scene from the Europe Graduate Trainee Scheme

CASE Graduate Trainee Programme - Europe

Applications for 2021 are now closed

CASE Graduate Trainee Programme - Europe is a fantastic opportunity for high quality graduates and postgrads seeking a career in fundraising and philanthropy within higher education, schools and not-for-profit sectors.

For those interested in fundraising, philanthropy and advancement, the CASE Graduate Trainee Programme - Europe is a great way to begin a career in the sector and to see the benefits those professions bring to the higher education sector and beyond. 

Why should graduates consider a career in higher education fundraising and philanthropy?

The Programme offers graduates a unique opportunity to develop a range of skills and experience through interactive workshops, alongside year-long placements at universities, schools and not-for-profit organisations. Graduate trainees benefit from access to professional development training and mentoring, and are able to build an invaluable supportive network of peers.

CASE is committed to growing the diversity of the advancement profession. We aspire to help institutions connect with their diverse constituencies and create pathways for current and future employees of diverse backgrounds.
At CASE, we define diversity as being inclusive of people of different ethnicities, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, and ability levels.

The CASE Graduate Trainee Scheme gave me a perfect footing in the professional world. The training opportunities and community offered through CASE were excellent and my host institution gave me the best introduction to the world of Development I could have imagined. Had I not been a CASE graduate my career certainly would not have progressed at the rate it has done over recent years.

Jacob Lawless, Senior Development Manager (China) at University of Oxford CASE Graduate Trainee Scheme Alumnus 2014/15

The CASE scheme really is the perfect way to kick-start a career in philanthropy. You have access to world leading research, sector leading training and a network of passionate and dedicated fundraising professionals that want to see you succeed.

Victoria Hurwood, Development Officer at Birkbeck, University of London CASE Graduate Trainee Scheme Alumnus 2018/19

I am so happy in my career and I love the fact that going to work every day is meaningful and varied. My career in fundraising for education wouldn't have happened without the CASE Graduate Trainee Programme and I'm so grateful for the kick-start I was given. It's a competitive, high-flying programme which recognises and nurtures talent, provides unrivalled opportunities to learn from and network with the leaders in the sector and gives hands-on learning experience so you can fast-track into whichever area of fundraising you enjoy most.

Rachel Third, Head of Philanthropy at Loughborough University CASE Graduate Trainee Scheme Alumnus 2012/13
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What does the traineeship include?

Graduate trainees work within each area of a development office of an educational institution - gaining experience and developing core fundraising skills of:              

  • Prospect research
  • Fundraising planning
  • Building a case for support
  • ‘Making the ask’
  • Stewardship/donor relations
  • Monitoring and evaluating fundraising activity

The breadth of the experience provides graduates with a fully rounded view of fundraising within education and the role it plays in supporting the institutions. For those looking for a career in fundraising, the Graduate Trainee Programme is a great opportunity.

  • During the year-long placement, graduate trainees will spend one month at another university with an emerging development function. This month-long placement will give the graduate trainee increased responsibility and autonomy.
  • In addition to the CASE Europe Annual Conference, those on the Programme also attend the Spring Institute in Educational Fundraising and one other CASE conference or seminar.
  • Successful applicants will be employed by a host university on a 50‐week contract, starting at the Europe Annual Conference on the 31 August 2021. The trainee will be an employee of the host institution for the duration of the programme. As a guide, the basic salary will be approximately £18,000 - £20,000 per annum outside London and £20,000 – £24,000 per annum in London. The salary will depend on each institution’s own pay and grading structure. Each participating institution pays for their trainee’s salary. Host universities may increase those salaries in order to bring remuneration into line with their own pay and grading structure.

Provisional Timetable

Recruitment

  • November 2020 - Applications open
  • 31 January 2021 - Applications close
  • March 2021 - Assessment Day
  • April 2021 - Final stage interviews at host institutions
  • April - May 2021 - Offers and Contracts

Training

  • 31 August 2021 - Contract begins with an induction week + the Europe Annual Conference
  • November 2021 - Institutional and trainee visits by project manager 
  • January 2022- Mentoring day
  • Date TBC - Major Gifts workshop
  • April 2022 - Spring Institute in Educational Fundraising
  • May 2022- Career seminar
  • June 2022 - Visit day
  • August 2022 - Programme finishes

Background

The CASE Graduate Trainee Programme - Europe was created with support from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to complement the UK Government's Matched Funding Scheme for Higher Education. The higher education fundraising profession needed to attract high calibre graduates and postgrads to further develop fundraising and philanthropic giving with UK higher education. CASE Europe created the CASE Graduate Trainee Programme - Europe identify and train talented individuals in the fundamental skills, knowledge and aptitude needed to be successful in the development profession and to make an impact on a university's philanthropic giving.

The CASE Graduate Trainee Programme - Europe was initially created with support from the HEFCE to complement the UK Government's Matched Funding Scheme for Higher Education. There was a need to boost the calibre of newcomers entering the higher education fundraising profession. CASE Europe devised a model that would train identified talent on the fundamental skills, knowledge and aptitude needed to be successful in the development profession and to make an impact on a university's philanthropic giving.

The following objectives were set for the CASE Graduate Trainee Programme - Europe:

  • To develop high-calibre fundraising professionals in the education sector
  • To raise the profile of fundraising in education and promote its growth
  • To develop the perception of fundraising in education as an attractive career option for talented people
  • To spread best practice, knowledge and expertise in fundraising across the education sector

How can I support the CASE Graduate Trainee Programme - Europe?

If you are interested in supporting the CASE Graduate Trainee Programme - Europe you can make a supporter donation via the justgiving button below. If you are a university and are interested in becoming a host or co-host university, you can find out more details about the Programme here. 

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CASE Graduate Trainee Programme - Europe has been supported by: