The Canon Collins Trust is a small NPO focused on social justice through education, and has registered offices in both South Africa and the UK. This unique role is home-based in South Africa. You will join Canon Collins’ dynamic staff team of six others, two of whom are based in South Africa and four in the UK. Board Members are likewise based in both countries.
Formed over 40 years ago in the UK during the height of the anti-apartheid struggle, the Canon Collins Trust now seeks to bring about positive social change throughout southern Africa. We do this by providing university scholarships (mainly at postgraduate level) to change-makers and influencers, as well as by occasionally supporting legal and education projects in South Africa.
Their income is approximately R20m a year, derived mainly from individuals, trusts, and some companies. With several exciting projects in mind for the future, it is imperative that new funds are found and existing sources of revenue are nurtured.
This new role is an exciting opportunity to identify and secure new funding partnerships and strengthen existing ones, mainly in South Africa. By drawing on and developing the Trust’s Fundraising Strategy, the post-holder will work closely with the CEO and trustees to research and pursue new sources of revenue, including support from corporations, high net worth individuals, trusts and foundations. The role includes maximising income from individuals, particularly ‘alumni’ of the Trust’s scholarship programme. The post holder will also help implement and extend the Trust’s Legacy strategy.
The role will suit someone who is both proactive, highly driven and willing to adapt and learn as the job evolves and grows. Support will be given by a highly experienced Fundraising Committee.
In order to find the right candidate, the Trust is offering some flexibility and both part time and full time arrangements will be considered.
Mobilising resources, donor research and partnership management
Cultivate new and existing relationships with foundations, institutional and corporate donors;
Undertake regular scanning of key donor websites and other research to identify new funding opportunities and share relevant information with colleagues;
Liaise with potential donors and develop and tailor concept notes, proposals and budgets (including logical frameworks if needed) in response to identified opportunities;
Establish close synergies with other team members such as those responsible for Alumni support and Communications;
Devise and implement a small programme of carefully planned fundraising events to attract support;
Continuously update the database, donor profiles, etc.
Networking and building public awareness
Actively engage in relevant networking events to build awareness of the Trust with key stakeholders, influencers, and the SA public more broadly;
Seek opportunities to diversify the Trust’s donors and engage with new ones, and provide well-researched briefings on such opportunities for others (e.g. CEO, Board members).
Strategic planning and positioning
Contribute to the positioning of the Trust’s strategic priorities with donors most likely to respond, and regular reviews of strategy;
Help sharpen the Trust’s plans and positioning on development issues in southern Africa;
Work with the CEO and colleagues to support fundraising in the UK and elsewhere when additional capacity is needed.
About you
Knowledge and Experience
Strong understanding and knowledge of the SA donor landscape. Knowledge of philanthropy in other parts of Africa or the UK would be an added advantage.
A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience: either a directly attributable track record in raising funds for comparable organisations, or an entrepreneurial background with proven sales/business success and a commitment to social change;
Experience in developing and writing proposals and arguments, business plans, budgets, concept papers, briefs, executive summaries, as well as coordinating multiple inputs from a variety of sources, and simultaneously managing a variety of relationships;
An understanding of how postgraduate education can impact positive change in society would be a distinct advantage.
Skills and attributes
Self-driven, proactive and determined, while also resilient if something does not succeed.
Perfect written English (essential), together with the ability to think outside the box and write creatively and persuasively.
Excellent interpersonal skills: you will be a good communicator, articulate and confident in presenting to key decision-makers. The ability to develop funding relationships is key.
Good research skills and the ability to identify opportunities.
A commitment to social change and alignment with the values of the Canon Collins Trust.
Highly organised and able to combine attention to humdrum detail such as maintaining database records with the ability to follow through on small leads and build good networks;
Good skills in Microsoft Office and a willingness to be self-serving administratively.
After 12 months in the role the successful candidate will be expected to have built strong relationships with potential and existing donors, with prospect pipelines in place and several major gifts starting to materialise.
Salary: Remuneration will be competitive and is dependent on experience. A performance contract will be agreed. A pension contribution is also paid after the 6 month probationary period is passed.
Hours: The role is seen as full time, but the post is fully open to anyone wanting to work part time. If you prefer to work part time, please make this clear in your application and state the number of weekdays you are able to offer.
To apply
Please note that this post is only open to people who already have a long-term or permanent legal right to live and work in South Africa. To work from home you must have your own strong and stable WiFi installation.
To apply, please send a CV and your answers to the two questions below. Please ensure you include references (which will NOT be taken up until we have your permission) and details of your most recent salary with your application. If you are seeking part-time hours, please make this clear and state the number of weekdays you can work for the Canon Collins Trust.
Deadline: Please send your application to the CEO at [email protected]
For your guidance, we anticipate preliminary interviews will be held via Zoom around 18th February, and final interviews in Johannesburg approximately 28th February (exact dates to be confirmed, and may change).
Please note
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. As a small organisation, the Canon Collins Trust does not have the resources to contact those who are not shortlisted for interview, or to give feedback on applications. If you have not been contacted within two weeks after the closing date, this means your application was unfortunately not successful. Thank you for your understanding.
Questions (to be answered as part of your application and sent with your CV and other details)
1. You have correctly told a potential funder who supports education initiatives that the average cost of a Canon Collins scholarship is R100,000 per scholar per year. The donor emails you to express concern at the high cost (per person) compared with other projects they are looking at, where the cost-per-beneficiary is much lower. What do you say to them in reply?
2. The Board are keen for younger individual donors to come on board and suggested placing adverts asking for donations in either Getaway Magazine or on Facebook. What’s your instinct on these suggestions? How do you go about finding the information you need to form a recommendation?
For more about Canon Collins Educational and Legal Assistance Trust , refer to https://www.canoncollins.org