Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Individual Giving Manager - Acquisition

at Trussell

🏢 About Trussell

Trussell operates the UK's largest network of food banks, providing emergency food and support to people in crisis while campaigning to end the need for food banks. The organization is unique in its dual focus on immediate relief through its food bank network and long-term systemic change through advocacy. Working at Trussell means contributing to a vision of a UK where no one needs to go hungry, combining direct service with national policy influence.

About This Role

As Senior Individual Giving Manager - Acquisition, you'll lead Trussell's efforts to recruit new supporters through cash donations, regular giving, and legacy pledges across online and offline channels. This part-time remote role focuses on designing and executing major appeals and integrated fundraising campaigns that grow the supporter base while enhancing supporter lifetime value. Your work directly fuels both emergency food provision and advocacy campaigns to address the root causes of food poverty.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve analyzing campaign performance data from recent appeals, collaborating with the communications team on upcoming campaign messaging, planning integrated channel strategies for the next major appeal, and meeting with program teams to understand current needs that could inform fundraising narratives. You'd spend significant time optimizing supporter journeys across digital and traditional channels while ensuring all activities align with Trussell's mission of both immediate relief and long-term change.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Trussell Is Looking For

  • Has 3-5 years experience in individual giving acquisition, specifically with multi-channel direct marketing campaigns (digital, direct mail, telemarketing) for nonprofit organizations
  • Demonstrates proven success in growing supporter bases and increasing lifetime value through strategic stewardship and uplift programs
  • Possesses strong collaborative skills with experience working across departments (marketing, communications, programs) to create integrated campaigns
  • Shows specific expertise in legacy fundraising or regular giving programs, with data-driven approach to campaign optimization

📝 Tips for Applying to Trussell

1

Quantify your acquisition results: Include specific metrics like percentage growth in new supporters, cost per acquisition, and lifetime value improvements from previous roles

2

Highlight your experience with integrated campaigns: Show how you've coordinated online/offline channels and worked cross-functionally to create cohesive supporter journeys

3

Demonstrate knowledge of Trussell's dual mission: Reference both their food bank network and advocacy work, showing you understand their comprehensive approach to ending food poverty

4

Address the part-time remote nature: Explain how you'll maintain productivity and collaboration in a distributed, part-time schedule

5

Show campaign creativity within constraints: Nonprofit fundraising often requires innovation with limited budgets - provide examples of how you've maximized impact with resources

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with individual giving acquisition campaigns and measurable results in growing supporter bases', "How you've successfully collaborated across departments to create integrated fundraising campaigns that align with organizational mission", 'Your approach to stewardship and supporter journey optimization to increase lifetime value', "Why Trussell's dual focus on immediate relief and systemic change resonates with your professional values and experience"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Trussell's latest annual report and financial statements to understand their funding mix and individual giving performance
  • → Their current campaigns like 'Guarantee Our Essentials' to understand their advocacy priorities and how fundraising supports them
  • → Recent media coverage about food bank usage trends in the UK and policy responses
  • → The 'Together with Trussell' programme mentioned in the job description and how it interfaces with their five external programs

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through a successful individual giving acquisition campaign you designed and executed, including challenges and results
2 How would you approach creating an integrated campaign that appeals to both emergency relief donors and systemic change advocates?
3 What metrics would you track to measure the success of Trussell's individual giving acquisition program?
4 How would you collaborate with Trussell's advocacy and food bank teams to create compelling fundraising narratives?
5 Describe your experience with legacy fundraising and how you would develop this income stream for Trussell
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on transactional fundraising without addressing supporter stewardship and lifetime value enhancement
  • Presenting generic fundraising experience without specific examples of individual giving acquisition success
  • Failing to acknowledge Trussell's dual mission of emergency relief AND systemic change through advocacy

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Trussell!

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