Business and community fundraising officer jobs

We're FIRST UK, a EdTech charity using robots, role models and competitions to make STEM more approachable and inclusive – empowering young people with the technical knowledge and soft skills to engineer better futures. 

It’s an exciting time to join us as we move from startup into scaling mode. We’re backed by some of the world’s leading tech-enabled businesses including Arm, Purposeful Ventures, Smiths Group, Bloomberg, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and many more.

In summer 2026 we’ll publish a new 5-year strategy articulating how we will build more than robots in schools and community groups nationwide, alongside growing our annual income to £2m by 2027.

It’s easy to see why competitions like this really do help students develop the skills they’re going to need for the rest of their lives. Honestly, I wish I had something like this when I was at school.

Spencer Kelly, BBC Broadcaster

What we're looking for

A fundraiser, partnerships guru, and consummate relationship builder. Someone who can support the CEO to identify, go after, and convert opportunities which sustain and scale the charity’s impact. Broadly this means more money and greater participation. Through your ability to seek out and support the relationships which matter most you will ensure the charity secures:

• Income generating relationships with trusts, foundations, and philanthropists
• Corporate partnerships fuelling our programmes with funding and volunteers
• Collaborations with organisations supporting outreach and growth
• An ecosystem of proactive trustees, advisors, ambassadors and advocates

Working closely with the CEO you’ll get the charity in front of the right people, having the right conversations which grow investment and participation. Your tenacity will help build and steward a network to achieve our mission better and sooner.

Who this might suit

A people person. You love seeking out and building relationships, then maximising their impact. You might have worked in a charity fundraising position before. You understand what good looks like in terms of brokering strong partnerships – and relish the mix of research, prospecting, proposal development, pitching, and importantly onward stewardship of the relationships we win to ensure we amplify, leverage and retain them.

Whatever your background – the common, transferable skill set is being excellent at relationships. Understanding that it’s not just about the chat, it’s about the follow through. You do what you say you will – and do it well.

The experience you'll have

• Evidence of winning income (e.g corporate partnerships, sponsorship, grants etc)
• Evidence of driving growth (this might be in sales, membership, users, income etc)
• Experience stewarding relationships (partners, funders, trustees, volunteers, stakeholders)

You might also possess

• Passion for STEM, tech for good, inclusion

What you'll get

Responsibility, autonomy, sense of purpose. You’ll be working in a small organisation which is lean, agile and fast-paced. Unimpeded by hierarchy and bureaucracy you’ll have the freedom to experiment, fail fast and crack on. You’ll be presenting a compelling case for support against a validated impact model. Long before pandemics we were working flexibly and remotely – it’s embedded to our culture.

I'm in, what's next?

• Check out the full role profile on our HR platform
• Browse our website and get familiar with our mission
• Answer 3 short screening questions, upload CV and hang tight until Sun 08th Mar
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview by Thu 12th Mar

Safer recruitment

You must live in and have the right to work in the UK. In accordance with our Safer Recruitment Policy, all employees of the charity will be asked for two references which will be conducted by phone and are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks upon appointment. 

To enable Operation Smile’s global surgical activities, OSUK’s Partnerships Team works to maximise high-potential income channels such as corporate partnerships, major donors, community fundraisers and trusts and foundations.

We have created an exciting new position in our team for an ambitious and confident relationship fundraiser. Working as part of the Partnership Team, the Philanthropy Manager position will secure critical income from new and existing major donors through compelling, donor-centred approaches and excellent stewardship.

The position will build on existing relationships with individuals who make significant personal donations, aiming to grow their contributions, as well as making approaches to new prospects, working closely with the Director of Partnerships.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Philanthropy Development

• Ensure achievement of annual income target for philanthropy
• Develop and implement plans for a structured philanthropy programme, for both new and existing donors, aligning their giving with our strategic priorities
• Take primary responsibility for managing the current small pool of major donors, to grow and sustain their giving – strategic development of each relationship will be essential
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of new major donor prospects, creating propositions/proposals and making approaches, working with the Director of Partnerships
• Seek peer-to-peer introductions to new prospects, from existing donors, board members and other contacts
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to donors and internal stakeholders
• Work with the Communications team to generate media presence and content to attract philanthropic interest from new prospects
• Represent Operation Smile UK in global philanthropy discussions, applying any global strategies to develop successful fundraising plans for the UK
• Lead on development and management of any philanthropy cultivation events

Additional Responsibilities

• Create and maintain annual philanthropy budget and business plan, including activities from current supporters and forecasting new business income

Additional Information

• 2 years’ experience in a philanthropy or business development role
• We promote flexible and hybrid working, with 2 days per week in our London office in Battersea (nearest stations Clapham Junction and Wandsworth Town). There will also be some UK travel for meetings, conferences and events.
• Some overseas travel required to visit projects and partner countries, a highlight of the role!

