NGO Fundraising Specialist

location
12 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 20 - 50+

rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Use your fundraising skills to support a local NGO in Ecuador.
  • Take on a new challenge that will benefit low-income rural communities.
  • Learn about the distinct local culture and a diverse set of innovative ways to create long-lasting change.

Highlights

  • Use your fundraising skills to support a local NGO in Ecuador.
  • Take on a new challenge that will benefit low-income rural communities.
  • Learn about the distinct local culture and a diverse set of innovative ways to create long-lasting change.
  • Work alongside the organisation’s founder - either from home or join us here in the beautiful Ecuadorian Andes!
  • Go on adventures with our interns and volunteers - hike in the mountains, bird watch in the jungle, and explore colonial villages.


  • Especially good for

    Age 20+
    Singles
    Couples
    50+

    About the program

    Immerse yourself in a rural Ecuadorian community while using your fundraising skills to make impactful projects happen.

    Want to use your fundraising skills to help low-income rural communities in Ecuador? This position is for you! You will be an integral part in growing El Terreno’s community and environmental initiatives. Work alongside the founder and key stakeholders to help design and implement a fundraising ...

    About the program

    Want to use your fundraising skills to help low-income rural communities in Ecuador? This position is for you! You will be an integral part in growing El Terreno’s community and environmental initiatives. Work alongside the founder and key stakeholders to help design and implement a fundraising strategy that will have long- term success. This role offers the chance to apply your skills abroad and tackle new challenges. Bring your creativity and ideas!

    ACTIVITIES

    • Learn about our vision, models & strategy.
    • Work alongside the core team & key stakeholders to co-create a fundraising strategy & framework
    • Use your existing fundraising skills and ability to work independently to implement the strategy.
    • Build relationships with potential donors (corporate, individual and grant-writing).
    • Evaluate your success and add your valuable experience to your resume.

    THE REGION

    El Terreno is on a hillside in the little-known province of Bolívar, just outside of the quaint colonial town of Guaranda in central Ecuador. It's nestled in a valley surrounded by traditional farmland and indigenous communities, with a spectacular view of the majestic Chimborazo Volcano (the point on earth closest to the sun!)

    40% of the population around Guaranda live in poverty, yet it has enormous human and cultural capital, presenting a fantastic opportunity for sustainable development if unlocked. With the current systems and structures, however, the likelihood of this happening is remote. At El Terreno, we believe that cultural exchange has the potential to create a more prosperous, sustainable and meaningful world, which is why we're building a center for social innovation in one of the most unlikely places.

    The organization is in its early stages, and as with anything innovative and a multi-cultural context, it provides novel challenges that require creative solutions. We're looking for a talented, committed and forward-thinking associates to join the team, either from home or here in the beautiful Ecuadorian Andes. Your efforts will be reflected in the success of an ambitious project that brings together local indigenous communities, NGOs, international volunteers, educational institutions and tourists from around the world.

    EL TERRENO: CULTURAL EXCHANGE CENTRE

    As a centre of cultural exchange and social innovation, we bring together local Ecuadorians and others from around the world through sustainable tourism, culture, education and ecology – to create a more meaningful, sustainable and prosperous world.

    We’re in the early stages - starting in July 2021 - but we have big ambitions! We aspire to regenerate local ecosystems, build pride in indigenous culture, provide dignified employment opportunities, offer a wide variety of unique eco & community tourism experiences, and ensure volunteers like you learn new skills, meet extraordinary people and leave with unforgettable memories.

    MEET THE FOUNDERS

    My name is Joshua and I am from the UK. I first came as a backpacker to Ecuador in 2013 and fell in love with the place - the people, the culture, the biodiversity and of course, with my Ecuadorian partner, Karina. In 2017, I returned on a one-way ticket and after time spending 3 years searching the country looking for land, we found the perfect spot to begin building a vision we had been nurturing for many years. More recently, we've been building a team of locals and international volunteers & interns to help our programme grow and thrive.



    Typical day

    For 25 hours a week (Mon-Friday) you'll dedicate your time to fundraising activities.  We provide you the following:
    • Comfortable dormitory accommodation
    • Cooked Lunches Monday-Friday
    • Essential amenities (bedsheets, blankets, hand soap, bottled water, and toilet paper).
    • Access to a communal kitchen ...

