Fundraiser

The University of Kent is delighted to announce the introduction of this new, expert-led apprenticeship for passionate individuals who are looking to progress their career in fundraising.

Benefits of the programme

The Level 3 Fundraiser Apprenticeship programme will provide apprentices with the skills, behaviours and knowledge to identify, build and maintain relationships to raise financial (such as funds) and non-financial support (such as raising awareness) for their charitable cause.

Our programme will ensure that apprentices have a thorough understanding of the different sources of income including major gifts, legacies, events, corporate partners, Trusts and Foundations, community and individual giving. Apprentices will learn how to contribute towards the implementation and execution of fundraising strategies, projects and plans. They will feel confident in areas such as conducting internal and external analysis and research, data management, stewardship, finance, communicating with stakeholders, fundraising legislation and building relationships.

Apprentices who are admitted to the course will join a leading academic institution which provides a supportive study and work environment. The programme is designed and delivered by academics from the Centre for Philanthropy, who are experts in the charity sector and who specialise in a range of relevant disciplines includes philanthropy, major giving and legacies. Apprentices will benefit from their wealth of knowledge and experience, as well as hearing from experts from beyond the University, including teaching contributions from leading consultants, fundraisers and strategic philanthropists.

Meet the Team 

Dr Beth Breeze has worked extensively in fundraising and charitable giving, starting her career as a fundraiser for a youth homelessness charity. Beth co-founded the Centre for Philanthropy in 2008 and launched the University's Master's degree programme in Philanthropic Studies in 2016. 

Dr Lucy Lowthian has a long career in the charity sector having started her career in community fundraising for charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support and the British Heart Foundation. A Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Kent, Lucy leading on the development and launch of the Level 3 Fundraising Apprenticeship. 

Becky Phillips has worked for Cancer Research UK in various fundraising and leadership roles and led the Trailblazer group that created the Fundraiser apprenticeship standard. As well as tutoring, curriculum design and assessing for the Fundraiser apprenticeship, she helps young people from underrepresented backgrounds get careers in fundraising.

Delivery

The programme will be delivered through a combination of teaching methods to provide apprentices with a varied experience which include:

• Weekly live online seminars
• Independent learning exercises and work-based activities
• E-learning resources and additional reading
• Peer to peer learning
• Shadowing
• Monthly progress reviews and regular check-ins
• Webinars and research tasks
• Interactive learning

There will also be a 2-day face-to-face induction at the start of the programme. This will be held at the University of Kent's Canterbury campus. There will also be another 2-day event later on in the programme. 

Apprentices will have access to the University of Kent’s online Moodle portal. Apprentices will also ‘learn by doing’ through practical experience within the apprentice’s corresponding work placement, with a minimum of 20% off-the-job training. This practical experience is considered essential to develop and enhance the apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours including problem solving, strategic thinking, interpersonal and communication skills.

Apprentices will be required to prepare a portfolio of evidence during the on-programme phase. The format and structure of the portfolio must be agreed between the employer and apprentice and will be presented electronically.

Module information

The course will cover the following modules:

Module 1: Foundations of Fundraising:

• An overview of the course including individual roles and expectations, course activities and assessment methods.
• An overview of fundraising and the sector including the different types of fundraising, the importance of stakeholders and building networks, and the ethical considerations and regulations that affect fundraising.
• An understanding of the importance of relationships, including different types of motivation, and the different forms of fundraising.
• An understanding of how to develop and manage relationships, the importance of recording data (adhering to GDPR) and what analysis techniques can help you to gather insight.

Module 2: Key Fundraising Concepts and Principles:

• An understanding of the components of a case for support to showcase the impact of the organisation’s work
• An overview of the different communication methods for internal and external stakeholders.
• An understanding of effective supporter care and stewardship and the importance of accurately recording supporter information.
• An understanding of the key financial principles such as budgeting and forecasting.

Module 3: Philanthropic Fundraising in Practice:

• Develop problem solving skills by understanding how to manage conflict, find solutions and evaluate decisions, adapting the working style where necessary.
• An understanding of the external and market factors and explore methodologies to undertake internal and external analysis.
• Exploration of the key components of a fundraising plan.
• Course conclusions and assessment preparation.

Duration

Programme will be studied over 13 months full-time (for those working 30+ hours a week). The programme will commence in March 2023 and will be taught over three academic terms. The End-Point Assessment typically lasts for two months after the 13 month on-programme working is complete.

Entry requirements

Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.

Assessment and qualification

Apprentices are required to undertake an End-Point Assessment (EPA) for the Fundraiser Apprenticeship standard. All apprentices must spend a minimum of 13 months on-programme before the assessment period begins. The EPA period will only be arranged once the employer is satisfied that the apprentice is deemed to be consistently working at or above the level set out in the occupational standard, and that all of the pre-requisite gateway requirements for EPA have been met and can be evidenced.

The EPA must be completed typically within two months and consists of two assessment methods:

• Assessment method 1: Case for support pitch, presentation with questions and answers.
• Assessment method 2: Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

Performance in the EPA will determine the overall apprenticeship standard grade of Fail, Pass or Distinction.

On successful completion of this programme, learners will have achieved the Level 3 Fundraiser Apprenticeship Certificate.