First-round interviews are set for the week of 2nd March 2026. We strongly encourage early applications.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We're a Disability Confident Committed employer, so we guarantee an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the minimum requirements for the job.

At Operation Smile UK, we value individuals based on their performance and potential. We're dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that supports everyone's needs. We're happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the application and employment process, and we particularly welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.

If you need this document in a different format, require any adjustments, or need help with your application, please contact us (further details contained within the job description).

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Operation Smile UK knows fundraising could better reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people the charity sector supports. If you don’t meet every requirement but believe your transferable skills align with the role, we encourage you to contact us for a conversation. 

We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of, age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We celebrate diversity and encourage you to bring your authentic self to Operation Smile UK. We are committed to supporting all applicants and ensuring a fair hiring process. All appointments will be made solely on merit, and we are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. 

This is a part time role, responsible for leading the fundraising efforts of Canaan Project.

Working closely with the Director, the Fundraising Lead will contribute to strategic funding development and planning, support ongoing fundraising and reporting activities, and assist in the development of relevant policies and processes.

If this sounds like the right role for you, please send us your CV and a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role.

Application closing date: 25th February 2026 at 5pm

Interviews will potentially be scheduled for the week beginning Monday 4th March. 

Join Racing Welfare as Head of Fundraising and Make a Lasting Impact!

Are you an ambitious, results-driven fundraising leader with a passion for making a difference? Racing Welfare is looking for an exceptional Head of Fundraising to join our senior management team and take the helm of a thriving, high-performance fundraising operation. This is a unique opportunity for someone who wants to shape the future of British horseracing’s charitable support, driving growth and innovation in a vital sector.

About Racing Welfare:

Racing Welfare is a registered charity dedicated to supporting the workforce of British horseracing – from stud, stable, and racecourse staff to those in related professions. Our mission is to help these dedicated individuals thrive in their careers and lives, offering guidance, practical assistance, and support throughout their journey – from recruitment to retirement.

The Role:

As Head of Fundraising, you will play a central role in Racing Welfare’s strategic direction and growth. You’ll work closely with the Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer to craft and execute an ambitious fundraising strategy that delivers innovative income streams to fund our vital services. You’ll lead, inspire, and develop a talented team, empowering them to deliver outstanding fundraising initiatives and events that drive real change.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop & Deliver Fundraising Strategy: Work with senior leadership to shape the charity’s fundraising vision, ensuring the strategy aligns with our wider goals and drives long-term sustainability.
• Innovative Fundraising Campaigns: Create and implement engaging campaigns, managing budgets and evaluating performance to optimise success.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and motivate a high-performing fundraising team, supporting their professional growth and achieving collective goals.
• Building Strategic Partnerships: Cultivate relationships with trusts, foundations, and corporate partners to build lasting, mutually beneficial collaborations.
• Drive Operational Excellence: Oversee day-to-day fundraising operations, ensuring smooth management of income, expenditure, and compliance.

You Will Bring:

• Proven experience in fundraising or commercial management, with a track record of successfully recruiting donors and sponsors.
• A natural leader with exceptional people management skills, able to inspire and empower teams to excel.
• Solid experience in budgeting, financial planning, and performance management.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and motivate diverse stakeholders.
• A passion for innovation and the ability to think strategically about fundraising opportunities.

Bonus: Experience in the horseracing industry is desirable, but not essential.

Why Racing Welfare?

This is your chance to take on a leadership role in a respected and impactful charity. You’ll be part of a passionate team, working in a dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth. The role offers flexibility with the option to work from home or our Newmarket office, alongside occasional travel across the UK (including evenings and weekends).

As a charity, wellbeing is at the forefront of all we do. We aim to be a leading employer in the industry and make sure everyone at Racing Welfare has the opportunity to thrive.

If you’re ready to make a significant contribution to the future of Racing Welfare and help improve the lives of those who dedicate themselves to British horseracing, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply Today:
 Submit your CV and covering letter to join Racing Welfare and lead our fundraising efforts to new heights.

We welcome enquiries from everyone and value diversity in our workforce. The closing date for this role is 16 February 2026. First stage interviews will be held the week commencing 23 February 2026 in person in Newmarket. We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date if we receive a large number of suitable applications.

Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 DOE

Racing Welfare is committed to safeguarding and will always recruit all personnel in line with government guidelines, relevant legislation, and the Charity Commission's best practice guidance.

This post is not exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. We only ask applicants to disclose convictions which are not yet spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

Racing Welfare’s Safeguarding Statement of Intent can be found on our website.

