Charitable trusts fundraising officer jobs

Are you a brilliant communicator who loves writing copy and supporting donors? Join a passionate team working to end education inequality through the power of Classics.

We're looking for a Fundraising and Communications Officer to create and distribute newsletters and emails and be the first port of call for new and existing donors. You will enjoy collating case studies and reports, learning about our impact in schools and ensuring that donors and funders have a positive and meaningful relationship with Classics for All. You’ll play a vital role in enabling our programmes to reach schools and students across the UK. This is a varied and rewarding role at the heart of a small, friendly team making a big impact.

Diversity and inclusion

As a social mobility charity, being inclusive is a fundamental value of Classics for All. We welcome applications from all eligible people and are particularly keen to receive applications from those who are from communities that are less represented within the Classics community, such as those from minoritised ethnic backgrounds and those with disabilities.

It does not matter if Classics was offered at your own school, and you do not need to be a Classicist to join our team – there are no Latin tests!

1. JOB TITLE: Grant Officer (Sustainable Future)

 

 Contract: 2 year fixed-term, 35 hours per week
 

Location: York/ hybrid (in office attendance once or twice a week)
 

Salary range: £46,036
 

2. MAIN PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE JOB

To support the management, administration and development of the Sustainable Future grant programme and occasional related initiatives. 
 

Assess and critically appraise project ideas, using sound judgement to provide clear, constructive guidance to prospective applicants.
 

3. POSITION IN ORGANISATION

Reports to: Sustainable Future Programme Manager 
Responsible for:  n/a
 

4. DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
 

4.1       GRANT PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

To work within organisational strategies and policies, and in accordance with the priorities and guidance as specified by the Programme Manager:
 

• Contribute to the delivery of all aspects of the grant cycle, including responding to applicant inquiries, assessment of applications, presenting and discussing applications with the grant committee and communicating decisions to applicants. On occasion, there may a requirement to contribute to this work for other JRCT grant programmes.

• Assist with monitoring grantees’ work and expenditure of JRCT funds.

• Contribute to the design and delivery of networking, convening or learning initiatives for grantees. 

• Manage and co-ordinate the administration of external events and consultations.  

• Assist the Programme Manager with the administration of proactive projects.

• Keep abreast of external developments through reading, attending conferences and similar events, and liaising with other funders.

• Contribute to the development of grant policy and grant programme reviews.

4.2 GRANT PROGRAMME ADMINISTRATION
 

• With direction from the Programme Manager, co-ordinate and contribute to the preparation and circulation of committee papers for the grant cycle, including writing assessment memos, meeting notes, agenda papers and minutes.  On occasion, there may a requirement to contribute to this work for other JRCT grant programmes.

• Use the grants administration database to process and monitor grant applications and provide reports and statistics.  Maintain accurate database records to enable the appropriate payment and ongoing monitoring of grants. 

• Ensure that effective information storage and retrieval systems (paper and electronic) are developed, maintained and managed for the programme area and maintain records of committee membership and subscriptions.

• Arrange and co-ordinate committee meetings and meetings with applicants/grantees on behalf of the Programme Manager, including related travel, accommodation and room bookings, liaising with trustees and co-optees.

• Liaise with other staff and external colleagues on behalf of the Programme Manager and assist in implementing good communication systems for the staff team and wider organisation. 

5. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
 

• Consistently perform the role effectively and in line with the values and mission of JRCT.

• Proactively keep up to date with developments affecting your work and maintaining and improving personal competence through continuous professional development.

• Take direction on projects and priorities from your line manager and trustees, which may vary from time to time.

• Develop, foster and maintain effective relationships with relevant external stakeholders and organisations.

• Work to administration and communication protocols efficiently to ensure that organisational systems and procedures are implemented.

• Abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice.

• Prepare for and participate in supervision and appraisal meetings.

• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

• Contribute constructively to team meetings and organisational priorities.

• Demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

• Carry out other duties as may arise, develop or be assigned commensurate with the role.