    Typical day

    For 25 hours a week (Mon-Friday) you'll dedicate your time to fundraising activities.  We provide you the following:
    • Comfortable dormitory accommodation
    • Cooked Lunches Monday-Friday
    • Essential amenities (bedsheets, blankets, hand soap, bottled water, and toilet paper).
    • Access to a communal kitchen furnished with a cooker, fridge, microwave, and coffee maker
    • Personal storage space for food items.
    • 20mb/s fiberoptic WiFi.
    • Dedicated hand-washing station for laundry
    • Available office amenities (desks, projector, whiteboard)
    • Recreational activities (hammock, ping pong table, guitar)
    • Free-Time Activity Recommendations
    • Cultural Immersion in Rural Community
    • Optional ability to help out with weekly English classes with local children
    • Written Personal Reference

    >>> TYPICAL WORKDAY OUTLINE <<<

    • 8am: Group warm up, check-in, and quick clean 
    • 8.30am – 12:30pm: Organizational fundraising work
    • 12.30pm: Group lunch provided by El Terreno
    • 2pm: Free Time

    Weekly Activities
    • Mon 2pm: Community meeting and deep cleaning
    • Tue 3pm: English classes, Atandahua (optional)

    Free-time activities

    LOCAL FREE TIME ACTIVITIES

    With your time off, you can take a walk around any of the beautiful local trails around the communities, down to the river or jump in a taxi to savor the spectacular could-covered sunset. There are regular buses into town if you would like to go shopping, try the local food ...

    Free-time activities

    LOCAL FREE TIME ACTIVITIES

    With your time off, you can take a walk around any of the beautiful local trails around the communities, down to the river or jump in a taxi to savor the spectacular could-covered sunset. There are regular buses into town if you would like to go shopping, try the local food or learn about Guaranda’s Carnaval - the most infamous in the country.

    For a day’s outing, don’t miss hiking up to Chimborazo’s refuge and enjoying a hot chocolate at over 5,000m above sea level. Alternatively, take a tour around the salt mines and micro-businesses of the nationally renowned village of Salinas de Guaranda. If you prefer warmer climates, within an hour you can drop down to sea level and go hiking in protected virgin forests in the search of pristine rivers, tropical birds and immense waterfalls. Bolívar really has it all (minus the tourist traps!).

    CLIMATE

    We are at almost 3,000m (10,000ft) above sea level and the average temperature is 13°C (55°F). Below is a list of typical weather patterns throughout the year, though climate change is definitely throwing these off, so be ready for anything!

    • Summer (Jun - Sep, around Christmas): hot sunny days (leading to water shortages), colder cloudless nights and often a strong wind
    • Winter (Feb - Apr): Often dry mornings and heavy rain in the afternoon. Less day/night temperature change and no wind.
    • Spring/Autumn (May, Oct - Jan): Somewhere between summer and winter!

    Due to the high altitude, the sun feels cooler but will burn you more easily - so be prepared with a hat and sun screen. The temperature is cool at night and Ecuadorian houses have no insulation/central heating, we have blankets and hot water bottles to help keep you cosey. Fortunately there are no mosquitos at this elevation!


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 20 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 20 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak Spanish (basic level) or English (intermediate level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    The position is open to those who have a level of fundraising education and/or experience.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 12:30

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Accommodation

    Quilico:
    Quilico is a shared communal space, with dormitories and living spaces. If you stay in Quilico, you will sleep in a shared dormitory with 4 beds. Living here is the best way to socialise with other volunteers, however it lacks privacy and services such as a washing machine. You will have access to a communal kitchen furnished with a cooker, fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. Personal storage space is provided for your food items. There are shared bathrooms and shower stalls, with hot water, and a hand-washing station for laundry. 

    Family Homestay:
    If you would prefer to practice your Spanish, get to know the local culture and enjoy a little privacy, a family homestay is also an option (subject to availability). Rooms may be humble, in keeping with the lifestyle that people live here. However, all will include a private room, hot shower, shared kitchen, WiFi and a washing station (either by hand or machine). You will also have full access to the kitchen, bathroom, living areas and WiFi of Quilico (volunteer dormitory accommodation), only a few minutes walk away.

    Food & Beverages

    We provide a cooked lunch Monday to Friday at Quilico, cooked by our volunteers. We can accommodate most dietary requirements. 