The Bikeability Trust is entering a new exciting phase of our strategy to 2035 to ensure more children can cycle with confidence. A year into our strategy we have reviewed Executive Team roles and responsibilities and are now looking for a creative Communications and Fundraising Director to lead our mission driven communications, income generation and impact reporting functions.

You will be an experience senior leader in communications, who has the drive to take our strategy to the next level. A key member of the Executive Team, working across the home based diverse staff team to bring together the impact of our work through corporate communications and influencing. We recommend reading our annual reviews on the Bikeability website to see a flavour of the work you could be leading.

Our income generation work is focussed on small impactful corporate partnerships, we have tested some individual giving and are planning to host a fundraising Ball in 2026. Experience in fundraising is desirable, with communications experience as essential as this role will ensure strong relationships with Government. 

If you would like to have a short discussion with the CEO before applying please contact Emily Cherry CEO. We are looking to interview shortlisted candidates on the 23rd or 25th February. We are looking for a candidate to start from 1st April or sooner. 

** To read the full job description and submit your application and CV, please visit the Vacancies Page on the Libraries Unlimited website **

Senior Fundraising & Business Development Officer – (Job ref: FBD001)

Salary: £28,800 gross per annum (£36,000 FTE)
Hours: 29.6 hours over 4 days (working pattern to be discussed with successful candidate)
Location: Hybrid (home working and Exeter Library)
Closing date: 9am, Monday 2nd March 2026
Interview date: Thursday 19th March 2026 at Cullompton Library

We’re one of Devon’s biggest charities, with a passion for enriching the lives of local people and communities through the power of reading. We’re looking to continue our success of generating income to support our charitable activities, and so if you also have a record of success, and a passion for what we do, then we’d love to hear from you. In return we can offer:

• 24 days holiday per year, plus Bank Holidays, rising to 26 days after 5 years’ continuous service
• Pension – defined contribution pension scheme with matched employer contributions of up to 6%
• Enhanced maternity and shared parental pay / Enhanced paternity pay
• Free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme offering practical and emotional support by phone and online
• Access to free and discounted tickets to live music, comedy, theatre and sports events in the UK via Tickets for Good
• Cycle to Work Scheme/ Employee Benefits Scheme with Extras Discounts

** To read the full job description and submit your application and CV, please visit the Vacancies Page on the Libraries Unlimited website **

Want your fundraising to change lives, not just balance sheets?

The Friendly Food Club is looking for an ambitious, values-driven Fundraising & Partnerships Manager to grow income, build powerful partnerships, and help create healthier futures for families across Dorset and BCP.

The Friendly Food Club supports people from vulnerable groups and communities by building their cooking skills, confidence and resilience, to help break the cycle of food insecurity and low wellbeing.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of an established and growing charity and deliver real-world impact every day.

This role is perfect for someone who:

• Is aligned with our values of care, good health, inclusion and community
• Brings empathy, energy and a people-first approach
• Has a friendly, creative, resilient and solutions-focused mindset
• It happy to get stuck in and involved at all levels of development and delivery
• Lives in Dorset or BCP areas who likes a mix of working from home and getting out and about.

The role will:

• Develop and deliver Friendly Food Club’s fundraising strategy to align with the charity’s priorities.
• Identify, build and steward strong, values-aligned long-term funding and partnership relationships.
• Write compelling and effective funding applications, proposals and impact reports
• Monitor income performance and report to the CEO and Board
• Represent Friendly Food Club externally as an ambassador for its mission and values

Apply now and help cook up healthier futures for thousands across Dorset.

If you want your work to truly matter — and to be part of a supportive, mission-led team — we’d love to hear from you.

Deadline 28 February 2026 | In person interviews mid-March 2026 | Start date: Flexible for the right person

Are you an energetic, creative, and organised individual with experience in fundraising and partnership development? Do you want to use your skills to help secure the long-term future of our environment and ecosystems? Join us as we inspire and empower people across Oxfordshire to work together for nature’s recovery.

Work location: Manor House, Little Wittenham. This is a hybrid role, with an expectation of working in the office an average of three days per week, including Tuesdays. Additionally, some evening and weekend work will be necessary to attend networking events.  

As a flexible employer, we’re ideally looking for a person full-time to join our enthusiastic and knowledgeable team but will consider part-time applicants (minimum 21 hours).

• Work with our Chief Executive to lead income-generation and secure our long-term future.
• Create, implement, and monitor our fundraising plans.
• Coordinate and deliver all aspects of fundraising and income generation working with our Chief Executive, Trustees, volunteers, staff, and partners across multiple programmes and partnerships.
• Develop relationships with funders including individuals, trusts, local authorities, funding bodies, and corporates.

