SPEAR used to stand for Single Persons Emergency Accommodation in Richmond. In 1987, a homeless person sleeping on river bank in Richmond was tragically found dead. This spurred local resident Penny Wade to set up an emergency accommodation scheme. In 1989, the Penny Wade night shelter then moved to a more permanent accommodation on Kew Road, and is still operating today.
Over the years, SPEAR has branched out to cover the boroughs of Richmond, Kingston, Merton, Wandsworth and Sutton. Their services have also increased to support people experiencing homelessness throughout their journey from homelessness to independence. The charity work closely with support services, volunteers, local authorities, businesses and individuals in the local community to enable sustainable change in people’s lives. Working from the hub in Richmond, the SPEAR staff enjoy seeing the work first-hand, with many clients popping in and out of the offices day-to-day.
Recent years have seen diversification and increase in funding. Fundraising is in a good position, and building on this growth and diversification is key. Fundraising is currently sitting at c.£890k, with a view to getting to over the £1m mark within 2-3 yrs. The team will not be set up for failure and the incoming postholder will inform the budget breakdown so it’s achievable.
Trusts and grants makes up most of their income at c£625k this year (including a large Lottery grant of £500k over 3 yrs). Corporate has been identified as a key growth area. Individual giving and community also have small portfolios which could have growth potential. The role also manages an Engagement Manager who largely supports fundraising activity.
Introduction from the CEO
“80-85% of our income is from services commissioned by Local Authorities but this only really provides accommodation that keeps people off the streets. Our vision is much more holistic than that; we want to give our clients access to a wide range of service and opportunities that will help them to address what lead to them becoming homeless and enable them to live independent lives – e.g. health care, education, training, employment, volunteering and digital skills. This is where fundraising is critical to what we do; it makes the difference between providing basic services and excellent ones.
Over the last 5 years or so the numbers rough sleeping have grown significantly and SPEAR has grown to address this greater need. Our vision still remains to reduce homelessness in our area of London to as near zero as possible; to make it rare, brief and non-recurring.
If you’re inspired by our cause, are attracted to work for an organisation of our size and culture and have the vision and skills to secure the income we need to transform the lives of homeless people do please consider applying for this role.”
To read Tim’s letter in full, please refer to the job pack.
Tim Fallon
CEO
About the role
As Director of Fundraising and Engagement, you will:
- Develop and build on a strategic year on year fundraising growth plan for SPEAR that aligns with SPEAR’s strategic goals and budgeted targets
- Play a key role as member of SMT which meets once per fortnight (there are also quarterly board meetings this post will attend)
- The role will be a strategic-doing role, getting involved in day-to-day fundraising when required
- Particular oversight of trusts and corporate partnerships is required, as the income streams the charity relies on most strongly
- Lead, develop, motivate and inspire the team of fundraising and communications professionals
About you
Ideal skills and experience:
- A seasoned, high value fundraiser with experience across multiple income streams
- An articulate communicator who can convey a message about SPEAR’s work that is appropriate and inspiring for different audiences – verbally, in presentations and in writing
- Deep knowledge of Trusts, Foundations and project-based restricted fundraising
- Additional knowledge of some or all of: Corporate partnerships; individuals; major donors
- Extensive line management experience
- A collaborative style, able to work effectively with colleagues across the charity
- Experience of the creation and delivery of a multi-stream fundraising strategy
Employee benefits
Employee benefits include:
- 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing by 1 day with each year of service, up to a maximumn of 31 days
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Enhanced occupational sick pay
