Volunteer Branch Fundraising Coordinator

This role covers Okehampton and surrounding areas.

Could you help to raise vital funds for SSAFA in your local area? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to get on with all kinds of people, some basic I.T skills and good written and spoken English. If you already have some fundraising experience that would be great too but it’s not essential.

**What is a Fundraising Coordinator?**

As Fundraising Coordinator, you would work with your local SSAFA branch to develop a Fundraising Plan. You would be central to delivering this local plan to raise funds through a range of local sources including grants, trusts, appeals, collections, and events.

**Why do we need you?**

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

SSAFA branches rely on a regular charitable income to fund all the necessities behind our support for clients. This includes volunteer travel expenses, phone bills, publicity, and grants for clients in urgent needs. A varied programme of fundraising also keeps the SSAFA profile high in the local community. We’d love to hear from you if you could help by coordinating this vital aspect of your local SSAFA branch.

**When would you be needed and where would you be based?**

As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home. You would also be out and about at events and meetings. This role would suit someone looking to give a regular time commitment to SSAFA although when and where would be flexible to suit you.

**What would you be doing?**
- Developing an ethical fundraising plan based on the needs of the branch and choosing a mix of sources.
- Working with the branch secretary and Regional Fundraising Manager, recruit a team of fundraising volunteers to support events, appeals and collections.
- Working with the Regional Fundraising Manager, support national fundraising campaigns.
- Working with the Branch Publicity Officer, develop opportunities to combine awareness and fundraising.
- Planning and running local appeals, collections, and events
- Working with Marketing staff at central office check that all fundraising materials meet SSAFA branding style and current key messages.
- Liaise with Regional Fundraising Manager when pursuing opportunities beyond local sources e.g., corporates.
- Evaluate fundraising activities and provide reports and information for the branch.
- Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA including all sections of the community in awareness raising
- Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)

SSAFA is embarking on a programme of review and change to ensure that the beneficiary is at the heart of all that we do and that volunteers are fully supported in their roles. The remit of this role is likely to change over the next 12-18 months, away from supporting caseworkers to focus on fundraising and ambassadorial activities. This will help us to raise the profile of SSAFA and of the services we offer to the Armed Forces family. By joining us now, you will be part of that transition and can help shape the future of SSAFA.

**What can you gain from this volunteering role?**
- Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
- Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising funds used directly to support clients.
- Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
- Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
- Better physical and mental health - studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression

**What training and support would you receive?**
- Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
- Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role - Fundraising workshops.
- Access to a range of e-learning courses, fundraising guidance, and marketing materials
- Fundraising Manager (per region)
- Fundraising and Marketing teams based at our central office.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
- Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

**What are we looking for?**
- Friendly and approachable people with good communication skills inc