# The Gift Aid claim and the owl project

“The Gift Aid claim and the owl project” is a fundraising officer job simulation on FinderK. You work at Kestrel Valley Wildlife Trust, an original fictional company, and complete 3 assignments in about 75 minutes. It is for anyone who wants to practice fundraising officer work. No previous work experience is required.

- Role: Fundraising officer
- Industry: Nonprofit fundraising
- Career: Public and nonprofit services (https://finderk.com/careers/public-and-nonprofit-services)
- Level: Intermediate
- Time: About 75 minutes, 3 assignments
- Access: Included in Plus
- Created by: FinderK
- Work tools: Mail, Office documents and spreadsheets, Tables, Chat
- Page: https://finderk.com/simulations/the-gift-aid-claim-and-the-owl-project
- Last updated: 2026-10-10

## Summary

Check two months of donations for the Gift Aid claim, then tell a major donor that the project she funded has been cancelled and give her a real choice, and report both to the fundraising committee.

## Full brief

You are the fundraising officer at a wildlife charity. You decide which donations can be included in the quarterly Gift Aid claim, applying rules about companies, tickets, benefits, tax status and late declarations. Then you write to a donor whose 15,000 pound gift was for a project that has just been cancelled, giving her an honest choice without moving her money for her, and you prepare a short paper for the fundraising committee. Automated checks confirm your figures and saved work; your judgement is reviewed against the standard for the role.

## What is Kestrel Valley Wildlife Trust?

Kestrel Valley Wildlife Trust is a fictional local conservation charity with nine nature reserves, 23 staff and about 2,600 members, funded mainly by members, donors and grants. It claims Gift Aid quarterly and keeps restricted gifts for the purposes donors give them for. This case runs from Monday 7 to Friday 11 December 2026. Amounts are in pounds.

## Who do you play?

You are the fundraising officer in the Fundraising team. You look after donors and prepare the Gift Aid claim, which Peter submits. You may write to donors once Amara has agreed the approach for gifts of 5,000 pounds or more. You may not spend, move or redirect a restricted gift, or tell a donor it has been redirected. Only the donor can agree a new purpose; trustees approve refunds over 5,000 pounds.

## What will you do?

1. 1. Check the Gift Aid claim (25 minutes)
2. 2. Write to Mrs Wainwright (25 minutes)
3. 3. Report to the fundraising committee (25 minutes)

## Which skills will you practice?

- Apply Gift Aid rules donation by donation
- Handle restricted funds within charity rules
- Give a major donor bad news and a real choice
- Report figures and decisions to a committee

## Frequently asked questions

### How long does “The Gift Aid claim and the owl project” take?

About 75 minutes, across 3 assignments. When the time is up, you get 10 minutes to round up and submit. Pausing stops the clock.

### Is “The Gift Aid claim and the owl project” free?

No. It is included in FinderK Plus. With a free account you can also do it without grading.

### Do I need fundraising officer experience?

No. No previous work experience is required. The listed level is intermediate.

### What do I get when I finish?

You get feedback on each assignment you submit. Completing all required assignments earns a completion certificate. It records participation and is not professional accreditation.

### Is Kestrel Valley Wildlife Trust a real company?

No. Kestrel Valley Wildlife Trust is an original fictional company made for practice. Its coworkers may make mistakes, so check their suggestions against the evidence.