Our fundraising and membership team

Working for Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

The fundraising and membership team is responsible for recruiting and retaining members (income from membership accounts for around 50% of the Trust’s income) and for developing and submitting grant applications for projects such as land purchase and habitat restoration. They are also responsible for our retail, from Christmas cards to virtual gifts.

Areas of work

Promoting and encouraging Trust membership.
Managing our face-to-face recruiters and their venue booking team to ensure the Trust has a presence at local events and venues in order to recruit members and raise awareness of the Trust.
Working closely with the engagement team and communications team to ensure our membership message is promoted throughout our work.
Generating income though finding and applying for grants, bids and other funding applications.
Developing a range of fundraising activities, schemes and initiatives (including retail).
Developing projects and securing funding for specific projects, such as the purchase of land.

Skills	Computer literate including, in particular, database skills Excellent customer care
Knowledge	Health & Safety requirements and implementation Community and individual fundraising techniques
Experience	Fundraising within the charity sector Engaging with donors Managing project budgets Working with local community organisations Planning, producing and developing events and activities
Personal qualities	Well organised and methodical

Case study: Caitlin Stuart, Fundraising Officer

As a child, I changed my mind about what I wanted to be when I “grew up” almost weekly. I went from wanting to be a fairy, to a vet, to a pilot, to a forensic scientist. I had never even considered, or truly understood, a career in fundraising. But the more I learned about it, the more I realised it was the perfect fit for me.

Throughout school and sixth form, I never fit neatly into either the "creative" or "technical" box. I loved reading and creative writing, with English being one of my favourite subjects, but I was equally drawn to the analytical and exploratory nature of science, especially biology. That combination, along with my passion for the natural world, led me to study biology at university, focusing on ecology and conservation modules. One of the highlights of my time there was hearing my hero Sir David Attenborough speak when he opened our new labs. Hearing the voice behind some of my favourite documentaries was a moment I will never forget.

After graduating, like many others, I struggled to find a job in my chosen field without work experience or further study. I took a job at a local restaurant, where the hours were long, but I enjoyed the social side and interacting with people. Later, I moved into a customer service role at a car dealership, looking for more stable hours. While I still enjoyed the people-facing aspect, I found myself craving a role I was truly passionate about.

That’s when I saw my current role advertised. I was immediately interested and many of my skills and interests aligned with the role, but I doubted I had the right experience having never worked in the conservation or charity sector. To my surprise, I was offered an interview and then the job! I was delighted.

Now, two years on, I can confidently say this is a job I love. My role is incredibly varied, from writing grant applications and analysing income trends, to organising events for supporters, choosing Christmas card designs and running the Trust shop. Looking back, every step of my education and career has helped me build the skills I use every day. So, if you’re considering a role in conservation or fundraising and feel unsure about your experience, apply anyway – you never know what might happen. I’m so glad I did.