Wild Oxfordshire is a charity seeking to create a more natural, resilient, and biodiverse Oxfordshire for the benefit of all. We catalyse change by identifying needs, convening partnerships, and unlocking opportunities for nature recovery action. We collaborate with numerous individuals, communities and organisations, offering expertly curated and inspiring information, bespoke advice, and nature-based solutions.

The person specification and role description, outlining the requirements for the role, are available on our website. Interviews will be held on Monday 22nd or Tuesday 23rd March, with a planned start date of 1st May (if possible).

We're looking for an enthusiastic Head of Fundraising with a strong track record in fundraising and grant management, who is particularly motivated to join Khulisa because of a deep commitment to our mission – supporting the wellbeing and mental health of young people.

About Khulisa

Khulisa, meaning 'nurture' in the Zulu language of South Africa, is an award-winning charity dedicated to providing therapeutic support to young people. We focus on reaching those who are most at risk – young people from deprived communities who are often marginalized, vulnerable to exclusion, and at heightened risk of becoming involved in crime

Our approach centres on safe, exploratory methods that aim to understand behaviour and experiences often rooted in trauma, abuse, and neglect. We deliver intensive therapeutic programs within educational and community settings, empowering young people to confront the underlying causes of their emotional distress and work toward healing. To create lasting, sustainable change, we work to establish trauma-informed environments around young people by equipping parents, caregivers, educators, and other professionals with the tools they need to offer effective, supportive care. Currently, our services are active in London and Manchester.

About the role

Over the last two consecutive financial years, we have raised approximately £1 million each year – primarily through trusts and foundations, corporate donors, and individual supporters. As the successful candidate, you and the team you lead will play a pivotal role in maintaining this level of fundraising success, ensuring our vital work with young people continues to flourish. This role will involve:

• Reviewing and evaluating our funder qualification processes to ensure donors align with our values and meet our ethical standards.
• Ensuring that detailed research on prospective funding opportunities, including trusts, foundations, corporate partners, HNWIs, are carried out and that plans for making approaches are developed and carefully implemented.
• Initiating, nurturing and maintaining strong relationships with prospective funders and donors.
• Working together with the Senior Leadership to develop and periodically review Khulisa's 3-year fundraising strategy, taking ownership of key elements and processes, and periodically developing and testing new fundraising approaches.

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please see the attached job description below. 

The post holder will be required to work from home permanently but be willing and able to easily travel to various locations across the London and the North West as necessary to fulfill the requirements of the role and to engage with stakeholders and colleagues.

What we're looking for

Abilities/Experiences

• Extensive fundraising and grant management experience working on large bids (£100K plus).
• Excellent writing skills with ability to produce clear, concise and engaging reports.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and build relationships easily.
• Demonstrable experience of successfully raising funds from Trusts & Foundations, Corporates and Major Donors.
• Experience of leading or significantly contributing to development and/or delivery of a fundraising strategy.
• Experience of budget management and financial processes in income generation activities.
• Experience of mobilising and managing implementation of grant agreements from initiation to reporting and possibly reapplication.
• Ability to confidently negotiate or renegotiate with senior stakeholders on programme budgets, deliverables and objectives. 

Knowledge/Skills

• Good knowledge of Khulisa's work and ability to use this to creatively engage with new donors and secure their interest.
• Strong knowledge of CRM database, preferably Salesforce, in managing funder/donor relationships and fundraising activities.
• Strong account management and negotiation skills.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We are actively looking to recruit a diversity of talent. We embrace, respect and value the difference in our employees and believe that we and our work is better for it. We are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment that consists of fairness, dignity, and caring for everyone, and one that enables every employee to flourish and realise their potential.

About BoB:

Build on Belief’s mission is to ensure sure that anyone with lived experience of alcohol or drug problems has a place where they can get on-going peer support from others with similar experience – to help them improve their quality of life, health and wellbeing, reintegrate into wider society and benefit the local community.

BoB exists to help people at all stages in their lives to overcome the harm caused by their drug or alcohol use. It does this by combatting loneliness, overcoming stigma, introducing people to positive friendship groups, and providing activities that people find meaningful.

Job purpose:

This is a creative opportunity for someone who wants to make a difference with one of the country’s leading Lived Experience Recovery Organisations for individuals who have or have had a substance use disorder.

The Innovation, Development Fundraising Manager is a new role within the charity. The purpose of this position is to work with the Senior Leadership Team and other staff members to:

· Help develop and fund new activities in our existing services.

· Through the development and modelling of pilot projects, help the SLT with the implementation of our three-year strategy and seek funding through trust and grant foundations for the delivery of the above.

