Meet Olivia: Featured in Fundraising Magazine’s New Voices

Meet Olivia: Featured in Fundraising Magazine’s New Voices

We’re excited to share that our very own Olivia Bonner, Trusts and Foundations Community Fundraiser, has been featured in the New Voices section of the March edition of Fundraising Magazine from Civil Society. 📰💚

Olivia writes about her journey into fundraising after a career in education, and how a passion for bringing people together around a shared purpose led her into the charity sector.

“I came into fundraising after a career in education as a music teacher. Teaching was incredibly rewarding, but I became more interested in the wider impact I could have beyond the classroom. I had always been involved in fundraising activities through schools, concerts, events and community projects. I enjoyed the challenge of engaging people and bringing them together around a shared purpose. This gradually developed into a desire to work in the charity sector full time, and fundraising felt like a natural fit.

“Transitioning into fundraising from teaching was challenging at times, but ultimately very achievable. Many of the skills I developed as a teacher were highly transferable. Like many people entering the sector, I had to be persistent and open to learning. Having easy access to a wide range of fundraising webinars really supported my development. Gaining experience, learning on the job, and demonstrating a clear commitment to the cause were all key to making that transition successful.

“Communication is at the heart of both teaching and fundraising, whether explaining complex ideas, tailoring messages to different audiences, or inspiring people to engage. Leadership and organisation skills have helped me manage multiple projects and deadlines. Creativity, which is central to music education, is also invaluable in fundraising when developing campaigns and finding new ways to connect with supporters. Perhaps most importantly, empathy and the ability to build trust are skills that translate directly from the classroom to supporter relationships.

“Fundraising is currently operating in a particularly challenging environment. In my local area, which faces significant disadvantage, the cost-of-living crisis means many people are having to think very carefully about their finances, even as charities experience increasing demand for their services. Balancing innovation with ethical fundraising, while ensuring supporters feel valued, informed and respected, remains an ongoing challenge for the sector.

“One of the first fundraising campaigns that stuck with me as a teenager was the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. It stands out because it became a truly global phenomenon, reaching far beyond traditional charity audiences. The campaign was simple, engaging and highly shareable, but it also delivered extraordinary results in terms of awareness and income. Importantly, it showed how peer-to-peer fundraising and social media could be used positively and creatively to drive impact. It remains a powerful example of how fundraising can successfully engage vast audiences and generate real impact.

“I think the sector would benefit from being more open about career pathways and recognising the value of transferable skills. Many people don’t realise how accessible fundraising can be or how varied the routes into it are. Investing in professional development and wellbeing is essential for building a resilient workforce. Most importantly, fundraising must continue to prioritise long-term, trust-based relationships with supporters and communities, particularly in areas facing disadvantage.“

Take a look at the piece in the Fundraising Magazine here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ny7tZA7Ish9VqEDd-ebckJzcgjWpI3Ym/view