Community Fundraising Officer

OUT North East is a leading LGBTQ+ charity and community organisation in the North East of England focused on promoting equality, inclusion, wellbeing and community connection for LGBTQ+ people, their families, friends and allies through support services, events, advocacy and awareness-raising programmes. Based at the ONE Centre in Gateshead, it offers safe spaces, practical help, social activities and outreach work to reduce isolation and strengthen community ties. In addition to its core services, OUT North East organises the Summer of Pride festival series, which are free Pride celebrations and events delivered across Gateshead, Sunderland and South Tyneside. These are held over the summer period, bringing together diverse communities for family picnics, concerts, creative days, and other inclusive events that celebrate LGBTQ+ life and promote visibility and belonging.

 The Community Fundraising Officer supports OUT North East to raise vital unrestricted income through the planning, promotion and delivery of community fundraising activities.

Working alongside the Event and Festival Officers, this volunteer helps organise a wide range of fundraising events, from quiz nights, bingo nights and coffee mornings to gala dinners, charity balls, sponsored challenge events some larger fundraising campaigns.

The role also focuses on developing long-term relationships with local businesses, community organisations, schools, colleges, universities, venues, and supporters, encouraging partnerships, sponsorship, donations, and participation, in fundraising activities.

The Community Fundraising Officer helps develop a year-round programme of fundraising opportunities that enables individuals, workplaces and community groups to support OUT North East in creative and meaningful ways, ensuring the charity can continue providing life-changing services for LGBTQI+ communities across the North East.

•  Support the planning and delivery of community fundraising events throughout the year.
• Work alongside the Event and Festival Officers to organise fundraising activities and campaigns
• Help develop and deliver an annual community fundraising calendar.
• Organise fundraising events such as quiz nights, bingo nights, race nights, coffee mornings, afternoon teas, raffles, charity balls, auctions, concerts and themed fundraising evenings.
• Develop creative fundraising ideas that engage different sections of the community.
• Recruit individuals to take part in sponsored fundraising challenges such as walks, runs, cycling events, skydives and other challenge events.
• Build positive relationships with local businesses, community organisations, schools, colleges, universities, venues and supporters.
• Encourage organisations to nominate OUT North East as their Charity of the Year.
• Approach businesses and organisations to secure sponsorship, raffle prizes, auction items, donations and in-kind support.
• Encourage businesses, workplaces and community groups to organise their own fundraising events in support of OUT North East.
• Recruit attendees and volunteers for fundraising activities.
• Promote fundraising events through approved digital channels, community networks and local partnerships.
• Support fundraising stalls at Pride celebrations, festivals and community events.
• Thank donors, volunteers, businesses and supporters, helping to develop long term relationships with the charity.
• Support the recording of fundraising income in line with organisational procedures.
• Help identify new opportunities to diversify unrestricted income and strengthen the long-term sustainability of OUT North East.

 This role is based in the centre or the community depending on the fundraising activity

 Time commitment: Approximately 8 hours per month, with additional time around fundraising events if available.

Days: Flexible. Some evenings and weekends may be required depending on when fundraising events are arranged.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER Become a Volunteer for OUT North East and the ONE Centre

Skills

• Friendly, enthusiastic and confident communicator.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
• Comfortable engaging with members of the public, businesses and community organisations.
• Creative thinker with enthusiasm for organising fundraising campaigns and events.
• Good organisational and planning skills.
• Self-motivated, proactive and able to manage several activities at once.
• Comfortable working collaboratively with volunteers, staff and partners.
• Reliable and professional.
• Passionate about supporting LGBTQI+ communities.
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Previous experience in fundraising, events, sales, marketing, customer engagement or community development is welcomed but not essential.