Jobs for the Disability sector

Calibre Audio is a national charity providing accessible audiobooks to people who are unable to read print due to visual impairment, dyslexia, or other conditions. Through a digital-first service and diverse library, the charity enables children and adults to experience the joy and lifelong benefits of reading, while increasingly delivering impact across literacy, education, wellbeing and social inclusion.

Fundraising at Calibre Audio is entering an exciting new phase of development. The charity has recently appointed its first Director of Fundraising & Communications, bringing fundraising, communications and brand together under a newly created leadership role. With a refreshed organisational narrative, ambitious plans for growth and a renewed focus on increasing income and profile, fundraising is becoming an increasingly important driver of Calibre Audio’s future impact.

Trusts and foundations are a key part of this growth strategy. Historically, income has been generated through a combination of loyal funders and a high volume of smaller grants. The organisation is now seeking to build a more strategic trusts programme focused on stronger stewardship, deeper funder relationships, larger grants and long-term partnerships. There is significant untapped potential, including opportunities to re-engage previous funders, develop new relationships and secure support for a range of compelling programmes spanning literacy, education, disability, wellbeing and community impact.

The Senior Trusts Fundraiser will lead this work, partnering closely with the Director to shape and deliver the next phase of trusts fundraising at Calibre Audio. This is a role with genuine scope to influence strategy, develop new opportunities and make a visible contribution to organisational growth. It would suit an ambitious trusts fundraiser who enjoys relationship building as much as writing applications and is motivated by the opportunity to help build something.

As Senior Trusts Fundraiser, you will:

• Develop and implement a strategic trusts and foundations fundraising programme aligned with organisational priorities
• Identify, research and cultivate new funding opportunities, with a focus on larger and multi-year grants
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of prospective trusts and foundations
• Develop compelling, high-quality funding applications, proposals and report
• Secure significant income from a portfolio of trusts and foundations
• Build and strengthen long-term relationships with funders through excellent stewardship and engagement
• Reactivate and develop relationships with previous funders and supporters
• Work closely with colleagues across the organisation to gather impact data and develop compelling cases for support
• Act as a key ambassador for Calibre Audio with funders and external stakeholders

Essential skills and experience:

• Proven track record of securing five-figure grants from trusts and foundations
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to develop persuasive and compelling funding applications
• Strong prospect research and pipeline development skills
• Experience identifying, developing and securing new funding opportunities
• Excellent verbal communication skills and confidence engaging with external stakeholders
• A proactive and entrepreneurial approach, with the ability to spot opportunities and drive activity forward
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Desirable, but not essential:

• Experience securing six-figure and/or multi-year grants
• Knowledge of the disability, literacy, education or wellbeing sectors
• Experience using Beacon CRM
• Experience contributing to fundraising strategy

Calibre Audio are also keen to hear from ambitious early-career fundraisers. Whilst a track record of securing trusts funding is essential, we are more interested in your potential, approach and attributes than the size of grants you have secured to date. If you bring strong relationship-building skills, initiative and an entrepreneurial mindset, this role offers an exceptional opportunity to work closely with an experienced fundraising leader, benefit from coaching and mentoring, and play a key role in shaping a growing trusts programme.

Employee benefits include

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and an additional Calibre Christmas closure day
• Matched pension contributions up to 5% of salary
• Medical Cash Plan (Hive Insurance Bronze Package)
• Life Assurance cover of 2 x salary
• Employee Assistance Programme 
• Reward Gateway, offering discounts and savings across hundreds of retailers
• Free on-site parking