Office overview

Our University has a proud history of philanthropy stretching back to its foundation in 1900. With a clear vision to change the lives of the people of Birmingham, Joseph Chamberlain raised the funds required to build the University from citizens and corporations based locally and around the globe. Since then philanthropy has continued to play an important role in shaping the University. There have been a number of fundraising campaigns, including a £1m urgent capital appeal after the Second World War and a £1.4m campaign to fund the Vale ‘student village’ in the 1960s. In 2015 we closed the Circles of Influence Campaign, raising £193 million, making it the largest HE fundraising campaign outside Oxbridge and London. 

The University has global reach, including several partnerships with other leading universities around the world, and is grounded in its local community, having opened the first fully comprehensive University secondary school in the country in 2015. We are an ambitious and successful research-intensive University (one of the top 100 research-led universities globally) and have produced 10 Nobel Prize winners, including three who received their awards in 2016. Academics here are exploring the impact of climate change, helping to address global health epidemics, seeking ways to diagnose cancers earlier and create more effective personalised treatments, and changing our understanding of Shakespeare. Our students come from nearly 150 countries and our flagship outreach programmes mean that almost 25% of our student population come from disadvantaged backgrounds: one of the highest proportions in the UK.

DARO (The Development and Alumni Relations Office) exists to support this academic and student community by engaging, inspiring, and celebrating alumni, individuals, and charitable funders who give their money, time, and networks to support the University’s strategic priorities. The Office, which is comprised of five teams, is focused on fundraising and volunteering from alumni, organisations and individuals who are passionate about changing lives, through funding various research trials, supporting student bursaries, mentoring students, and providing internships. We are currently at the heart of delivering the Birmingham in Action campaign with goals to raise £600m and generate 1,250,000 volunteer hours.

As an office, we are committed to sustainability and value green working practices. The environment is an integral part of our campaign and we encourage eco-friendly ways of working in order to have a positive impact on our campus and global surroundings. 

Role Summary

We are looking for a Prospect Development Officer to join our highly successful prospect development team, working in partnership with our fundraising team to manage their prospect pools and portfolios. You will provide insight and advice on donors, trusts, foundations, corporations, and other organizations, collating and reviewing data and writing concise and informative reports for the fundraising team and senior stakeholders within the University. You will proactively identify new prospects, ensuring that biographical information is accurate and up to date. Other responsibilities include leading on the improvement and expansion of research processes, supporting with bespoke research requests, supporting the Head of Prospect Development with specialist research projects, and providing support to the philanthropic due diligence process.

 We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. 

If this sounds like you, then our four-month (7th September to 18th December 2026), salaried Grant Fundraising Traineeship might be the perfect opportunity for you.

Chell Perkins is looking for four individuals with excellent writing skills who want to learn how to fundraise from grantmakers. 

Our industry-leading paid traineeship (monthly equivalent of a £24,792 annual salary) will see you writing grant applications for multiple charities and gaining a recognised certificate with education credits towards CFRE to kickstart your fundraising career. There are up to four vacancies at Chell Perkins, and at the end of the course trainees will be eligible to apply for a permanent position.

“This programme has been an amazing opportunity to work with so many different clients, and constantly learn new skills on the job. I have learned so much.” Junior Fundraiser, 2022

This immersive programme is home-based with quality training and plenty of support from other experienced fundraisers.

“The hands-on training opportunities that come with a role at Chell Perkins are invaluable for anyone who is looking to get into fundraising. I don't think you could find a more immersive and rewarding experience in the charity sector anywhere else!” Junior Fundraiser, 2022

Why Chell Perkins?

At the end of our Grant Fundraising Traineeship, you will be a confident and capable fundraiser. But there’s much more to the scheme than that. The Chell Perkins team are a great bunch of people to work with. We really care about our partner charities and YOUR future. Our supportive and empowering work culture will enable you to realise your own potential.

“This programme is truly unique and rewarding. I recommend it to anyone thinking of beginning a fundraising career.” Junior Fundraiser, 2020

Client mix

Candidates should be aware that at present, 70% of our partner charities come from a Christian background (churches or Christian charities). While it is not a requirement to be Christian, candidates must be happy to write for a faith-based audience.

Applications

This role is home-based; however, you may occasionally be required to work from client sites across the UK.