· Collaborate with the Chief Executive to identify and apply for new funding streams that support the work and growth of the charity and build on our current service delivery.

You will seek to develop and diversify the base of supporters and to achieve fundraising targets working with the CEO and SLT, supported by the board of trustees. We want to continue with our local services contracted income but also to develop other income streams, expand our supporter networks and build our sustainability for the future.

The successful candidate will also develop and maintain appropriate relationships with trusts, foundations and their representatives, ensuring the highest quality of stewardship and cultivation of a proactive relationship-based approach to seeking new funding opportunities.

Working as part of a small leadership team and, reporting to the Chief Executive, you’ll capitalise on our success in partnering with some large addiction treatment providers. These have delivered innovative approaches to recovery across London.

With this backdrop, we will look to you to develop and deliver successful plans to diversify and optimise our income as well as developing the tools, processes and internal expertise to ensure sustainability.

The post holder would have the opportunity of working with a passionate, dedicated small central team, with a positive team spirit. There is a high level of commitment to developing this new area of income generation from management and trustees providing the post holder with the opportunity to excel and meet strategic targets. 

Responsibilities and main duties:

o Work closely with the CEO, Board of Trustees, and others in the leadership team to develop and spearhead delivery of a funding and financial plan that will enable delivery of our mission, strategy 2026-29 and delivering our financial strategic objectives.

o Proactively research and develop opportunities from trusts and foundations, developing a funding database and pipeline.

o Working with the CEO and service managers, initializing, and developing projects, producing compelling funding proposals and grant applications, initiating prospect meetings, and confidently pitching new funders to successfully convert prospects to funders or donors.

o Work with the leadership team and local service managers, and volunteers to fundraise local community support activity in the areas we operate in.

o Explore and test new fundraising approaches (such as events and corporate) to further grow and diversify income,

o Research and implement the introduction of a suitable CRM system to maintain accurate records of all fundraising activity (including contracted income), providing high quality reports to the leadership team, CEO and trustees, and to develop a data led approach to future fundraising.

o Manage and monitor ongoing funder reporting, ensuring that effective records of grant/funding bids and their conditions are kept and strictly adhered to by project leads, and that interim and end of project reporting is completed to a high standard, consulting with project leads where appropriate.

o Build and sustain strong relationships with a broad range of funding individuals and organizations, using a wide range of appropriate stewardship approaches to develop and retain their support for Build on Belief.

o Stay informed of existing and new fundraising legislation and ensure all fundraising activities are compliant with the Code of Fundraising Practice and all other statutory obligations, maintaining and communicating internal policies as appropriate.

o Actively instill an organizational culture of fundraising, ensuring that everyone in the organization, including our trustees, understands and contributes to our fundraising strategy.

o Develop a good working knowledge of the charity’s activities, our approaches to addiction and recovery and some of the wider evidence base to tackle addiction and dependency to represent BoB authoritatively to supporters and external audiences.

Experience

o Experience and proven record of soliciting, managing, and securing income from trusts and foundations, corporates, and/or major donors.

o Experience of developing successful grant applications and proposals for support to trusts and foundations.

o Digital fundraising fluency including experience of using and/or developing a CRM system to support fundraising activities and understanding of digital fundraising approaches.

Knowledge

o Strong understanding of the current UK charitable funding landscape including excellent knowledge of charitable grant giving organizations.

o Knowledge of fundraising best practices, regulation, and policies.

Skills and personal attributes

o An outstanding written communicator with the ability to absorb and synthesize complex information and translate this into compelling written cases for support.

o Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills with the ability to relate to, influence and persuade internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

o Ability to prioritize a demanding workload and a committed approach to achieving results and targets under time pressure.

o To learn and evaluate creative approaches and to remain resilient in the face of setbacks.

o Well-developed organizational and planning skills, able to develop ideas and concepts into effective action plans and then deliver them.

o Strong empathy and commitment to helping those with adverse histories and lifestyles, drawn from their own lived experiences, aspiring to inclusion, diversity, and equity.

Benefits

Along with a competitive salary and an opportunity to work alongside an inspiring team of people with lived experience, we can offer:

o 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)

o Flexible working and hybrid/home working 

o Support with training, professional growth and development.

o Enhanced statutory benefits.

How to apply

Please send us your CV with a covering letter by FRIDAY 20th February 2026 @ 5PM. 

Recruitment process

Stage 1: Application closing date Friday 20th February 2026 by 5pm.

Stage 2: Shortlist notification to candidates: w/c 23rd February 2026.

Stage 4: Shortlist interviews in person London, Earls Court w/c 2nd March 2026.

Stage 6: Notification 9th March 2026.

