Consultant jobs in Leeds

Title: Trusts and Foundations Fundraising Manager

Duty Station: Home-based
 
Duration: 3 months with possible extension

Reporting to: Director of Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships

Start Date: September 2026

About HelpAge

HelpAge International works with a diverse global network of around 200 organisations across 99 countries to promote the rights of older people to lead dignified, healthy and secure lives. 

Through partnership and collaborations, we work to ensure the inclusion of older people across society and strive to deliver a just and fair world for everyone as they get older. Our work is driven by our desire to achieve real impact for older people, to be inclusive, to work in partnership and to learn from our shared experience. 

Background

HelpAge International is seeking to diversify and grow philanthropic income from trusts and foundations from the US philanthropic markets.

An initial prospect mapping exercise is currently being undertaken by an external consultant, identifying a broad range of potential trusts, foundations, and philanthropic opportunities. HelpAge aims to build on this work through a short-term assignment that combines prospect qualification with active donor outreach and engagement to assess the level of market interest and develop a robust pipeline for future cultivation.

The assignment will also support the organisation in assessing the value of different funding intelligence platforms through the use of free trial subscriptions.

Purpose of the assignment

• Build on the initial prospect research undertaken.
• Qualify and prioritise prospective trusts and foundations.
• Actively engage with prospective donors to test interest and build relationships.
• Identify funding opportunities aligned with HelpAge International's priorities.
• Develop a realistic cultivation pipeline and recommended engagement strategy.
• Assess the value of fundraising databases to support future investment decisions.

Scope of work

Prospect qualification and research

• Review and refine the existing prospect list.
• Undertake further research to assess:
  • strategic fit
  • thematic priorities
  • geographic focus
  • average grant size
  • openness to unsolicited approaches
  • existing grantees and partnership opportunities.

Prospects should be categorised according to priority and likelihood of success.

Active donor outreach and engagement

Proactively engage with selected prospects to assess donor interest and identify potential opportunities.

This includes:

• drafting and sending introductory emails
• seeking warm introductions through existing contacts and networks
• arranging exploratory meetings
• preparing briefing notes and meeting materials
• following up with prospects following meetings or discussions
• identifying opportunities for further cultivation and relationship development

Records will be maintained of:

• contacts established
• meetings held
• donor feedback
• potential next steps
• indications of interest

Pipeline development

Develop and maintain a prospect pipeline comprising:

· Tier 1 – High Priority Prospects

o Strong strategic alignment and realistic funding potential.

· Tier 2 – Medium Priority Prospects

o Promising opportunities requiring further cultivation.

· Tier 3 – Long-Term Prospects

o Strategic opportunities requiring longer-term relationship building.

For each prospect, provide:

• rationale for prioritisation
• indicative grant size
• likely programme interests
• recommended engagement strategy
• suggested next steps

Opportunity identification

Identify and circulate relevant funding opportunities including:

• trusts and foundations
• challenge funds
• philanthropic collaboratives
• donor-advised funds and intermediary mechanisms
• companies

Funding database assessment

Undertake monthly free trials of fundraising databases and assess their suitability for HelpAge International.

• Instrumentl
• Fundraisio
• Cause IQ
• FundsforNGOs Premium

For each platform assess:

• quality of information
• international coverage
• coverage of US foundations
• ease of use
• value for money
• overall suitability for HelpAge's fundraising strategy

Deliverables

By the end of the assignment:

· Prioritised prospect pipeline

Including:

• high-priority prospects
• medium-priority prospects
• longer-term opportunities

Including recommended engagement strategies and indicative funding potential.

· Donor engagement tracker

Recording:

• outreach undertaken
• meetings secured
• contacts established
• feedback received
• recommended next steps

· Opportunity tracker

Including:

• open calls
• deadlines
• funding priorities
• recommended actions

· Database assessment paper

Comparing the fundraising databases and recommending whether HelpAge should invest in any of them.

