Location: UK, Europe or South Africa
Location type: Remote
Reporting to: Board of Trustees
Annual salary: A competitive salary for permanent
contract. Consultants, please share
your daily rate.
Contract type: Flexible, consultancy or permanent
contract considered
Working hours: Full-time or part-time considered
Candidate level: Senior Executive
Closing date: Monday January 26th, 9:00 am CET,
with applications assed on a rolling basis
Background
Buskaid is a charitable music organisation based in Diepkloof, a suburb of the South African township of Soweto. Founded in 1992 by British viola player Rosemary Nalden, Buskaid is recognised internationally for its exceptional teaching methods and its highly acclaimed string ensemble.
With a music school, teachers training courses, instrument repair and the world-renowned Ensemble, Buskaid are working tirelessly to accomplish their mission - to offer string tuition of the highest international standards to local children from current and previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Their vision is that all children should be given the opportunity to channel their creative energies and enhance their academic abilities through the learning and playing of classical music. Further, Buskaid is also committed to creating employment opportunities for all its students, as performers, teachers, and stringed instrument repairers in their community.
Purpose of role
At a pivotal time in the organisation’s history, Buskaid is seeking to engage an inaugural Head of Fundraising to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organisation and to continue working towards their mission. This new role will join at an exciting stage of development for Buskaid, developing and implementing a fundraising strategy, engaging local and international doors, being a bold collaborator who is dedicated to preserving the excellence of Buskaid's artistic commitments.
With a modest donor-base of predominantly corporate and institutional funders, a critical aspect of the role is to ensure the long-term sustainability of fundraising efforts by creating globally diverse income streams, whilst adapting them to the South African context.
The post-holder will bring a dedicated and fearless approach to building and developing Buskaid's fundraising approach, and work in close collaboration with the UK and South African Board of Trustees to secure a bright future for their performers, staff and teachers.
Primary responsibilities
The job holder will have the following key responsibilities:
Strategy and Engagement
- Development and implementation of Buskaid’s fundraising strategy across corporate, foundations, legacy, institutional, and major donors, in consultation with the Board of Trustees.
- Build a compelling case for support and identify specific projects which align with the organisation’s strategy and long-term vision.
- Keep up to date with changes in global fundraising trends and translate this into innovative donor engagement approaches that harness new technologies, platforms and supporter behaviours.
- Engage and further empower the Board of Trustees in fundraising by identifying prospects within their networks, providing clear briefing materials and supporting them to act as ambassadors for the organisation.
- Strengthen internal fundraising capacity by ensuring all donor data is accurately recorded, securely stored and regularly updated, enabling effective stewardship, compliance with data protection requirements and the use of data-informed insights to guide decision-making and strategic planning.
- Research and cultivate a robust pipeline of prospective donors across institutional, major donor, legacy giving and corporate sectors, both within South Africa and internationally, ensuring a diverse mix of funding opportunities.
- Build on and deepen relationships within the existing donor base to secure sustainable, long-term support and identify opportunities for increased giving.
- Re-engage lapsed donors through targeted outreach, tailored communications and renewed value propositions that reflect organisational impact and current strategic priorities.
- Proactively identify emerging donor segments and untapped markets, using data insights to inform cultivation strategies and broaden the organisation’s reach.
- Implement structured stewardship pathways to move prospects through the pipeline effectively, from initial identification to long-term partnership.
- Manage fundraising risk and compliance by establishing clear oversight mechanisms, monitoring adherence to legal and ethical standards, and ensuring all fundraising activities meet both international and South African regulatory requirements.
- Design and implement a comprehensive Fundraising Policy, alongside supporting procedures and guidelines, to ensure consistent, transparent and accountable fundraising practice across the organisation.
- Ensure appropriate fundraising due diligence is undertaken for all donors, partners and funding opportunities, assessing reputational, financial and ethical risks before commitments are made.
- Ensure Buskaid operates in line with best practice in fundraising, remaining up to date with developments in international and national compliance frameworks, emerging legislation and evolving fundraising methodologies.
- Maintain accurate, secure and compliant record-keeping systems to support audits, reporting requirements and organisational accountability.
Experience
- 8–10 years’ experience in fundraising, ideally within the arts and cultural sector.
- Experience working internationally with an understanding of varying donor motivations and giving cultures. Familiarity with South African donors is an advantage.
- Proven experience in developing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies across diverse income streams, which may include major donors, corporate partnerships, institutional funders, trusts and foundations, and legacy giving.
- Demonstrable success in securing significant gifts in five to six figure range, cultivating high-value prospects and stewarding long-term donor relationships.
- Strong track record in researching and developing new prospects, uncovering untapped markets and building a diverse, sustainable donor pipeline.
- Knowledge of designing and delivering solicitation and stewardship plans that support effective donor journeys.
- Experience producing compelling cases for support and persuasive fundraising and marketing materials tailored to different donor segments.
- Proven track record in building relationships and engaging with key stakeholders at all levels.
- Demonstrable knowledge of creating solicitation and stewardship plans.
- Experience in researching and developing new prospects, uncover untapped markets and sources of funding.
- Skilled at building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including staff, Trustees and donors.
- Strong administrative capability, including the ability to build, maintain and improve fundraising systems, ensure accurate and secure donor data, and support data-informed decision-making.
- A collaborative, hands-on approach, willing to take on operational tasks and contribute to both strategic and day-to-day fundraising activities.
If you have any questions about the role or organisation and would like an informal chat ahead of submitting a formal application, please reach out to McAra Kirby-Fahey at mcara@upsallinternational.com. To note: in order to keep your application safe and ensure your data is GDPR compliant applications will not be accepted via email.
· The deadline for applications is Monday January 26th, 9:00 am CET ·
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Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.