You can let us know as part of your application if you require any adjustments or support through the recruitment process.

If you do not exactly fit all the criteria but have relevant experience and passion for the role that could make you a great candidate, we would still love to hear from you.

We promote inclusion, diversity and equity throughout our recruitment process and in our workplace. We welcome your application regardless of age, caring responsibilities, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, religion or belief, sexual orientation and lived experience of addiction.

We’re looking for an ambitious and creative Business Development Manager to help Honeypot transform the lives of young carers. This is a unique opportunity to grow sustainable income while making a real, visible impact. You’ll build inspiring partnerships with corporate businesses, spotting new opportunities and turning bold ideas into meaningful support for our charity. Working closely with a passionate fundraising team, you’ll research pipelines, open new doors, and champion our mission wherever you go.

If you’re an experienced fundraisier  (3 years or more in a charitable organisation), have business development experience, and be a natural relationship-builder who’s motivated by cause and purpose as much as performance, we’d love to hear from you.

·

Senior Community and Events Fundraising Officer

Contract: Permanent, Full Time, 35 hours per week.

Location: London, UK. 

Hybrid Working: A minimum of 40% (2 days) of working time is spent face to face, either in London office, or as a result of external engagement or travel for WaterAid. WaterAid is located at Canary Wharf, London and this will be your location and contract base. In order to apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK. 

Salary: £39,358 - £41,325 per year with excellent benefits.

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the team:

This role is in the Community, Events and Education team who sit within the Mass Engagement department. The team manage and deliver a diverse portfolio of fundraising and engagement activity ranging from challenge events, our partnership with Glastonbury festival to a busy community fundraising programme, our volunteer Speaker Network and an education engagement programme.

The team delivers far more than income by deepening the engagement of new and existing supporters and raising awareness of WaterAid’s work. 

About the Role

The Senior Community and Events Fundraising Officer is responsible for managing fundraising partnerships with small and medium-sized enterprises, including developing new business opportunities and creating stewardship journeys for employee fundraising. The role also manages WaterAid’s corporate events such as WaterAid’s Dragon Boat Race, working with choir groups to fundraise as part of the Sing for Water event, and stewards the 4Water volunteer network. 

In addition, the role supports the delivery of WaterAid’s virtual fundraising products, including Walk for Water, Just Water and Swim Marathon. This includes delivering excellent supporter journeys and developing fundraising resources to effectively steward and engage these audiences.

To be successful, you’ll need:

We are looking for an ambitious and proactive fundraiser with experience in community, events and corporate fundraising. You will have:

• At least 4 years’ experience working within a community and events fundraising team, with responsibility for corporate or SME fundraising and employee engagement, events management and delivery, and fundraising product development. 
• Experience of managing budgets, analysing data, and reporting on performance.  
• Experience of working on virtual fundraising products.  
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to inspire supporters and communicate the impact of their support. 

Closing date: Applications will close 12:00 PM UK time on Monday 23 February.

1st interview via Teams on Thursday 26 February PM time and Friday 27 February AM time.  2nd interviews are expected to take place face to face at our Canary Wharf office on Wednesday 4 March PM time.

How to Apply: Click Apply to complete the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and cover letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

UK Benefits:

• 36 days’ holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5 days’ annual leave
• Employer pension contribution up to 10 %
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Season ticket loan
• Free annual eye tests
• ‘Give as you Earn’ charitable giving scheme
• Enhanced parental leave (maternity, adoption/surrogacy, shared parental and paternity)
• Sabbaticals
• One paid volunteer day each year

As part of our annual leave policy, all employees receive three additional days of annual leave on top of their standard allocation of 25 days. These days are designated to cover the period when our UK office closes between Christmas and New Year, allowing all UK Water Aiders to take a well-deserved break.

These days are automatically scheduled and cannot be changed or moved. Annual leave is accrued based on your start date. If sufficient leave has not been accrued by the time of the closure, the 3 days will be taken as unpaid leave or pro-rated, depending on your circumstances.

Our Global Commitment:

Our people promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

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We are looking for a fundraising manager whose core strengths are trusts and foundations fundraising, major donor cultivation, and excellent proposal writing.

The NCTJ is the guardian of the gold standard in journalism training. Through charitable initiatives including the Community Reporting Fund and Journalism Diversity Fund, we widen access to journalism careers, strengthen community reporting, and champion trusted journalism at a time when misinformation and public scepticism make high professional standards more important than ever.

Diversifying and growing charitable income is a strategic priority for NCTJ. Following the development of our fundraising strategy, this role will focus on building and growing income from UK trusts, foundations and high net worth supporters. You will have the autonomy to shape the grants and major donor pipeline.

