The Donkey Sanctuary
Major Donor Fundraising Manager
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Major Donor Fundraising Manager
These are ambitious times for the Charity and we now have an exciting opportunity for a proactive and professional individual with outstanding relationship building and influencing skills to join the dedicated Fundraising Department.
Position: Major Donor/Gifts Manager
Location:
East Devon, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty/Hybrid (site attendance currently estimated to be one day per week, flexible working patterns considered, where required)
Hours:
Full-time, 35 hours per week, 08.30-16.30, Monday-Friday
Salary:
£41,200 per annum
Contract:
Permanent
Closing Date:
Wednesday 26 August 2026.. Please note this role may close earlier than advertised so apply as soon as possible.
About the Role
As Major Gifts Manager, you will drive the development and delivery of the Major Gifts programme in line with agreed annual targets and the wider Fundraising Strategy. Working closely with the Head of Major Gifts, you will continuously evolve and strengthen the approach, ensuring a highly joined-up, donor-centred model across the organisation, focusing on deepening high-value relationships, increasing sustainable income, and building a strong, forward-looking pipeline of support.
Your principal duties and responsibilities will include:
- Inputting into and delivering the Major Gifts Strategy and improving the Major Gift portfolio and performance.
- Delivering and reporting on agreed projects, fundraising targets and KPIs.
- Proactively identifying and delivering new fundraising donors and income growth opportunities within Major Gifts.
- Leading on selected donor cultivation and stewardship projects to support sustainable income growth in Major Gifts, including events and other opportunities.
- Personally securing, managing and stewarding a portfolio of active Mid-Value, Major Donors and Charitable Trusts, forging and maintaining strong and enduring relationships.
- Supporting and growing the Major Gifts cultivation programme and pipeline to grow funders’ understanding of the diversity of the charity’s work.
- Being agile to changing market conditions and trends and working with the Head of Major Gifts to relay this into cultivation and stewardship.
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About You
We are looking for someone with experience of managing, developing, and delivering major gifts programmes, including trust and foundation income.
You will have:
- Proven ability to cultivate and secure new major gifts, alongside building and managing a robust future pipeline.
- Extensive experience of building and stewarding effective relationships with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, charitable trusts, and major donors.
- A well-developed understanding of monitoring, evaluation, and performance analysis to inform decision-making.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage clearly, confidently, and diplomatically with a range of stakeholders.
- Strong track record of consistently meeting or exceeding personal fundraising targets.
- Advanced influencing skills, with the ability to deliver objectives through collaboration with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
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Benefits
- Competitive pension.
- Life assurance – 2 x annual salary.
- 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service.
- Wellbeing team.
- Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
- Long service awards.
- Healthshield plan.
- Free parking.
- Life assurance.
- Subsidised restaurant and shop.
About the Organisation
Join one of the UK’s largest international animal welfare charities, currently supporting projects in over 35 countries worldwide, working for a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued.
The Charity is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults) and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.
You may also have experience in areas such as Major Donor, Major Gifts, Philanthropy, Major Donor Fundraiser, Major Gifts Fundraiser, Philanthropy Fundraiser, Major Donor Fundraising Manager, Major Gifts Fundraising Manager, Philanthropy Fundraising Manager, Major Donor Fundraising, Major Gifts Fundraising, Philanthropy Fundraising.
Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP
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