For more details about this opportunity, contact us and request a copy of the Job Description & Person Specification document.

Interviews will be held in the week commencing 4th May 2026 for positions starting on 7th September 2026.

If our Grant Fundraising Traineeship sounds like it could be a perfect fit for you, why not apply? We look forward to hearing from you!

To apply for this role, please complete our job application and email it to us with a recent CV and a covering letter. In your covering letter, we are looking for:

• Evidence of strong written communication skills
• Passion for the third sector, and in particular fundraising
• Ability to write persuasively
• Evidence that you have carefully researched the role and our organisation.

Click 'how to apply' below for the email address to send your application to, and for more information on the role and person specification.

A note about generative AI use

As an agency we are not against the use of AI to research or help improve the quality of your application. However, we strongly advise against using AI to generate copy for you. Last year, over 40 applications contained sections with identical wording, due to the use of generative AI. As a result, we could not get to know the applicants from their writing, and subsequently had to reject all of these applications.

The Stuart Low Trust (SLT) is a well-respected and award-winning charity based in Islington supporting people who experience mental health issues and socially isolated.SLT was created to be radically different from other mental health charities – uniquely accessible, inclusive and community-embedded. You will be joining a small friendly team, where we care about staff wellbeing.We believe in trusting the expertise of our staff and giving them the freedom to thrive with regular help on hand when needed. 

We support over 500 adults per year through social groups -creative arts, nature-based activities, wellbeing workshops and peer support.90% of participants report improved mental health and wellbeing. 

Why Join Us?  
This is an opportunity to play an important role in a small but impactful charity.  Your work will directly enable adults experiencing isolation to access safe, creative and life-affirming activities. Perfect for someone who thrives in a small charity where you can see the impact of your work every week. 

Who we are seeking 
We are seeking a Fundraising Manager, who enjoys writing grant applications and building strong relationships with supporters. Working closely with the Chief Executive, you will have a primary focus working on our trusts and foundations pipeline, while generating around 10% of total income from other sources. We are realistic what is possible in 21 hours per week! 

We are seeking a fundraiser who combines: 

• A strong track record securing trust and foundation income 
• Excellent bid-writing skills 
• Experience generating income beyond trusts (corporate, community or individual) 
• Comfortable working autonomously in a small team 
• Experience in a mental health organisation or small charity is desirable but not essential.

Summary role description 

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will: 

Lead Trusts and Foundations Income 

• Develop a pipeline of grant funders to apply to. 
• Write compelling, high-quality applications.. 
• Deepen funder relationships to secure repeat grants. 

Raise income from other sources 

Work with the Chief Executive to generate income from other sources with a realistic and achievable target of 10% total income via:

• Corporate partnerships in Islington, King’s Cross tech, creative industries and the City. 
• Community and individual giving, especially among affluent local residents. 

Build sustainable systems to support fundraising 

• ​Strengthen stewardship journeys including donor tracking systems and explore use of AI tools. 
• Contribute to fundraising communications and our profile-building. 

Why this Role is Different 
You will be stepping into an organisation in a strong position to build on: 

• Multi-year funding security (63% of next year’s income already secured through multi-year grants, 4 months’ free reserves, annual income circa £250k). 
• Trusted funders include City Bridge Foundation, Garfield Weston, Sport England and leading City Livery Companies. 
• Strategic Plan 2024–28 with clear goals. 
• Excellent impact measurement systems. 
• A highly experienced Chief Executive with 30 years in the charity sector. 
• A collaborative and supportive team, who understand fundraising is everyone’s responsibility. 

What You’ll Gain 

• Real autonomy and ownership 
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Occupational pension scheme 
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Access to training and development opportunities 
• Supportive management culture 
• A genuinely collaborative, values-led culture 

Location
Based at Jean Stokes Community Centre, Islington (5 minutes by bus from King’s Cross) 

Application instructions
Please note, while we appreciate the value of AI tools, we strongly prefer that applicants prepare their supporting statements for this purpose with minimal use of AI.This helps us to better understand your authentic voice, skills and motivation for this role.Thank you. 