Corporate partnerships are led primarily by our Head of Business Development. This role focuses on grants, major donors and stewardship.

About the role

You will:

• Research and manage a strong pipeline of trusts and foundation prospects
• Write and submit high-quality, tailored grant applications and expressions of interest
• Develop compelling cases for support, budgets, outcomes and proposal templates
• Build and manage major donor/high net worth pipeline through warm networks
• Lead on donor cultivation and follow-up
• Strengthen stewardship and reporting so funders feel valued and close to the impact
• Use HubSpot CRM to track pipeline, deadlines, reporting and performance

About you

You will have:

• A strong track record in trusts and foundations fundraising
• Experience securing substantial grants (five-figure and above)
• Excellent proposal and case for support writing skills
• Experience working with major donors/high net worth supporters (or strong transferable relationship-led fundraising experience)
• Strong organisation and CRM discipline
• Confidence working with senior leaders

Experience in journalism, media, education, social mobility or EDI is welcome but not essential. It is vital that you support the critical role professional journalists play in our democracy.

Benefits

• Salary c £40,000 (£37,000-£43,000) depending on experience
• Pension: 5% employer and 5% employee contribution
• Annual leave of 25 days plus bank holidays
• Discretionary bonus based on company performance
• Life cover
• Training and career development

How to apply

Please apply with your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 1,000 words total) addressing the following:

1. Trusts and foundations track record (300 words)
   Describe one trust or foundation grant of £30,000+ that you personally led. Include who the funder was, what the project was, how you shaped the proposal to meet their criteria, and the outcome.
2. Proposal writing approach (250 words)
   When starting a new funding application, what are the first five things you do before you begin writing? Please be specific.
3. Working with senior stakeholders and impact information (250 words)
   Give an example of how you worked with colleagues, senior leaders or contacts to gather the information needed for a funding proposal or donor meeting. What did you do and what was the result?
4. Interest in journalism and the NCTJ mission (200 words) What is it about the NCTJ’s work, values and mission that interests you, and why do you think it is important at this point in time for journalism and society?

Your supporting statement is an important part of the assessment for this role. We are looking for evidence of your own proposal-writing style, experience and judgement. Generic or highly templated responses are unlikely to score well.

Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a short writing exercise as part of the interview process.

About the NCTJ

The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) is the charity at the heart of journalism education and training in the UK. We are the guardian of the gold standard in journalism training and qualifications, and we champion equality, diversity and inclusion so that journalism is accessible to people from all backgrounds.

Through charitable initiatives including the Journalism Diversity Fund and the Community Reporting Fund, we widen participation in journalism, support community reporting, and strengthen trusted journalism at a time when misinformation and public scepticism make high professional standards more important than ever.

NCTJ is financially stable and widely respected within the industry. However, diversifying and growing charitable income is a strategic priority for 2026–27. We have developed our first fundraising strategy to support sustainable growth and impact, and this role is central to delivering it.

Purpose of the role

This is a specialist role focused on securing and stewarding funding from trusts and foundations and developing a pipeline of major donors and high net worth supporters, underpinned by exceptional proposal writing and strong relationship management.

Corporate partnerships are led primarily by the head of business development. This role will support corporate fundraising through proposal/case development and stewardship where needed, but the primary focus is securing charitable grants and major donors.

Key responsibilities

1) Trusts and foundations fundraising

• Build and manage a strong pipeline of UK trust and foundation prospects that advance NCTJ’s charitable priorities (including diversity, community reporting, and training for a fast-changing media industry).
• Develop and maintain a grants calendar and tracking system, including deadlines, funder preferences, decision timelines, and reporting requirements.
• Write and submit high-quality, tailored grant applications and expressions of interest, working to agreed targets and timescales.
• Develop a suite of core fundraising materials (case for support, programme proposals, budgets, outcomes and evaluation narrative, boilerplate and templates) to increase quality and consistency across submissions.
• Confidently communicate the NCTJ’s purpose and impact through presentations, reports, and digital content and represent the NCTJ at meetings and events, both virtually and in person.
• Build and maintain strong funder relationships, ensuring excellent stewardship, timely reporting and opportunities for renewal and uplift.

2) Major donor / high net worth giving

• Work with the senior team to identify major donor prospects through networks and sector connections.
• Undertake proportionate prospect research and build a high-quality cultivation pipeline.
• Create tailored donor proposals and impact statements that support donor interests while advancing NCTJ priorities.
• Support cultivation meetings with briefs, materials, follow-up and stewardship plans, tracking all activity in CRM.

