Fundraising Assistant
Starting salary
Reporting to
Based
Hours of work
Holiday
Notice period
Term
£15,000
Head of Fundraising
Cambridge, but with frequent trips to London for concerts and meetings,
and other travel as necessary
9am–5.30pm Monday–Friday, but this post also involves attendance at
some concerts and meetings in the evening and at weekends
There is no paid overtime but time-in-lieu is given for weekend days worked
28 days per year, taken in co-ordination with other members of staff and
including public holidays, plus three days between Christmas and New Year
1 month after an initial six-month probationary period during which the
notice period is two weeks on either side
1-year fixed-term contract, in the first instance.
Introducing the Academy of Ancient Music
“The finest period-instrument orchestra in the world” (Classic FM, 2012)
“Transmitting the kick of an energy drink” (Financial Times, 2012)
The Academy of Ancient Music exists to enrich people’s lives with historically-informed baroque
and classical music at the highest international standard in live performance, on record and through
educational work.
It specialises in performing baroque and classical music in an ‘historically-informed’ manner, on
instruments and in styles appropriate to the period when the pieces were composed. Since its
establishment by Christopher Hogwood in 1973 it has given concerts on every continent except
Antarctica, has broadcast on major radio stations worldwide, and has won countless awards for over
300 recordings.
Richard Egarr — a leading light in the next generation of early music exponents — succeeded
Hogwood as Music Director in 2006. Under his leadership the orchestra has given hundreds of
concerts across five continents, has recorded twelve new CDs which have won Edison, Gramophone
and MIDEM awards, and has launched the AAMplify new generation programme to develop the
audiences, musicians and arts managers of the future. The orchestra is currently on a roll: in 2011 it
secured regular funding from Arts Council England for the first time in its history, worth over half a
million pounds between 2012 and 2015; in January 2012 it was appointed as Associate Ensemble at
the Barbican Centre, where it will give all of its London concerts from September 2013; in June 2012
it played a leading role in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and throughout the summer of
2013 it is Resident Ensemble at the National Gallery, playing a central role in the Gallery’s ‘Vermeer
and Music’ exhibition, which is predicted to be seen by over 80,000 visitors. It is currently working
towards the establishment of its own record label, as well as a 40th anniversary gala to be held at
Hatfield House and which will be attended by 250 people.
Fundraising at the Academy of Ancient Music
As with any arts organisation, fundraising plays a pivotal role in the day-to-day activity of the
charity. However at the AAM, perhaps more so than in many other similarly-sized organisations, the
importance of individual donors is paramount. Until 2012 and throughout its 38 years of existence
the AAM thrived without any public funding: our work was supported through the extremely
generous support of a range of individuals whose passion and care for period-instrument
performance and baroque and classical music formed the foundation upon which the AAM
operated. The AAM Society is the backbone of the organisation’s income and its regular giving
offers us consistent and reliable support.
The artistic quality and breadth of the orchestra’s work remains at the very highest international
standard and this was endorsed in 2011 when Arts Council England invited the AAM onto its
national portfolio for the first time — and that in a climate of reduced public subsidy. This public
subsidy support has only gone to encourage yet more individual support and the AAM now enjoys
an enviable mix of public, private and trust & foundation funding. We are in the process of further
building the support at both ends of the continuum, developing a lower-level friends scheme and
instigating legacy opportunities which will contribute to an endowment.
Recent highlights for the AAM have included our new appointment as Associate Ensemble at the
Barbican Centre; the orchestra’s participation in Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the
River Thames; the launch of AAM Records – the orchestra’s own record label; and our summer
residency at the National Gallery as part of the ‘Vermeer and Music’ exhibition. Future artistic
collaborations include projects with Andreas Scholl, Richard Tognetti and Alina Ibragimova
alongside the beginning of a three year cycle of Monteverdi operas conducted by our Music Director
Richard Egarr.
The 2013–14 season sees the AAM celebrate its 40th anniversary, and an anniversary appeal will be
launched in mid-September 2013 with the aim of raising £3 million by 2016. The first £2.5 million
will fund the orchestra’s work over the period 2013–16, and the additional £500k would support its
work in the years beyond and form the basis of an endowment. Of this £3 million, £1.25 million is
either raised already, pledged, or expected in gifts from regular donors and funders. The balance is
the responsibility of the Academy of Ancient Music’s fundraising department.
About the role
The purpose of this role is to provide support to the AAM’s fundraising department, particularly in
the following areas:
Friends of the AAM
Lead on the Friends scheme, maintain an appropriate level of dialogue with the Friends, deliver
events specific to them and grow the numbers of Friends. Ensure close liaison with AAM Society so
as to not cannibalise higher level giving. In discussion with AAM Communications department, edit
the quarterly Friends newsletter.
Administrative support
Provide administrative support to the Fundraising department: writing thank you and
acknowledgement letters, drafting renewal letters, preparing gift aid information, AAM Society
dinner liaison and table plans, restaurant bookings. Close liaison with Head of Finance to ensure coordination between money received and money banked is identical.
Database management
Detailed use of fundraising software Donor Strategy, ensuring all records are up to date and 100%
accurate. Develop the AAM’s use of Donor Strategy especially maximising its reporting
functionality.
AAM Development Board and Fundraising Committee
In liaison with the Head of Fundraising, co-ordinate the diary and paperwork for AAM Development
Board and Fundraising Committee meetings.
Trust & Foundation, Corporate and individual prospecting
Working with the Fundraising Manager, research and draft applications to appropriate, individuals,
trusts and foundations and corporate bodies to secure financial support for the AAM. It is expected
that numerous approaches will be made by the AAM across the year. Once support has been
secured, this role will be responsible for drafting the information which will report back to and
continuing to build the relationship with these donors. Undertake desk-based research as required.
40th anniversary Gala
Working with the Head of Fundraising, Gala Committee Chair and external consultant, prepare and
help deliver a successful 40th anniversary Gala in June 2014 at Hatfield House.
Event management
Offer support to the Fundraising department for all donor events. Attendance at most events is a
pre-requisite, together with follow-up to ensure continued good donor management.
Person Specification
 Educated to at least A-level (or equivalent) standard or higher
 Highly computer literate and the willingness to learn new computer skills, especially Donor
Strategy software.
 Meticulous organisational skills and an excellent eye for detail
 High quality written skills are a pre-requisite as is attention to detail and an ability to identify
the most appropriate information from which fundraising ideas and decisions will be
developed.
 Efficient and well organised, able to juggle numerous tasks, many with similar timeframes and
deadlines
 Excellent and confident communication skills, both in writing and speech.
 Well presented with a can-do attitude. Able to mix with a wide range of people at differing
levels of society.
 Interest and/or knowledge in the arts, baroque and classical music and orchestras is desirable
but not essential
The successful candidate will feel relaxed and comfortable relating appropriately to people from all
parts of society, including individuals who financially support the work of the AAM at significant
levels.
You will have many opportunities to grow professionally in this post — we are looking for someone
with outstanding potential to develop into a key ambassador for the AAM among a wide range of
stakeholders.
Academy of Ancient Music strives to be an equal opportunities employer.
How to apply
If you’d like to apply, please send a covering letter and a CV (each no more than one side of A4), plus
names of two referees (with details of when in the process we may contact them) by email to
Samantha Martin (s.martin@aam.co.uk ). Your letter should convince us of why you are suitable
for this post. Please submit your application by 9am on Monday 9 September: unfortunately we are
unable to consider applications submitted after this point.
Interviews will take place on Monday 16 September in Cambridge. We regret that no travel
expenses can be provided.