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and two satisfactory references. 

We are embrace diversity, equality of opportunity and inclusion. We are committed to building a team that represents are variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.The more inclusive we are, the more we can achieve. 

Deadline for applications: Sunday, 5th April 2026 at 12midnight
Interviews: Monday, 20th April 2026 
Estimated Start:June/July 2026 

We’re looking for a part-time Trusts Fundraising Officer to contribute their skills, experience, and personality to add value to our Trusts team within the Fundraising department at Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.

This home-based role is now available due to the current post holder moving on to new pastures. The Trust team has had incredible success in recent years, which we are eager to sustain and grow. The successful candidate will provide support to the Trusts Fundraising Manager and work alongside a fellow part-time Trusts Fundraising Officer within this ambitious team.

The role is a varied one, focusing on all aspects of the funding cycle – from identifying opportunities and building relationships, to writing compelling applications and providing high level stewardship. The team works collaboratively across the Association to ensure Blesma’s programmes and services can continue to help limbless veterans and their families.

Blesma is unique as a membership Association as well as a charity. Our Members are the heart of all our work – therefore, the impact of our fundraising is clearly visible in the experiences of our inspirational limbless veterans.

If you’re interested, please read the attached Job Description and apply with your C.V. and a Covering Letter detailing why you’d be an ideal candidate for the role and how your experience and skills match those detailed in the Person Specification.

If you are uncertain about your suitability, apply anyway and let us decide! 

We may close the application down early if we receive a high volume of applications. 

Are you an experienced fundraiser, skilled in crafting persuasive appeals and telling moving stories of impact and change? We have a fabulous opportunity for you to use your creative and organisational skills to make a difference to families in South London and East Surrey.

Our programmes include individual family support, domestic abuse recovery and a range of parenting and group work programmes to enable families to thrive.

The core of your role will be in generating funds from trusts, foundations and grant making trusts.

• Identify and research prospective funders aligned with Welcare’s priorities.
• Develop tailored, high-quality grant applications, expressions of interest, and monitoring reports.
• Manage a rolling pipeline of small, medium, and large grant opportunities.
• Lead on multi-year and restricted funding applications where appropriate.
• Ensure accurate tracking of deadlines and submissions using eTapestry (Blackbaud’s CRM/Supporter Management System)
• Work closely with CEO, Head of Practice and Business Manager to gather data, case studies, and outcomes.

• Translate impact data into compelling narratives aligned with funder priorities.
• Support development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to strengthen future bids.

Salary:  £41,771 FTE (pro-rata £25,062)

Fully remote working

Generous Annual Leave allowance

Longlisted candidates will be required to complete a full application form prior to interview.

Application closing date: 6 April 2026

Interview date: rolling interview

Big C is proud to support people affected by cancer across Norfolk — and the generosity of our supporters makes that possible.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and driven Community Fundraiser to join our Fundraising, Marketing and Communications Team. This is a hands-on, varied and relationship-led role where you’ll build meaningful connections, deliver engaging fundraising initiatives.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with fundraising experience who wants to contribute directly to the charity’s income and see the real impact of their work within the community.

About the role

Reporting to the Events and Engagement Manager, you’ll coordinate and deliver a range of community fundraising initiatives that contribute directly to Big C’s income targets.

A key focus of this role is responsibility for developing and growing our Regular Giving and Legacies income streams. You’ll nurture supporter relationships, promoting long-term giving and legacy pledge opportunities to help ensure these vital areas of income continue to grow.

Alongside this, engage with local groups and organisations helping to deliver activities that inspire individuals and communities to get involved. You’ll act as a visible ambassador for Big C, representing the charity at events and cheque presentations. This is a proactive role that combines relationship-building, income generation and coordination — ideal for someone who enjoys being out in the community while keeping everything organised behind the scenes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and deliver community fundraising initiatives that directly contribute to agreed income targets
• Take ownership of Big C’s Regular Giving and Legacies fundraising activity, driving engagement and income growth
• Build and maintain strong relationships with supporters, local organisations and community groups
• Identify new fundraising opportunities and support the development of agreed campaigns and activities
• Provide tailored support to third-party fundraisers to help maximise their fundraising potential

If viewing this vacancy from our website, you can download the full job description here: Community Fundraiser.

