Community Fundraiser Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Most Community Fundraiser interviews in the UK follow a pattern, and knowing it beats guessing. Below are eight questions from our bank of 16, each with a note on what the interviewer is really after.

Eight Community Fundraiser interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. What licences and legal permissions might a supporter need for community fundraising activities such as a street collection, a raffle or a sponsored event?

Why they ask: Community fundraisers must advise supporters correctly so that activities stay legal and safe.

2. How do you support supporters who set up online fundraising pages on JustGiving or similar platforms?

Why they ask: Supporter-led online fundraising is a major income source, so they test your practical knowledge.

3. How would you plan and risk-assess a community fundraising event, and how do you judge whether it is worth doing?

Why they ask: Events can be expensive and risky, so they test your planning and commercial thinking.

4. How would you recruit and manage runners for a mass-participation event such as the London Marathon, and what are the risks of charity places?

Why they ask: Challenge events are a mainstay of community fundraising, with real financial commitments attached.

5. How do you recruit and manage community volunteers and fundraising groups, such as Rotary clubs, schools or local committees?

Why they ask: Community fundraising depends on partnerships and volunteers beyond the staff team.

6. A supporter wants to do a high-risk stunt, such as a skydive or a long distance run in extreme heat, for your charity. How do you respond?

Why they ask: They want to see that you balance enthusiasm with safety and reputational risk.

7. Tell me about a time you raised significant income through events or community activity.

Why they ask: They want evidence that you deliver results and understand the work behind them.

8. What does a typical week as a community fundraiser look like?

Why they ask: They want to confirm you understand the mix of outreach, administration and weekend working.

A sample answer to question 1

What licences and legal permissions might a supporter need for community fundraising activities such as a street collection, a raffle or a sponsored event?

For street collections, a permit is required from the local authority under the Police, Factories etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916, usually obtained by the charity or the organiser, and there are rules on who can collect, sealed tins and how the money is counted. House-to-house collections need a licence under the House to House Collections Act 1939, unless an exemption applies. Raffles and lotteries are governed by the Gambling Act 2005, so for example, a raffle held at an event and drawn on the day is an incidental lottery, with no licence needed if certain rules are met, whereas a lottery run over time may need to be registered as a small society lottery with the local council. For events, supporters need landowner permission, public liability insurance, risk assessments, and for road-based events, police or council consent. I would give supporters a clear information pack and a point of contact, and I would check the details with our compliance lead if there is any uncertainty.

Common mistake to avoid: Telling supporters to just go ahead; Guessing rather than checking

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 16 questions are on the Community Fundraiser interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.