Fundraising and Communications Officer

Are you an experienced fundraiser and communicator skilled in creating compelling narratives and telling moving stories of impact and change We have a fabulous opportunity for you to use your creative and organisational skills to make a significant difference to young lives in Doncaster.

We are currently finalising our next Forward Plan with an ambition to create aninclusive vibrant community committed to everyone having a fair chance to discover who they are and what they can become. We currently work with children and young people aged 5 to 30.

Our priority programmes include support coaching for young people community activity sessions sustaining our accommodation provision for vulnerable young adults and establishing how we can best support more young people on the homelessness pathway. We have some great spaces that are in need of development and we expect that both capital and revenue funding will be included in your workload. We also look for smaller grants during the course of the year including for food for our residents and supplies for our art groups and we hope to recruit volunteers to assist with some elements of this work.

The core of your role will be in generating funds to support our work in general along with some of our specific projects and ambitions. You will be happy to take responsibility across the full cycle of fundraising and communications as needed.

Job Purpose

To oversee successful fundraising with a focus on grants and individual giving and to ensure effective communication that supports YMCA Doncaster in sustaining current work and launching new projects.

Main Responsibilities

• To create compelling long form content including website articles information for print material case studies media releases and similar.
• To create and update cases for support for YMCA Doncasters fundable projects and general running costs.
• To be responsible for an assigned portfolio of trusts foundations and similar developing knowledge of and relationships with those funders.
• To make strong applications to funders within the assigned portfolio matching YMCA Doncasters agreed cases for support with funders interests and requirements.
• To create publicise and monitor outcomes of new giving campaigns and / or fundraising events.
• To nurture key external stakeholders including potential supporters from the local business community the media and others as appropriate.
• To prepare and give presentations maintain ongoing contact and host trustee or representative visits where required as part of fundraising work.
• To devise efficient evaluation and monitoring systems which meet funder requirements.
• To oversee the accurate completion of returns and reports ensuring that funders are satisfied and funding continues.
• To keep comprehensive records in an agreed format from initial contact with a potential funder through to either the rejection correspondence or the funding agreement and subsequent monitoring and evaluation.
• To utilise email joiner sequences bulletins and round-ups to move people from a single connection towards being a warm and committed part of YMCA Doncaster.
• To work to a planned calendar of publicity and launches across all products and services.
• To ensure that staff and volunteers joining YMCA Doncaster are encouraged to contribute to positive communications and fundraising efforts.
• To supervise / oversee volunteers and less experienced staff engaged in fundraising and communications work.
• To co-ordinate the work of external providers where necessary for design and print advertising the website and similar.
• To ensure adherance to key messaging branding and voice across all external communications.
• To comply with fundraising and other legislation relevant to the role.
• To recommend updates to relevant policies in accordance with changes to legislation or operating practice.
• To report to the Chief Executive monthly in the required format.
• To approach the role with professionalism and to maintain appropriate boundaries with staff clients and others.
• Additional or other duties as necessary within your capabilities and status to meet the needs of YMCA Doncaster.

Person Specification

• A recent track record of success in successful fundraising through grants or individual giving demonstrating a positive return on investment.
• Educated to level three or higher.
• Understanding of the full cycle of grants fundraising including creating cases for support submitting applications responding to requests for information monitoring and evaluation.
• An understanding of the current UK grants / trusts climate and the types of funders likely to support YMCA Doncasters work.
• An understanding of the charity sector and the key issues for communications with stakeholders supporters and the broader public.
• Exceptional written communication skills a strong command of grammar and meticulous attention to detail.
• Experience of communications work ideally with experience of graphic design (we use Canva) and the use of WordPress.
• Self-motivated and self-supporting with the ability to work independently and deal with unexpected or challenging situations including short-notice opportunities.
• Able to supervise and support volunteers and others to complete fundraising and communications tasks.
• Computer literate able to use Microsoft Word and Excel to a high standard and able to use new technologies to improve efficiency.
• Experience of maintaining confidentiality and appropriate relationships.
• Able to represent the Association positively professionally and with credibility.