An accessible version of the job description for visually impaired applicants is available here: Community Fundraiser - accessible version.

About Big C

Big C is one of East Anglia’s largest cancer charities, having raised £50 million in 45 years. Each year, our supporters help us raise around £3 million to support people affected by cancer in our community.

We provide holistic care through Cancer Support Centres and Hubs, as well as online and telephone support via our Virtual Support Centre. Income comes from donations, local businesses, grants, legacies, and 11 charity shops across the region.

Committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, Big C was recently awarded Gold Accreditation in the Best Employers Eastern Region 2025 and offers a supportive environment that values wellbeing and work/life balance.

Why Big C?

We’re proud to be a Best Employer (Gold, Eastern Region 2025) and offer a supportive, inclusive working environment that values wellbeing, development, and work-life balance.

Our benefits include:

• 33 days holiday (FTE, including bank holidays)
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Company sick pay and life assurance
• Health Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Opportunities for professional development

If you share these values and want to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply Now

Big C are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, young adults and children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

When applying, please complete the online application fully. Information to support your application can be in your attached covering letter or where indicated in the application. 

If you have questions about this role, would prefer to apply another way, or require information in an accessible format, please get in touch.

Please note that this vacancy may close earlier once sufficient applications received. Interviews will take place as soon as possible.

Age UK Hammersmith and Fulham works to improve the quality of life and enhance the status and influence of older people. From now on, we intend to diversify our income, particularly from unrestricted sources, to sustain and develop our work. The role works closely with the CEO to develop the fundraising strategy and reporting to the Fundraising Subcommittee.

An experienced and talented Fundraising Manager who can develop and execute an effective fundraising strategy to deliver growth across a wide range of existing and new income streams.

You will have the proven ability to research and develop winning fundraising applications, negotiate sponsorship deals and develop and maintain positive relationships with donors. A natural multi-tasker, you will have the flexibility to manage a varied workload, juggling responsibility for meeting bid deadlines, ensuring delivery of fundraising events, reporting to funders and managing key corporate accounts. With attention to detail and excellent written and verbal presentation, you will also have the negotiation and project management skills to co-ordinate the production of complex bids and budgets.

Fundraising Leadership Structure
Overall leadership, accountability, and ownership of fundraising strategy and outcomes sit with the Chief Executive. The Fundraising Manager provides strategic, operational, and relationship‑driven support within this CEO‑led framework, ensuring delivery of high‑quality fundraising activity, insight, and stewardship.

If you seek a fresh and rewarding challenge, look no further than Open Country! Seeking to help disabled people to access and enjoy the countryside, we embrace a wide range of fundraising methods, so this role could be adapted to suit either full-time or part-time work. We are also able to cater for your particular skill set, though core duties would likely include: 

• Researching and writing grant applications to charitable trusts, grant-making bodies and other funders.
• Developing and delivering new and imaginative community fundraising activities.
• Encouraging appropriate corporate sponsorship and fundraising.
• Developing and delivering Open Country fundraising events and third-party events.

This is a hands-on, dynamic role requiring creativity, insight and panache, coupled with great communication and relationship-building skills.

You will work collaboratively with our Finance and Fundraising Manager at our Head Office in Harrogate, though an element of home working can be considered.

Appointment to this post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check. 

You will be part of a small energetic and committed team supporting the delivery of Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s philanthropy and income generation ambitions. Working collaboratively with colleagues, you will help grow and steward support from individuals, corporate, charitable and statutory donors, with a lead responsibility for a defined portfolio of relationships and initiatives.

Fundraising and relationship building happen across the charity, and you will manage your own portfolio of donors and partners and work with the Chief Executive and wider team to co-ordinate activity, share insight and maximise opportunities for place based philanthropy in Northamptonshire.

You will need confidence, excellent communication skills and the ability to plan and deliver projects as part of a highly collaborative team. You will be comfortable cultivating, stewarding and sometimes soliciting charitable donations yourself, as well as creating opportunities for the Chief Executive to engage with donors and prospective supporters.

