As fundraising plays an increasingly significant role within the sector, the profession is becoming ever more competitive. The demand for talented fundraisers is growing and as investments are made into new revenue streams, organisations recognise the need to diversify funding. At present, we are a experiencing a candidate led market, which means recruiting from this talent pool more often than not requires specialist support combined with wide-ranging attraction methods to successfully reach the highest quality candidates.
It’s this on-going, increased demand for fundraisers that has been the main factor in recruiters having to shift away from traditional recruitment methods and networks; increasingly this involves identifying candidates from outside of the sector who possess the core competencies required and who are looking for a career change. It has also led to Agencies like our own, investing heavily in building our own network of talented fundraisers – through imaginative events and communications. Of course, broadening the potential candidate pool presents new challenges of its own; our specialist recruiters have had to develop an in-depth understanding of other sectors in order to broaden their talent pools and continue to provide sustainable resourcing solutions for building future talent pipelines.
Over the past 2 years, Prospectus has worked tremendously hard to develop extensive networks by becoming active and fully engaged members of the fundraising community. Our specialist fundraising team is resourced with individuals who have worked successfully as both charity sector fundraisers and recruitment consultants. It is this knowledge and experience that gives us a deep contextual understanding of our clients and their fundraising goals, as well as the ability to recruit to all levels, disciplines and income streams. Put simply, the reason we believe we are different is because we both leverage and amplify our reach and networks more effectively than any other recruitment consultancy.
But that’s only half of the equation.
Our success owes much to our unique ‘non-commission’ salary policy for all consultants and our ability to allow them time to become active volunteers and board members within the charity sector. This client (rather than profit) focused approach is an essential element in the Prospectus DNA as we believe our culture is intrinsically linked to our success. Our consultants have the luxury of time and space to collaborate fully with clients and candidates alike, sharing their knowledge, experience and extensive individual networks to take fundraising beyond profit to a totally new level.
If you need fundraising recruitment advice and guidance and would like to experience our unique and specialist approach first-hand, then contact the Prospectus Fundraising Team for an initial consultation.