3) Impact, storytelling and stewardship

• Work closely with programme and communications colleagues to gather impact data, case studies and beneficiary stories to strengthen proposals and reporting.
• Develop and deliver a clear plan for thanking trusts and major donors, keeping them updated on impact, and staying in regular contact.
• Use NCTJ events and industry milestones as stewardship and cultivation opportunities, coordinating targeted follow-up and relationship management.

4) Systems, reporting and evaluation

• Maintain excellent data quality and discipline in HubSpot CRM, including prospect stage, relationship owner, next actions, submissions, reporting deadlines and contact history.
• Produce clear pipeline and performance reports for the HoBD/chief executive (eg, submissions, conversion rates, forecast, learning and next steps).
• Contribute to quarterly review sessions to evaluate progress and refine approach.

5) Collaborative working

• Build strong working relationships across the charity and its stakeholders to translate NCTJ’s work into fundable propositions and well managed projects ensuring effective delivery of programmes through cross functional collaboration.
• Bring innovative and creative concepts to the team, and develop valuable programmes and initiatives which add to the NCTJ’s new income stream.
• Contribute to shared messaging that reflects NCTJ’s mission: high standards, quality, trusted journalism, accessibility and measurable EDI impact.

Person specification

Essential

• Significant experience in trusts and foundations fundraising, including writing successful applications.
• Proven track record of securing substantial grants (five-figure and above, including multi-year where possible).
• Outstanding proposal and case for support writing skills (clear structure, persuasive narrative, strong budgets/outcomes, and tailoring to criteria).
• Strong pipeline management skills and ability to deliver multiple submissions to deadlines.
• Experience cultivating and stewarding major donors/high net worth individuals (or strong transferable relationship-led fundraising experience).
• Strong CRM capability and reporting discipline.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience strengthening fundraising systems, templates and stewardship processes.
• Experience in education, media/journalism, social mobility, EDI or local/community development.

Personal attributes

• A high-quality writer who takes pride in precision, tone and evidence.
• Proactive, organised and accountable.
• Warm, credible and professional with funders and senior stakeholders.
• Motivated by widening access, high standards, and trusted journalism.

Working closely with the Fundraising Manager and Head of Philanthropy, you will support a range of fundraising activities, most predominantly researching new avenues for funding within trusts, foundations and corporate partners, completing grant applications, carrying out communications and reporting to existing funders and raising the profile of the charity through representing Action Tutoring at funder or networking events. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience in the world of fundraising activities, working with a passionate, committed and driven team.

Closing date: Sunday, 15th February 2026
Interviews: Wednesday, 25th and Thursday 26th February 2026
Start date: Tuesday 7th April 2026
Contract and hours: Full time permanent contract. We offer flexible hours with 9.30-4 as core hours. A full working week is 37.5 hours.
Location: This role is remote. The candidate can be based anywhere in the England. Our London office address is: x+why, 8-10, Fivefields, Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH. Occasional travel may be required for this role.

Duties and responsibilities

• Research new opportunities for Action Tutoring to explore for fundraising and carry out initial enquiries to determine suitability to apply to trusts and foundations. 
• Prepare and submit grant applications to suitable trusts, foundations and corporates, carrying out careful research to ensure the applications are as strong as possible and include relevant data and case studies.
• Work alongside the Corporate Partnerships Team to encourage corporate support through donations or grants.
• Identify and lead on local fundraising opportunities in Action Tutoring’s nine key regions, for example researching and submitting applications for local grants and to local businesses.
• Research and determine suitability of profile raising opportunities or awards for Action Tutoring to apply to, such as corporate Charity of the Year opportunities, the Third Sector Awards and Charity Awards.

A full list of duties and responsibilities can be found in the job description attached to the BreatheHR advert.

Person specification 
 

Qualifications criteria: 

• Previous experience in fundraising, or transferable experience that shows strong writing skills.
• Right to work in the UK.

We are looking for some of the following attributes, though you might be more experienced in some areas than others: 

• Outstanding communicator; strong written and verbal communication skills; able to make an exciting and compelling case for support.
• Creative and ambitious.
• Proactive and tenacious personality; willing to seek out and pursue opportunities.
• Highly organised; able to prioritise, multi-task and manage work to deadlines.
• High computer literacy.
• Adaptable and open to learning and feedback.
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children.

You will likely be more successful in this role if you have: 

• Prior experience of fundraising work, particularly if it is within trusts and foundations. This could be in a paid role, or on a voluntary basis or as part of work experience.
• Experience of building relationships with stakeholders.

How to apply:
To apply for this position you will need to complete and attach an application form to your application. To do this, please download the attached application form, complete the sections in full and save the new file, and then click the 'apply' button.

You will be able to upload the completed application form on the next page.

Applications without an attached application form will automatically be discounted. We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help you with making the application process work for you.​