About You. 

You will be a self-motivated and proactive senior trust fundraiser, excited about this new role and achieving our ambitious fundraising goals – approaching it with good humour, resilience and resourcefulness, and confident in your skills and abilities. 

Professional, reliable and highly organised, you will enjoy working collaboratively, able to inspire and support colleagues, and have a strong team ethos.Outgoing and engaging, you will be able to convey a passion for nature and wildlife to different audiences and feel confident when sharing our vision and impact with others. You will be able to nurture and develop relationships with key stakeholders, including those we do not already have a relationship with.

You will have a strong knowledge of Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent and be able to work/travel throughout the county.

We welcome applications from senior trust fundraisers, bid writers from the commercial sector and senior fundraisers from major donors or corporate partnerships who can demonstrate transferable skills and knowledge, and success at the income levels required. 

About the Role.  

We are investing in our Fundraising and Development team to deliver an ambitious 5-year fundraising strategy. The Trusts and Philanthropy Manager is pivotal in securing philanthropic support from trusts and foundations, legacies, major donors, and corporate partners.

 
Over the strategy period you will be responsible for developing annual trust and grant income to £500,000+, by securing grants of five figures and above and gaining multi-year donations.Using your experience in creating strong cases for support, including unrestricted costs, and pipeline development, you will work with two part-time colleagues to increase annual income from major donors, legacies and corporate partners to £250,000+ (excluding exceptional legacy gifts). 

With curiosity, you will identify funding opportunities and reach new audiences. You will thrive on building strong, long-lasting relationships, cultivating donors through verbal and written communications, and managing stewardship events.

As a senior manager, you will have budget responsibility, report regularly, and mitigate under performance.You will ensure joined-up planning and delivery, developing fundraising relationships across income streams, and you will enjoy line management, collaborating with others, and leading project groups to deliver targets on deadlines. 

A typical week is expected to include at least 2 days from our Wolseley Head Office, 1-2days in Staffordshire to secure new support and meet donors, the remaining time worked remotely, with flexibility as required. 

About Us. 

“Staffordshire Wildlife Trust protects and enhances the wildlife and wild places of Staffordshire and promotes understanding, enjoyment and involvement in the natural world.” 

A registered charity established in 1969, we are one of 46 county Wildlife Trusts throughout the UK and are supported by over 18,000 members. 

The Trust owns or manages 45 nature reserves covering an area of over 1900 hectares. We have around 140 staff, based in six locations around the county including our Headquarters at Wolseley Bridge, Stafford, with our work divided into four departments: Conservation Delivery & Engagement, Fundraising and Development, HR & Support Services, and Resources. The Trust has a diverse workforce including site wardens, wildlife surveyors, community and education officers, catering, retail and administration. 

In addition, we have a trading company which looks after the trading side of our business. This includes a café at The Wolseley Centre, charity shops in Leek, Penkridge and Codsall, and a retail shop in the Wolseley Centre. 

We’re Wild About Inclusion! To us, this means inspiring, empowering and engaging people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities, to change the natural world for the better. It means creating workspaces where difference is celebrated, everyone can be themselves and flourish, just like nature. 

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is committed to keeping children and young people safe, you can see our policy on our website.Safeguarding and protecting our visitors, customers, members, staff and volunteers is the responsibility of every trustee, employee, and volunteer at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. For applicable roles, applicants must be willing to undergo checks with past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks at the eligible level. 

Disability Confident Employer. As a Disability Confident accredited employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for vacancies. We particularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented within our sector, including people from minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. 

At SWT, we are committed to creating a safe environment where discrimination, bullying, and harassment are not tolerated. We expect everyone to uphold, respect, and support our zero-tolerance policy.

Please be aware we may not accept applications if we have reason to believe they have been wholly produced using generative AI tools 

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is a registered charity.Charity No: 259558.

Closing Date:  9am on Monday 30th March 2026 

Interviews: 1st stage - MS Teams call during the recruitment period 
2nd stage -Wed 8 April or Fri 10 April 2026

SMART CJS – Trust and Foundations Bid Writer

Role Overview

Are you committed to supporting people who are homeless or rough sleeping?

