The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 85

Charities 1 33 Monday September 28 ig.98 The Guardian These are stormy days for cash-strapped charities. Liza Ramrayka looks at one way out Funder enlightening most attractive graduate for fundraising posts is likely to be "a very good administrator, ideally with a year to 18 months of com mercial experience The NSPCC, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, is one charity which relies heavily on fundraisers. Often the public feel that the Government should be funding mental health or disability charities, so it can be hard work for the fundraisers." Then there is the thorny question of remuneration. According to a recent salary survey by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, the average basic salary of a fundraising director of a small charity, with turnover of less than 100,000, is the same job at a 10 million-plus charity pays 43,000. Many charities, particularly smaller ones, just cannot compete with commercial sector pay levels.

fundraising, with 85 per cent of il 46' million income coming from man or woman shaking a tin on the street is still important, but charities are now looking for people with strong marketing skills." One of the obstacles facing charities in recruiting fundraisers is persuading people from other sectors that their skills arc transferable. Fundraisers may seem like a homogenous bunch, but scratch the surface and you find a whole host of specialists, from European grant experts to City-literate corporate specialists. Charity People runs part-time training courses for people who want to transfer their skills to the voluntary sector. Executive director Elaine Smethurst says many of those attending the courses are at first unaware of their fundraising potential. "A lot of people don't realise that there are all sorts of different jobs within fiindraising where they can use their skills.

For example, someone with a background in conferences would be good for events fundraising; someone with experience of encouraging people in groups, like a teacher or acom-munity worker, would be good for a community fundraising job." Another problem can be the nature of the work. Melville-Brown says: "There are always going to be charities who find it hard to raise funds, which could deter potential knack for persuading i people to part with their cash, while making tliem H'el good about it, might ijust get you a job with a charity. While the voluntarysector has staff shortages across the board, the most pressing need is for fundraisers. It is a problem which has prompted the Guardian, together with recruitment consultancy Charity People, to host a series of'seminars to raise awareness of fundraising as a career. Honey Melville-Brown, career development service manager at Charity People, says charities are finding it increasingly difficult to attract money from traditional sources.

As a result, they are having to look at other, possibly more sophisticated means of fundraising. "It is generally recognised that we're not in the easy eighties any more. Companies are expecting more for their money and the general public is looking for more accountability from the donations they make to charities," she says. While flag days and celebrity galas are still the cornerstones of many charities' fundraising efforts, others have realised that areas like cause-related marketing can pay dividends. Melville-Brown says: "Fundraising is becoming more professional.

The Melville-Brown "-'-4 claims that salary is not voluntary donations lastyear. It has a large fundraising department, with specialists in everything from corporate donors and events to legacies and sponsored bicycle rides. It also runs a one-year graduate recruitment scheme for fundraising, which offers two people the chance to learn the ropes. Interns work on short-term projects within each fundraising department, and do a placement in one of the NSPCC's regional offices. "Many of the trainees stay on if there is a job going, and a few will continue their career with NSPCC," says campaign director Angela Guff.

She cites the case of one former trainee who worked his way up, via a stint as head of regional appeals, and is now himself a campaign director at head office. Charities need to highlight the similarities between fundraising skills and those required by other careers, says Cluff. "The scc- mm i mm wm always the motivating tMi factor for joining a char-jfeiii ity. "Charity employees are working for a different reward package. It's not just more fulfilling work; you also get more job-share and part-time posts in the sector." While fundraising jobs may appeal to people at later stages of their careers, Charity People has detected increased interest from recent graduates.

"The sector has professionalised itself and can now offer a more structured career path," savs Melville-Brown. She thinks the tor has to look at how it advertises fundraising jobs, and think about whether it is communicating the skills it needs in the right way." Tickets are still available for the seminars in London on October 26, November 10 and November 30. Price C12. For reservations call 01 71 -636 1 006, quoting ref. 5633A.

SCIENCE MUSEUM Women'sAid FEDERATION OF ENGLAND Working to end violence against women and children National Fundraising Co-ordinator 21,357 plus generous benefits 45 days holiday, flexible working Bristol based Women's Aid is the leading national organisation working to support women and children experiencing domestic violence. We are looking for a National Fundraising Co-ordinator to develop and lead our fundraising forward into the next millennium. Working in corporate, trust and statutory fundraising, the ability to secure and develop relationships with key funders will be essential. You will need at least 2 years proven track record in a fundraising, marketing or sales role where you have been responsible for developing new business. For an application pack please call the Charity People Response Centre quoting reference WA6258B on 0171 636 1006.