    The remainder of your food you must cook yourself, you will receive a personal basket and fridge space to store food. There are basic shops in the village and nearby town (10mins bus/30 minutes walk) or supermarkets in Guaranda (30 minutes bus)

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Mariscal Sucre International Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ecuador. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ecuador provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Ecuador you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ecuador. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Start Date & Duration

    We receive associates for a minimum of 12 weeks, generally starting in January, May and September.

    Getting To Us

    • Guaranda is equal distance between the two international airports, Quito and Guayaquil
    • Bus travel is cheap and low-risk, $7 for a 5 hour journey
    • Shared shuttle cars are available $45 for a 4 hour journey
    • 10 minutes by bus you reach the nearest town with some food & vegetables
    • 30 minutes by bus you arrive in Guaranda with supermarkets and the large weekly market
    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    12 weeks (min. stay) 0€
    50 weeks (max. stay) 0€
    Average fees 0€/week

    Program fees

    0€ per week 12 - 50 weeks Age 20 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    12 - 50 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with El Terreno during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    El Terreno

    Outstanding 4.9 rating (34 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2021

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    Joshua

    Spoken languages: Spanish, English

    About the project

    Cultural Exchange Centre in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes. Our internships help you develop skills, make a difference to low-income communities, and travel the world.

    Meet your organization

    Nestled within the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes, El Terreno is encompassed by picturesque valleys, the warmth of its people, and the richness of culture. Since 2021, El Terreno has been building a dynamic cultural exchange centre, uniting global citizens and local communities in a shared mission to foster a more meaningful, prosperous, and regenerative world. 

    We are Joshua (UK), Karina (Quito, Ecuador) and our toddler son, Liam. We have a strong passion for positive change and years of experience in social development, volunteer coordination and sustainable tourism. We chose to dedicate our lives to Atandahua due to it's amazing landscapes and people, but it's also a place with a lot of need:

    • 40% poverty
    • 48% child malnutrition
    • 75% children don't go to high school
    • 26% teenage pregnancy rate
    • >5% indigenous children speak the native language
    • 3-4 months of water shortages per year
    • 95% local forests destroyed

    With your help, we're working to regenerate local ecosystems, build pride in indigenous culture, provide dignified employment opportunities, offer a wide variety of unique eco & community tourism experiences, and ensure interns like you learn valuable skills, meet extraordinary people and leave with unforgettable memories.

    34 reviews · rating4.9

    Time spent in El Terreno has been amazing, it feels like a second home. This experience allowed me to better know a completely different way of living, a slow, easy, and sustainable life, which I have taken back home with me for sure. Discovering a unique culture and so many beautiful people, ...
    Meaningful opportunity and amazing experience. Overall, I'm very grateful for my time in El Terrano. The program worked closely with the community, allowing you to really experience Ecuador and the local culture. It's clear that the program is aimed to give back to the community and help to improve ...
    Matthieu Levasseur rating5

    2024 at Education & English Teaching Internship

    Interning with El Terreno was an incredible experience! Every aspect, from project organization to social activities and daily life, was meticulously planned and executed perfectly. Joshua, the founder, is truly one of the most inspiring individuals you could meet. He settled in the area, built ...
    I really liked the mix of languages, cultural knowledge but also the constant help from Joshua from administration questions to more specific topics as cultures, architecture (in my case), history or local politics. I felt like I could ask whatever question I had and always got the help I needed ...
    Matthieu Levasseur rating5

    2024 at Community Water Projects Internship

    Interning with El Terreno was an incredible experience! Every aspect, from project organization to social activities and daily life, was meticulously planned and executed perfectly. Joshua, the founder, is truly one of the most inspiring individuals you could meet. He settled in the area, built ...
    After doing an internship of 6 weeks at El Terreno I can say without hesitation that I loved the experience. Joshua is open for the different goals and experiences people strive for, making it easy to create a well suited programme. It allowed me to develop myself in a new environment wherein I ...

    Location

    Americas > South America > Ecuador > Guaranda

    You might also be interested in

    Contact Joshua
      Excellent response rate
    Spanish, English

    Most volunteers ask about


    Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Joshua
    Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

    Book with Flex Option!

    Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

    Enjoy our services for dedicated volunteers!

    Enjoy a Refund Guarantee, Free Flex Option, and Emergency Assistance. Our Price-Guarantee ensures unbeatable value, and our Support Team is ready to assist.