Holly Johnson

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Social Bite

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

Immediately after graduating from Exeter, I began an MA in Art Gallery and Museum Studies at the University of Manchester. Following some disruption caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, I landed my first full time permanent arts role in 2021 as an Administrator at Jupiter Artland, a sculpture park on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

Having cut my teeth in a small arts organisation, I then moved to Edinburgh International Festival as a Philanthropy Officer, where I learned about the wide world of fundraising. I ran donor events, led membership acquisition campaigns, and managed the relationships of several Major Donors.

With all the fundraising tools under my belt, I have transitioned to the welfare charity sector and now work for Social Bite, a homelessness charity, as their Individual Giving Manager. I oversee large scale campaigns that bring in much needed funds to provide free food, employability programmes, support systems, and dignified temporary accommodation to people experiencing homelessness across the UK.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

Every fundraiser I know just ‘fell into’ the sector one day, and I am no exception. Whilst it was an unexpected career path, I absolutely love my work because it allows me to exercise different skillsets depending on the day. I use my creative skills to write compelling campaigns, my people skills to maintain good relationships with donors, and my analytical skills to locate new funding opportunities. It also helps knowing that every penny you bring in goes towards changing someone’s life for the better.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

I was a member of the University Dance Society and Legion Dance Society, XTV, and an extremely frequent visitor to Exeter Campus Cinema. I also volunteered at the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

The highlight definitely came in my final year, in which I got to take a module that gave us direct access to working with the Bill Douglas Museum collection, and co-curate an exhibit using its objects. This then opened the door for me to curate my own small exhibit for the museum later in the year, of which I was exceptionally proud.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

The creative community at Exeter was just wonderful. Whether it be through dance, filmmaking, or museum curation, it always felt like a very nurturing environment.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

Having a university that prioritised Film as a subject just as much as English was very important to me. With a resource like the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum on campus was unparalleled to anywhere else I considered. Having also grown up rurally, the abundance of green space on campus was also a plus!

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

I believe that it was the extracurricular activities that helped the most in getting me where I am today. Volunteering with the Bill Douglas Museum during my degree was what helped propel me into the cultural sector, and then into fundraising. Graduating with proof that you took initiative (i.e. you didn’t just go to class and call it a day) helped give me an edge in the entry level job market.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Be open to new opportunities as they present themselves! Fundraising on the surface may not sound like the most glamorous of careers (I assure you, it can be), but if like me you are creative, analytical, and enjoy chatting with people, fundraising may be the career for you.

What are your plans for the future?

With so many issues facing the world today, charities will always need effective communicators and fundraisers to help bring people closer to the cause. I plan to continue growing my career in fundraising and would love to be seen as a mentor for those new to the sector.