Work with us
Living Paintings is a rewarding place to work where staff are able to make a real difference to the lives of the blind and partially sighted people we support. We sometimes have opportunities in our library, publishing and fundraising teams.
Please follow us on Facebook or Twitter to hear about opportunities. You can also find out about volunteering for Living Paintings here.
We are currently recruiting for a Fundraising Assistant. Please apply in writing with a covering letter and CV to David Beal, davidb@livingpaintings.org
JOB TITLE: Fundraising Assistant (full time)
Please apply in writing with a covering letter and CV to David Beal, davidb@livingpaintings.org
Closing date: 19th September 2021
LOCATION: Kingsclere, Berkshire
SALARY: 20K – £23K commensurate with experience
REPORTS TO: Trusts Fundraising Manager
ABOUT US
Living Paintings is an award-winning registered charity (no. 1049103) that publishes unique Touch to See books, bringing the visual world to life for blind and partially sighted people. Our books help children learn to read, support students in schools, inspire interests and enable lifelong learning for adults. Our purpose is to end the social and educational isolation suffered by blind and partially sighted people at every stage of their lives. We distribute our Touch to See books nationwide via our FREE postal library to more than 2,000 children, young people and adults living with sight loss.
This is an exciting time for Living Paintings following a 25% increased engagement in the last 12 months, we embark on a new growth strategy. We need someone to join us on this journey and work within our progressive and high achieving fundraising team long-term, to help us continue to benefit more blind and partially sighted people around the UK.
MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB
This is a great opportunity to join the fundraising team at our national charity based in Kingsclere, Newbury. We are looking for someone who is keen to use their skills, and/or learn new ones, in order to help us achieve our ambitious fundraising targets. The role will suit a person with drive and enthusiasm, who enjoys developing and sustaining relationships and is looking for variety. Excellent IT and written skills are needed as is an eye for detail. The role includes donor support including writing and sending funding requests and updates, maintaining accurate records using our database and systems, assisting with the delivery of our calendar of events including their preparation, delivery and follow up. The Fundraising Assistant will be situated in a small dedicated team, reporting to and supported by the Trusts Fundraising Manager. The role includes training and working with our volunteers and
supporters.
REMOTE WORKING
Some home working to begin with, the role could be based either in the main office in
Kingsclere, Berkshire, or a combination of home working and working from the office
(minimum 3 days per week office based).
DUTIES & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Build and maintain positive relationships with Trusts and Foundations and other external partners and stakeholders including individual givers.
- Maintain accurate records using the charity’s database and systems.
- Writing compelling funding requests to potential Trusts and Foundations donors (training will be offered as required).
- Support grant reporting processes as required by donors.
- Maintain a system to acknowledge receipt of all donations in an appropriate fashion and ensure that all necessary follow-up work is completed.
- Produce statistical and anecdotal reports on progress and results of activities for the CEO/line manager.
- Contribute to the creation and support of Living Paintings events.
- Supervise and support volunteers as appropriate.
- Maintain and develop data on the Living Paintings contacts database in line with GDPR regulations.
- Contribute to the writing and publication of collateral and online articles.
- Ensure that issues, concerns and problems are escalated as appropriate.
- Undertake specific projects that may be additional to the tasks detailed above as agreed with the Trusts Fundraising Manager or CEO.
- Be a positive representative of Living Paintings.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
| Required | Desirable | |
| Experience | · A minimum of 3 years relevant work experience (admin or fundraising). · Working collaboratively and effectively with a wide variety of people both internally and externally. · Knowledge of charity fundraising · Experience of carrying out research. | · Experience of using a CRM database. · Experience of working within a charitable organisation and/or organisation working with blind and partially sighted people. |
| Qualifications | · Educated to at least A Level or equivalent. | · Administration qualification · Fundraising or marketing qualification. · Educated to degree level or equivalent experience. |
| Skills | · Excellent time management and organisation skills, able to juggle and manage competing priorities. · Excellent attention to detail. · Good communicator, both written and verbal, with the ability to inspire and enlist the support of others. · Excellent team player. · IT skills, including word and excel and the ability to effectively use a fundraising/CRM database. · Able to work on own initiative. · Good numeracy. | · Project management skills. |
| Personal attributes | · Able to demonstrate empathy with, and to communicate to others the values and goals of a charity which supports people who are blind and partially sighted and their carers. · Drive and ambition to meet financial targets. · A positive and pragmatic approach. · Motivated to learn new things and contribute new ideas. | |
| Safeguarding | · Child safeguarding training will be provided. Living Paintings is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We expect all of our employees and volunteers to fully share this commitment. | |
| Eligibility to work in UK | · Proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK | |
| General | · Able to travel for work within the UK occasionally · Able to work flexibly to include evenings and weekends to meet the demands of the job | · Holder of a current driving licence |
Training: Training on the database and systems used by Living Paintings will be given. There may be opportunities for attendance at relevant external training and seminars, subject to business demands.
Travel: Living Paintings reimburses all additional business mileage and travel expenses.
Working Week: The working week is 35 hours, during Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm with one hour for lunch.
Occasional weekend and evening work will be required for which compensatory time off (TOIL) will be given.
25 days annual leave + UK bank holidays.
Contributory workplace pension with People’s Pension (on successful completion of 3 month probation period).
Please apply in writing with a covering letter and CV to David Beal, davidb@livingpaintings.org
Closing date: 19th September 2021
