A Day in the Life of a Major Donor Fundraiser
One of the lesser-known fundraising roles is that of the Major Donor Fundraiser.
Sian Welfare, Philanthropy Officer at the MS Society, tells us what the role consists of…
What does a Major Donor Fundraiser do?
As a major donor fundraiser, my role is to secure large gifts for the charity.
A ‘major gift’ will vary from charity to charity, but at the MS Society, we class anything over £5,000 as a major donation.
There are three main facets to the role:
Managing and cultivating relationships with new and existing donors, ensuring that they are kept up-to-date with relevant news, and reporting back on the impact their gifts are making. We call this stewardship.
Working closely with Senior Volunteers by supporting their asks, discussing strategies, and exploring their networks
Maintaining and developing my understanding of the cause I’m raising funds for
What skills would you say are essential for the role?
Interpersonal skills are key (with internal and external stakeholders). You need to be able to talk to people from all walks of life. Also, asking for money can be a daunting prospect, but a solid relationship with the donor can make the ask easier.
Also, creativity is important. Sometimes, I need to come up with new and imaginative ways to ensure supporters remain interested, such as special events, new styles of communication etc.
The ability to write emotively and creatively is beneficial when contacting supporters.
You also need to have the drive to continue learning, as it never stops!
What does a typical day look like for you?
There isn’t one! I can do anything from writing a proposal, to meeting a supporter for a coffee, to coming up with a special thank you to acknowledge a donor’s support. Every day is different.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Making a difference to the MS community and sharing with donors the impact that their support has enabled.
What’s the most challenging thing about your job?
Some financial asks can take up to 18 months to solicit, which makes it incredibly hard to forward-plan.
What advice would you give a budding Major Donor Fundraiser?
Be prepared for rejection – it happens. But when you secure a significant gift, all the hard work is worth it!
About Multiple Sclerosis
Sian works for the MS Society, the UK’s largest charity for people affected by Multiple Sclerosis.
For the uninitiated, Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition (which means it affects the nerves).
With MS, the body’s immune system attacks the nerves that control various parts of the body. The symptoms and their severity vary from person to person. Common symptoms include muscle stiffness and spasms, numbness or tingling in different parts of the body, blurred vision or blindness, and problems with balance and coordination.
Some people with MS end up in a wheelchair or bedridden. Others have minor symptoms and live an ordinary life.
Find out more on the MS website. https://www.mssociety.org.uk/