Feeling trapped in my job, how to escape?

[PeanutButteryAddict]

I work in fundraising and want to get out. I feel so trapped in the charity sector and the cost of living crisis has really exacerbated how restrictive the sector is in terms of pay. I can't progress or earn any more money without going into a leadership role, which I'm just not suited to.

I have loads of transferable skills, but find it impossible to know how to demonstrate that to other sectors. I feel completely unemployable outside of fundraising. Has anyone made the move out of the charity sector and can inspire me with how you did it??

[TheFairyNamedMary]

whatever the criteria is you can adapt any of the skills you have
works to tight deadlines… meeting deadlines required me to adapt my work, I use a calendar/spreadsheet to stay ahead of any deadlines. Then blah blah example of a change to a deadline and how you met. I ensured all reports were sent to me me earlier and i had no problem chasing those that were late
its a load of bs… just need to make the person reading you application that you have experience and can do the million things the role requires.

it’s all about how you write that bs that impresses them enough to give you an interview

[Supper16]

I sympathise, I am also trapped in fundraising and would like to get out (or at the bare minimum move to 'better' bits of it). The places/roles that appear to have the most in common are public sector project type roles as far as I can see. But yes it's really hard making the change I've filled out plenty of applications where I've had to stress transferrable skills and got na-dah back.

[Sportycustard]

I oversee fundraising as part of a wider leadership team role.

Depending on the type of fundraising you're involved with you could move into comms, events, partnerships or some sort of data / reporting role. You might have to do a sideways step rather than aim for promotion at the same time.

I'm shortly going to be looking for a part time digital manager role and I've already identified fundraisers as a likely pool of people who might have the right skills.

What is it about your job that you particularly dislike?

[PeanutButteryAddict]

Thanks so much for all the replies. @Supper16 it's tricky isn't it - I've also applied for public sector jobs without success. What do you consider the 'better bits' of fundraising out of interest?

@Sportycustard it's not that I dislike fundraising necessarily. In lots of ways, I do enjoy my job, but I'm at a point where the only way I can progress or earn more money is to go into a leadership role, which I'm not suited to, and don't want to do.

And it's fairly depressing to look at the salaries of leadership roles in the charity sector compared to roles with much less responsibility in the private sector. Of course this is nothing new - charity sector roles have always been lower paid than the private sector, but I do think they've fallen behind even further in recent years, and I'm at a stage in my life now where I really need to be earning more money. I've looked at moving sideways in the charity sector as well, and even that is proving difficult.

[Mapel99]

I found this thread as I'm also trying to get out of the charity sector! I sympathise - it's tricky, as fundraising is rather a unique career path which doesn't sit in other sectors. I'm looking at project management roles at the moment.

[JennyForeigner]

How about a sideways move to universities 'development' or similar? Your skillset, more security.

[Ebonyhorse]

What about alumni/development for universities. Jobs.ac.uk is a good starting place.

[rubbishatballet]

Have you considered any roles in hospital charities? NHS agenda for change banded, and should be in line with similar roles in the same Trust. Potentially could also then offer opportunities to move sideways into corporate or ops management type roles if you're canny about networking and flagging that intent with the right people internally.

[PeanutButteryAddict]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think a sideways or even downwards move is the only thing that might work.

[Hoppinggreen]

Do you approach Businesses for funding?
if so isn’t that a type of Sales? If it is you must have Account Management B2B skills if you fancy that

[PeanutButteryAddict]

No the type of fundraising I do is quite specialised. There are loads of transferable skills, but many of the jobs I look at want experience in particular sectors which I don't have.