Are you proactive with a positive attitude?

Job Title: Trust and Foundations Bid Writer (with some responsibility for corporate fundraising)

The salary will be in the range of £36,000 to £42,000.

Hours: 37 hours per week

Term: Permanent

Location: Working from our office in central Bedford, with some provision for remote working.

About SMART CJS

Founded in 1997, we are a charity that provides safe spaces for people who are facing or experiencing homelessness, are rough sleeping or have fallen on tough times. As times have changed, our services have adapted and grown, but we’ve always kept the people we support at the centre of all that we do. We believe that everyone needs a little help sometimes and, with trust, respect and honesty, people can make incredible changes. Our vision is to transform communities so that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential, participate in and contribute to all aspects of life. Our mission is to provide safe spaces to work with vulnerable people within our communities, empowering them to make positive changes and take control of their lives.

Why Join Us?

We believe in diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

Benefits include:

• 27 days Annual Leave (rising to 30 after 3 years) + Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Generous Pension scheme (after successfully completing a probation period)
• Excellent Development and Growth Opportunities
• Access to a Charity Worker Discount scheme
• Access to the company health and wellbeing service including support with mental health, legal advice and more
• Access to an online GP service

We require all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This job description will be supplemented by annual objectives which will be developed in conjunction with the post holder.

The Role

SMART CJS is looking to recruit a Trusts and Foundations Bid Writer. The successful candidate will also have some responsibility for corporate fundraising with businesses based in Bedford and beyond; this responsibility will be shared with our Community and Corporate Fundraiser.

The main responsibility, though, will be to generate income by writing bids to charitable trusts and foundations, and to statutory funders.

The role will include researching and identifying charity trusts and similar bodies which are able to make an award to SMART. It will also include keeping abreast of developments in fundraising in the charity sector as a whole, especially in the field of grant awarding and, to a lesser extent, of corporate giving.

There will be a probationary period for the role. As it generally takes six months for a grant to be awarded (though some arrive more quickly), the probationary period will need to be for a minimum of seven months, though its precise duration can be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Training will be given; the scope of the training will depend on the candidate’s previous experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to join SMART’s friendly and dedicated team. You’ll need to be able to manage your time effectively; the role is primarily self-directed. We envisage that you’ll be working primarily from our offices in Prebend Street, Bedford, though you'll be able to work from home for some of the time as well. Given the nature of our work, personal resilience is important; some of the stories we use when applying for funding can be emotionally challenging.

Our fundraising comes from regular gifts, donations from the community (individuals and groups), and corporate bodies (businesses). The majority of our fundraising income comes from grants. There will be a realistic target for the amount you need to raise; this will reflect the performance for grant applications in the charity sector as a whole and it will not be unrealistic. Fundraising is not an exact science; the assessment of performance against the targets will be fair and reasonable. The final responsibility for SMART’s fundraising rests with the trustees; they appreciate and understand the complexity of the issues involved.

Main Purpose of the Role

You will work closely with the CEO, the Chair of Trustees, the Head of Business and the fundraising team. The post involves gathering information, writing the bids, tracking the progress of submissions, and reporting back to grant awarders on how their money has been spent, if they require this.

There will also be a responsibility for corporate fundraising. This will involve building relationships with businesses in and beyond the Bedford area. The responsibility for this will be shared with our Community and Corporate Fundraiser.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising and Bid Writing

• Research and identify suitable grant and funding opportunities from charitable trusts, foundations, and statutory bodies.
• Write and submit high-quality funding applications and proposals in line with SMART’s strategic priorities.
• Work collaboratively with service leads and front line teams to gather accurate, up-to-date data and service information for applications.
• Tailor the applications to the funder’s criteria, using storytelling effectively.
• Manage a pipeline of applications and submissions, ensuring deadlines are met and income targets are tracked.
• Maintain and build relationships with key funders, providing timely reports and updates on grant-funded work.
• Work to realistic targets and be able to provide feedback on these.
• Organisational Development and Support
• Contribute to the strategic development of SMART’s income generation plans.
• Support development of strong internal bid and grant management systems.
• Monitor success rates and provide monthly reporting on funding performance to the Head of Business and to the Chair of Trustees.
• Represent SMART CJS at funding briefings, webinars, and networking opportunities where appropriate.