· Final Report

Providing:

· key findings

· priority prospects

· donor intelligence and feedback

· recommended cultivation approaches

· suggested next steps for the fundraising team

· recommendations for future investment in trusts and foundations fundraising

Profile and requirements

Essential

• Proven experience securing funding from trusts and foundations
• Experience of cultivating and managing donor relationships
• Knowledge of US and international philanthropy
• Strong prospect research and pipeline management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Desirable

• Experience within international development or humanitarian organisations
• Existing networks within US and international philanthropy
• Knowledge of ageing, health systems, social protection or humanitarian sectors

Safeguarding, Ethics and Compliance 

HelpAge International is committed to safeguarding the communities with which we work, our partners, staff, and any others who come into contact with our work. 

The Consultant is required to: 

· Prevent harm and abuse arising from their work, conduct, or engagement with HelpAge activities;

· Report any safeguarding concerns, incidents, or suspicions promptly through HelpAge’s reporting mechanisms;

· Comply with HelpAge’s Safeguarding Policy and associated frameworks, including the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA);

· Complete any mandatory safeguarding training or briefings as required for the assignment.

In addition, the Consultant is required to adhere to HelpAge International’s key policies and standards, including but not limited to: 

· Code of Conduct

· Safeguarding Policy

· Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy

· Anti-Fraud and Bribery Policy

· Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy

· Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy

· Raising a Concern (Whistleblowing) Policy

· Social Media Policy

The Consultant is expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with these policies at all times while engaged with HelpAge.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in termination of the  contract and, where appropriate, further action. 

War on Want is a radical charity working in solidarity with grassroots movements and organisations around the world to fight the root causes of poverty, inequality and injustice. We campaign against corporate power, economic exploitation and systems of oppression that drive poverty and human rights violations.

We are seeking a consultant with significant experience in partnership-building, programme design and development and resource mobilisation to support the growth of our international partnerships and movement-building work.

Working with War on Want staff and our existing partners, the Consultant will identify opportunities for collaboration with labour, feminist and social movement organisations in the Global South (primarily South Asia and Africa). They will develop partnership-centred programme concepts and position these to  fundraise with relevant philanthropic donors and identify  funding opportunities.

The Consultant will be part of the International Partnership Programmes Team, working closely with our Senior Fundraising Officer and, where relevant, Senior Campaign Officers. We are looking for a consultant who can commit to working alongside the team on a part-time (2 to 3 days per week average as a guide) basis for between four to six months.

If you are excited by the opportunity to work with War on Want and our international partners to develop collaborative programme ideas that will help mobilise resources for justice struggles, please apply by submitting:

• A covering letter outlining your most relevant experience for this role, your proposed daily rate, and your preferred pattern of working days.
• A detailed CV.

This is a self-employed consultancy engagement and does not constitute employment with War on Want.

For more information and to apply, please visit our website.

Deadline for applications: 6.00pm on Wednesday, 2 September 2026.

About Thrombosis UK

Thrombosis UK is the UK’s leading thrombosis charity, working to improve awareness, prevention and support for people affected by blood clots.

As part of our new organisational strategy, we are launching a major programme focused on raising awareness of blood clot (VTE) risk during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This programme will combine public awareness, healthcare professional engagement, patient advocacy and policy influence to improve understanding, encourage earlier action and contribute to longer-term system change.

We are seeking an experienced freelance communications professional to work alongside our team to help shape and deliver this programme.

The opportunity

This is not a traditional PR brief. We are looking for someone who can think strategically while also delivering practical communications activity across multiple channels.

The consultant will work alongside Thrombosis UK staff who already deliver digital communications, social media, volunteer engagement and patient support. The role is to provide strategic communications expertise, lead specialist campaign activity and build the team's capacity, rather than replace existing internal functions.

The successful consultant will help us develop and implement an integrated campaign that includes:

· Public awareness campaigns

· Media relations and press activity

· Digital communications and content planning

· Website content and user journeys

· Stakeholder communications

· Support for public affairs and parliamentary engagement

· Campaign evaluation and learning

The consultant will work closely with our Chief Executive and wider team, bringing specialist campaign expertise that complements our existing clinical knowledge and patient support work.