Why do the Legacy & In-Memory Fundraising Team at Battersea need a volunteer?
Legacy and In-Memory income is vital for Battersea and gifts left to us in Wills account for over 40% of our total income. We’ve seen significant growth in this area thanks to the sector-leading work of our ambitious team and the success of our wider fundraising programme. It’s therefore an exciting time to volunteer at one of the country’s most loved and best-known animal charities – and be part of one of the fastest growing fundraising teams.
Our talented Legacy and In-Memory fundraising team sit within Individual Giving and are responsible for recruiting and stewarding legacy prospects and in memory supporters. Our supporters are an essential part of the Battersea family, and this team is responsible for ensuring they feel valued and appreciated. The team also looks after our Forever Loved service which cares for and rehomes pets if their owner passes away.
We need the support of a volunteer to assist the Legacy and In-Memory fundraising team in achieving its aims and objectives through undertaking key administrative tasks. The team are involved in first-hand contact with supporters and thanking them for their donations to ensure each supporter who contacts us is helped with their query in a warm, friendly, and efficient way.
This is an ideal volunteer role if you are looking to gain or develop skills and experience in an office environment, in the charity sector and/or in fundraising. This role involves dealing with the administration of supporter donations and queries via telephone, email, and post.
What would I be doing?
- Primary responsibility is to support in arranging, and issuing Thank You letters to supporters for donations received.
- Logging incoming post, which includes responses to press ads, inserts and Forever Loved registration forms.
- Updating our fundraising database with accurate supporter information and communication preferences.
- Dealing professionally with correspondence from our supporters in a warm, friendly, and helpful manner. This includes post and email.
- Other administrative duties as required such as scanning, printing and posting.
What skills and experience would be useful?
- Well-developed communication skills, including both written and verbal communication.
- Good computer literacy and Microsoft Office skills.
- Ability to use empathy, tact and diplomacy when talking to supporters.
- Ability to work on your own and using initiative to solve problems is beneficial (alongside the support of the Volunteer Mentor).
- Ability to keep accurate records, organising and maintaining correspondence.
What skills will I gain?
- Training in how to use our systems and processes, including Raiser’s Edge – a database used by many charities in the UK.
- Experience in a customer care role.
- Experience in a sector-leading team at one of the country’s largest and most loved charities.
Where and when would I be volunteering?
The role is based in the fundraising office at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, 4 Battersea Park Road, London, SW8 4AA.
We are looking for a commitment of one day, every week during core working hours of 10am to 4pm. We are looking for a commitment over at least six months but hope you would like to stay longer.
We strive to create an inclusive environment and ensure that our volunteers are involved in all aspects of our work, are valued for their commitment, and recognised for the extraordinary things they do for us. We are accredited by ‘Investing In Volunteers’, the UK quality standard for good practice in volunteer management.
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and value diversity for all current and prospective employees, volunteers, and Trustees. We aim to ensure that this commitment, reinforced by our values, is embedded in our day-to-day working practices and our work together. At Battersea, we provide reasonable adjustments for those with disabilities or neurodiversity to ensure individuals can achieve the best out of their role.
If you require support with your application or wish to discuss reasonable adjustments further please email v.coordinator@battersea.org.uk or call on 0203 8878 349. Any declaration of any disabilities or differences will be treated confidentially and compassionately.
KEY DATES:
31/10/25 - Application Deadline
W/C 10/11/25 - Volunteer Interview
W/C 10/11/25 - Volunteer Start Date