Philanthropy & Corporate Partnerships
Job Title:
Philanthropy Officer (Major Gifts)
Reporting to:
Head of Philanthropy & Corporate Partnerships
Location:
Dogs Trust London (Head Office)
New post:
January 2015
Summary
Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. We care for around 17,000 stray and abandoned dogs
each year through our network of 21 rehoming centres across the UK and Ireland.
We are reliant on voluntary donations in order to continue our work. As part of this, Dogs Trust receives
some large donations from charitable trusts/foundations, corporate partners and wealthy individuals
(major donors). There is potential to increase funds from these sources significantly in order to continue
the expansion of our work.
As a result, Dogs Trust is seeking a Philanthropy Officer with a solid track record of reaching financial
targets, working with high net worth individuals to cultivate prospects and secure six figure gifts. In this
role you'll contribute to the development and growth of the philanthropy programme, supporting the
Head of Philanthropy in cultivating and stewarding existing and new major donors, working alongside an
existing Philanthropy Officer and Assistant.
You will research and identify new prospects to build a pipeline, produce research briefs and map
networks to establish and suggest appropriate methods of approach. You will lead on a series of
cultivation events to introduce new prospects to Dogs Trust, be comfortable in making the ask and ensure
all major donors receive the highest standards of donor care.
Duties
You will report to the Head of Philanthropy & Corporate Partnerships and the role will include but not be
limited to:

Support the Head of Philanthropy in delivering the major donor elements of the fundraising
strategy.

Manage a portfolio of existing major donors and prospects, and ensure a first class cultivation
and stewardship journey with Dogs Trust which sets us apart from other charities in our sector.
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
Support the Head of Philanthropy and CEO in attending meetings with existing and new donors,
write letters of inquiry, concept papers and proposals; and prepare budgets to accompany
proposals.

Coordinate an annual programme of events/ cultivation for major donors (including one-to one
meetings, roundtables and dinners, events at our rehoming centres through to larger fundraising
galas).

Plan and design a targeted contact strategy and an innovative and personalised suite of
communications for major donors, utilising and building on materials used across Dogs Trust.

Work with the Ambassador Relations Manager to ensure Ambassadors and celebrity supporters
of Dogs Trust are utilised fully to support major donor fundraising.

Coordinate internal major donor workshops with relevant staff across Dogs Trust to ensure
regular and meaningful contact with major donor prospects.

Work with various staff across Dogs Trust to ensure agreed promotional opportunities and
monitoring and evaluation commitments are adhered to for any funding secured from major
donors.

Fully utilising the annual calendar of events for prospect cultivation and the travel schedules of
key staff such as the CEO.

Ensuring that the maintenance of Dogs Trust databases for major donors is kept up to date.

Undertake administrative responsibilities related to new funding being secured including liaising
with Donor Administration and Finance teams to record new income and ensuring all funding
agreements are signed and returned on time.

To contribute to and provide regular updates across the organisation to ensure major donor
activity is embedded across the organisation and is aligned with the wider plans and objectives of
Dogs Trust.

Any other reasonable duties as may be agreed from time to time.
Person Specification
About you
Essential:
 Proven track record of personally securing 6 figure major gifts from individuals in a charity
environment to meet agreed targets.

Proven experience of 'making the ask' and supporting senior staff, volunteers and trustees to do
so.

Demonstrable experience of writing successful, inspiring, emotive and technically accurate
proposals, tailored to a major donor audience.
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
Articulate, persuasive and credible with all audiences, including those at the highest level both
within the organisation and outside of it.

Experience of delivering a range of events for an NGO or equivalent, including responsibility for
event logistics.

Ability to write clearly and concisely, and to tailor written style to the needs of different donors.

Ability to research and match criteria from donors to match these with Dogs Trust activities.

Strong numeracy skills and the experience of preparing budgets.

A clear understanding of why outcomes are important to donors and ability to present proposals
with a focus on outcomes.

Good organisational skills, and competent in the use of Word, Excel and databases. Previous
experience of Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge is desirable but not essential.

A dedicated team worker, but also able to work on own initiative.

Willingness to travel and work irregular office hours from time to time, for an evening events or
breakfast meetings.

A commitment to the aims and values of Dogs Trust
Desirable:
 Knowledge of high net worth individuals working in or interested in animal welfare issues.

Experience of relationship management with VIPs/ celebrities.

Experience of securing gifts from major donors outside of the UK.
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