away. The owner needs to register on to the Scheme, carry the card and mention the care of the dog in their Will.