Reporting to:Head of Philanthropy
Location:Welwyn Garden Citywith a possibility to work from home and London
Contract:Permanent; full-time (part-time may be considered)
About this Role:
We are looking for a Prospect Researcher with proven prospect skills and meticulous attention to detailto join the Philanthropy Team at Willow. This newly created postwill workacross the philanthropy, events and major partnerships teams to identify and research new prospects and provide key information on existing donor relationships and networks in order to ensure a more informed approach to our major giving fundraising. You will have demonstrable experience in providing clear and detailed prospect research presented in a consistent and conciseformat using key indicators.You are able to understand networks and the inter-relationships of individuals, companies, trusts and foundations. The role of Prospect Researcher is a strategically important role that will be key to Willow’s ambition to significantly increase income while adopting a more sustainable approach.
Person Specification
Essential Knowledge and Experience
•Proven experience of major donor prospect research leading to the securing of major gifts
•Extensive experience of working with fundraising databases and wealth screening with the ability to interrogate and extract data for profiles and reports
•Ability to present key prospect information, using structuredreporting templates
•Ability to understand networks and connections, linking relevant information
•Commitment to Willow’s cause and key values
•Ability to deal with confidential information sensitively and appropriately
•Excellent knowledge of fundraising regulation and governance, particularly relating to the handling and storing of personal and publicly available data
Desired Knowledge and Experience
•Experience of planning and managing donor cultivation and stewardship strategies
•Previous experience of working in an NGO/charity fundraising environment
•Relevant professional training or qualifications in fundraising research or related fields
•Well connected to appropriate professional groups and forums in the fundraising sector
Essential Skills and Abilities
•Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills
•Excellent customer/donor care and high attention to detail
•Analytical with the ability to streamline processes
•Ability to work to tight deadlines
•Ability towork on own initiative
•Excellent team-worker
•Willing to work evenings and weekends occasionally when required
Job Purpose & Key responsibilities:
- To devise and implement the prospect research strategy for the Fundraising Team in conjunction with team heads, directed by the Head of Philanthropy.
- To identify new individual major donor, trusts and foundations, corporate and celebrity prospects by carrying out high quality research using publicly available sources, databases, information from staff, supporters and contacts, and any other resources as appropriate.
- As part of a cross team effort, toidentify new prospects attending Willow’s flagship events and produce confidential briefing material for staff ahead of these events.
- To develop a thorough and detailed understanding of the inter-relationships and network of which our supporters are part.
- To advise on prospects' ability and propensity to give philanthropically and to rate prospects accordingly, including indicating estimated wealth and giving capacity.
- To be the gatekeeper of high quality prospect and donor intelligence using agreed research templates that offer information in a clear and concise manner.
- To draft detailed prospect profiles and meeting briefings for senior staff and volunteers (e.g. Board) and to keep these updated on a regular basis.
- To distribute research results timely, to record the information appropriately using Raisers Edge.
- To aggregate and update information on existing prospects and donors, maintaining the donor prospect database records on Raisers Edge.
- To manage the research resources such as MINT and Trustfunding.org, including identifying and evaluating potential new resources, managing the resource library and training colleagues in research resources as necessary.
- To identify and research competitors' activity and innovative ideas for fundraising.
- To produce monthly and quarterly reports, evaluating progress how research is impacting stewardship of relationships.
- To be the link between high quality prospect research and fundraising outcomes demonstrating effectiveness, good cross-team productivity/collaboration.
- To support managing Willow’s intern resource, identifying tasks and responsibilities supporting the work of the Philanthropy team.
Additional
- In close collaboration with the database and IT/Systems Manager, to support the day to day management of the database (Raiser Edge) in the relevant areas offundraising (corporate partnerships and philanthropy) to improve the efficient and effective storage and use of data and ensure data management complies with data protection and other fundraising governance and legal requirements.
- To undertake any other tasks as reasonably required.
- To support the Head of Philanthropy and Director of Fundraising and Communications from time to time, as required.
- To keep up to date on developments and trends in fundraising and voluntary sectors.
- To keep up to date and comply with fundraising, data protection and other relevant legislation and codes of practice and good standards.
General
We also offer the following competitive benefitspackage:
- 25 days annual leave
- Life Assurance and Group Pension Fund
- A free health cash plan
- Childcare vouchers
- Season ticket loan
- Cycle to work scheme
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Our Vision: young adults with life threatening illness and those close to them are able to take full advantage of what life has to offer.
Our Mission: to provide for young adults with life threatening illness and those close to them the motivation to take full advantage of life through memorable Special Days.
Our Values: to be effective, positive, innovative and compassionate.
ABOUT WILLOW
Willow is the only national charity working with seriously ill young adults aged 16 to 40 to fulfil uplifting and unforgettable Special Days. These Special Days enable them and their families to reconnect and refocus on each other while enjoying an activity of their choosing. A day for them, a day about them and a day that will create memories they will all treasure forever.
For some their Special Day is the opportunity to return some normality to their lives. For others it is the last chance to fulfil a dream. But for all, at what is the most difficult of times, a Special Day is a life-affirming experience that can lift spirits, reunify families and be a source of strength when it’s needed most.
Each Special Day provides a positive experience to be shared with a partner, parents, siblings, children or close friends. To date, Willow has provided more than12,500 Special Days for young adults diagnosed with a life-threatening condition such as cancer, motor neurone disease, cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease.
Founded by former Arsenal goalkeeper and TV presenter, Bob Wilson and his wife, Megs, Willow is a lasting memorial to their daughter, Anna, who died of cancer aged 31. Anna’s love of life and the enriching experiences of her own Special Days were the charity’s inspiration.
Willow is totally reliant on the generosity of individuals, companies, trusts and foundations to fund its work.
willowfoundation.org.uk