Thinking Outside the Box to Build a Strong Fundraising Team

Attracting talented professional fundraisers in the charity sector in Ireland involves a strategic approach that goes beyond traditional recruitment methods.

And when our clients say “I’m very open to finding the right person…..but they do need to have worked in a €5m+ Irish fundraising team for at least 3 years…..”  we will challenge them to think differently about the core competencies of a successful professional fundraiser.

Here are our top tips for being truly creative and inclusive to ensure we find the right candidate who aligns with your values and can add value quickly;

• Stop fishing in the same pond! - be genuinely open to those looking to move into the charity sector. Some of the most successful fundraisers have come from corporate roles in marketing, sales, business development, relationship or events management.
• Be open to both fractional and part-time working arrangements - consider interim solutions and those who may be able to take the role on reduced hours.
• Define a compelling mission and impact to connect people to your purpose.
• Consider the language and tone of your job description and create a job spec that excites the reader.
• Articulate and share your positive organisational culture through storytelling and testimonials.
• Highlight career development opportunities – make it clear that you invest in your people through ongoing development / mentoring etc.
• Offer genuine flexibility in working arrangements demonstrating trust and the importance of personal accountability.
• Be realistic about the educational background required for the role – if you don’t need a specific qualification, don’t preclude folks from applying.
• Have a transparent and efficient recruitment process – include details of the process and the interview timeframe if you can.
• Demonstrate your commitment to diversity and inclusion in practical ways throughout the recruitment process by welcoming applications in various forms and providing the interview questions to candidates in advance.

Suzanne Mulholland is the Director of Strategic Search at Mantra Strategy. Our Search division can help you find the perfect candidate, board member or provide interim leadership.

For more information visit www.mantrastrategy.ie or reach out to Suzanne at suzanne@mantrastrategy.ie