Fax. 0171 323 1839. e-mail, responsecharitypeople.co.uk Closing date- 16th October 1998. Women only need apply (Section 7 ii) (d) SDA 1975). Women's Aid is striving to be an Equal Opportunities Employer PENYQRAiq Community ProJfct I CKttS Stef! ffNitAAiG HONDO WOC.I ajwjtL.Arj Cf 11D ttimiONf XMtlUWX) rAfci! NO wow Fundraising Manager plus benefits NMSI Trading Limited is the commercial and marketing arm of the National Museum of Science Industry, it operates independently but in close conjunction with the Museum to develop its commercial potential and to generate income.

The Corporate Relations department is responsible for contributing to the generation of income through sponsorship and non-corporate fundraising. The Corporate Relations department requires a Fundraising Manager to help generate this income by actively seeking funds from Trusts, Foundations, the Lottery and other grant-giving organisations. Working individually and as part of a team, the postholder will also be expected to develop fundraising applications, service the requirements of existing non-corporate funders. actively promote future projects at the Museum and establish and maintain relationships with potential donors and grant-giving organisations. Interpersonal, communication and organisational skills are essential for this post as is a proven track record in Trust fundraising or a similar fund-seeking profession.

The working environment within the Corporate Relations department is very demanding and therefore the ability to effectively and efficiently manage and interpret information is imperative. CVs please by 9 October 1 998. to the Personnel Administrator, NMSI Trading Ltd, Science Museum, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2DD. If you have not heard by 30 October 1998. you should assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

NAitSI Trading Ltd is on equal opportunities employer. It is a condition of acceptance of advertisement orders that the proprietors of The Guardian do not guarantee the insertion of a particular advertisement on a specified date, or at all although every effort will be made to meet the wishes of advertisers; further they do not accept liability for any loss or damage caused by any error or inaccuracy in the printing or nonappearance of any advertisement, edit or delete any objectionable wording or reject any advertisement. Although every advertisement is carefully checked, occasionally mistakes do occur. We therefore ask advertisers to assist us by checking their advertisements carefully and advise us immediately should an error occur. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for more than ONE INCORRECT insertion and that no republication will be granted in the case of typographical or minor changes which do not aflect the value of the advertisement.

To ensure consistently high service levels, calls are randomly monitored by a sales manager. Fundraiser THE JEWISH MUSEUM FUNDRAISER DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (FULLPART TIME) required for one of Anglo-Jewry's premier cultural institutions A successful track record in fundnnsine and knowledge of the Jewish community essential. For details please semi an A4 SAE to: The Director, The Jewish Museum, 129-131 Albert Street, London NW1 7NB. Closing Date: 13 October 1W8 Penygralg Community Project, Rhondda, South Wales Salary Scale We are a major charity working primarily with young people and families in the South Wales Valleys. Wc nceda highly motivated person to take forward the work of our Fundraising Strategy and to build support from trusts, businesses and individuals throughout the UK.

You will need: excellent creative and organisational skills, with masses of self motivation and drive a knowledge of the charity or not-for-profit sector some relevant experience and a proven crack record in fundraising a current driving licence In return we can offer you flexible workingpatterns.au exciting working environment and the chance to make a difference to peoples' lives. For further information and an application form please write, fax or email: Richard Morgan, Penygralg Community Proicct. I Cross Street, Ponygralg.Tonypandy, Rhondda, CF40 ILD. Telephone: 01443 438770 Fax: 01443 441443 Email: Rlchardpcpcat.demon.co.uk Closing date for applications: Monday 1 9 October Korean MarketingTranslation Manager required by lion.il Sporting Organisation to further develop our market in Korea. The ideal candidate should be fluent botli written and spoken in Korean and English and should have had previous experience of marketing in the Far East as well as the ability to translate and produce both commercial and Icagal documentation.

Candidates should also have an in depth knowledge of Korean sports and its legislation and be computer literate. Salary 30,000. Please forward your C.V. to Miss Amanda Challoner, 1 A Aubert Highbury, London NS 11.