A charity fundraiser is responsible for raising money and awareness for charities and non-profit organisations. This role involves planning and organising fundraising campaigns and events, building relationships with donors, and working closely with the public and businesses to secure donations. Fundraisers may use digital marketing, social media, grant applications, and face-to-face events to reach their targets. The job is varied and can include tasks such as writing proposals, managing budgets, and reporting on campaign outcomes. Strong communication and organisational skills are essential, and the work can be highly rewarding as it directly contributes to making a positive difference in society.
The average salary for a charity fundraiser in the UK ranges from £20,000 to £35,000 per year, with senior roles reaching up to £50,000.
There are over 168,000 registered charities in the UK, employing around 900,000 people, many of whom work in fundraising roles.
The UK charity sector has seen steady growth, with fundraising remaining a crucial and in-demand skill for non-profit organisations.
Works with businesses to secure sponsorships, donations, and long-term partnerships to support the charity's projects and campaigns.
Organises local events and activities to raise money within the community, such as fun runs, bake sales, and sponsored challenges.
Researches and applies for funding from charitable trusts, foundations, and grant-making bodies to support specific projects or services.
Learn about what charity fundraisers do and the types of organisations they work for.
Read about different charities and the work they do. Look at charity websites, volunteer stories, and job profiles to understand what a fundraiser’s day to day work involves. This background knowledge will help you decide if this is the right career for you.
Practise your written and spoken communication, as fundraisers need to connect with people persuasively.
Join your school debating club, volunteer to speak at events, or help write newsletters for a local group. These activities will help you develop the confidence and skills needed to engage with donors and the public.
Volunteer for local charities or fundraising events to gain first-hand experience.
Many charities welcome volunteers to help at events or with day to day tasks. This gives you insight into how fundraising works and helps you start building a network in the sector. Even helping out at a single event can give you valuable experience.
Aim to get at least 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 including English and maths.
Good GCSE results are important for most entry level roles and further study. English and maths are especially valued, as communication and numeracy are vital skills for fundraisers.
Study A Levels, BTECs, or a relevant college course, such as business, marketing, or social sciences.
Subjects like business, marketing, public relations, or social sciences can provide useful knowledge for a fundraising career. Some universities also offer degrees in fundraising, charity management, or events management, which may help you progress further.
Look for jobs such as Fundraising Assistant, Charity Support Worker, or Events Coordinator.
Check job boards for charities, local authority websites, and national organisations for vacancies. Entry level roles will help you learn on the job and gain the experience needed to progress to more senior fundraising positions.
Connect with other fundraisers and join professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.
Attending networking events, workshops, and conferences will help you learn about best practice, new trends, and job opportunities. Joining professional bodies also demonstrates your commitment to the sector.
Seek further training and qualifications to progress your career.
You can complete short courses in fundraising, events management, or digital marketing. Ongoing development will help you move into specialist or management roles within the charity sector.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Charity Fundraiser. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Charity Fundraiser and a Welfare rights adviser both work closely with community members and charitable organisations to support individuals in need. Both roles require strong interpersonal skills, understanding of social issues, and the ability to advocate for clients or causes within the social services framework.
You can get into this job through:
You may be able to apply to do a Revenues and Welfare Benefits Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.
This is sometimes offered by organisations like housing associations and local councils.
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
You could start as an admin assistant with an advice organisation and gain experience before taking further training in welfare rights.
Some organisations offer trainee adviser roles. You might start out giving general advice and referring clients to relevant services, or help them to fill in forms.
Numeracy and literacy skills are very important. Employers also value good communication skills and the ability to understand complex written information.
Work in similar fields like community support or with a local authority can be helpful.
A common way to start is by volunteering in an advice centre.
As a volunteer, you would receive training in interviewing skills and advice topics, including welfare rights. It can take between 6 and 12 months to get enough experience to apply for jobs.
You can search for volunteering opportunities through:
You can apply to an advice agency for a range of different jobs, or for a trainee position.
Experience of supporting people with welfare rights issues can be helpful, for example:
Personal experience of dealing with the benefits system can also be useful.
A background in working with the public may also give you an advantage.
This might include:
Once working, your employer will give you training in welfare rights advice.
Gaining experience by volunteering or working in a related role where you support people on low incomes can give you an advantage when applying for jobs.
The ability to speak a community language or British Sign Language can be helpful for some work.
You could join the National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers for networking opportunities, access to resources and to share information on best practice.
You can find out more about working in welfare rights from:
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