Other Responsibilities

• Participate in SMART’s performance management and appraisal process.
• Attend the monthly meetings of the Fundraising Committee (a sub‑committee of the Board of Trustees).
• Comply with health and safety policies and procedures.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role, as required by the CEO, the Head of Business or the Chair of Trustees.

Person Specification

Whether you’re already an experienced bid-writer, or whether you think this is something that you could learn to do effectively, we’d like to hear from you. You need to have excellent skills in written English and be able to write in prose that’s clear and readily understandable to the general reader. The criteria for each grant awarder are different; you need to be able to match your bid to what they would like to fund (homelessness, mental health, relief of poverty, women’s issues and so on). You need, then, to tell SMART’s story in a way which appeals to each funder.

You need to have excellent inter-personal skills and be able to work as part of a team. While there is a strong element of self-direction in the role, you need to be able to work closely with senior management and also with the trustees; the trustees have the final responsibility for fundraising in the charity.

You will need, too, to have a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to have a genuine interest in homelessness and the work of the charity, and a commitment to improving our clients’ lives and wellbeing.

The funding environment has shifted fast. Alexandra Rose needs to be sharper, more strategic and more commercially literate than the traditional charity model allows. This role exists to make that happen.

We are looking for a senior funding leader who is comfortable operating as a “department of one” within a small but ambitious organisation. Trusts and Foundations prospecting and bid writing will form a core part of the role, working closely with the CEO and senior team. Beyond that, you will build and steward high-value funder relationships, develop and secure corporate partnerships aligned with our values, test new income models, and help us adapt confidently to a fast-changing landscape.

This is a senior leadership position. You will work closely with the CEO and Head of Finance to shape organisational direction and build a resilient, full-cost-recovery funding model that protects quality, depth and long-term impact.

This is a remote role, with a requirement to regularly attend meetings and events (mainly London but on occasions project areas elsewhere in the UK).

Key Responsibilities

 Strategic leadership

• Deliver the current funding strategy, which includes Trusts & Foundations grant funding, corporate donations, and testing new potential ways to generate income.
• Monitor sector trends, opportunities and risks, and reposition the charity as needed.
• Work closely with the CEO and Head of Finance to align income planning with organisational priorities and financial forecasting.
• Build simple, effective systems for pipeline development, forecasting and reporting.

 Trusts & Foundations

• Lead the trusts and foundations portfolio, working closely with the CEO to secure multi-year, core and expansion funding, including directly leading on the writing of funding bids. This will be a core part of the role.
• Develop compelling, well-evidenced funding proposals rooted in our mission and impact.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with funders.

 Corporate Donations & Partnerships

• Manage and grow existing corporate relationships, ensuring partnerships remain values-aligned, purposeful and mutually beneficial.
• Identify and develop new appropriate corporate donors and partners, informed by research into corporate giving, ESG and CSR trends.
• Shape and evolve a clear, credible and cost-effective corporate engagement offer that supports long-term organisational sustainability.

 New income streams

• Scope, test and (if viable) deliver new earned-income models, such as corporate engagement models.
• Develop proof-of-concept approaches and evaluate their feasibility.
• Support the organisation to diversify and strengthen its income base.

 Collaboration & leadership culture

• Serve as a key member of the Senior Management Team, contributing to organisation-wide strategy and decision-making.
• Build a transparent, mature, collaborative culture around income generation.
• Ensure the wider team understands funding opportunities, constraints and strategic choices.

Why join us?

• This is a chance to have real impact in an organisation that works practically and strategically to remove the barriers of affordability and accessibility to good food, with a focus on fruit and veg.

• A senior leadership role with real influence over the charity’s direction and sustainability.
• The chance to build and shape a future-facing income strategy in a charity committed to genuine systemic change.
• Remote working and genuine flexibility.
• Work that directly contributes to a fairer, healthier and more dignified food system.