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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.
Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter outlining their suitability for the consultancy, together with an up-to-date CV and financial proposal (daily rate).
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Join BrainWaves at an exciting stage of growth and help build the sustainable income behind our ambitious plans to improve young people’s mental health.
This is a rare opportunity for a proactive fundraiser to take real ownership of a growing fundraising programme, working with experienced specialists while broadening your expertise across trusts, major donors, corporate partnerships and individual giving.
About BrainWaves Research
BrainWaves Research is a charity working to improve young people’s mental health and wellbeing through research, education and collaboration.
We bring together scientists, educators, schools and young people to build a stronger understanding of adolescent mental health and translate evidence into practical support. Our work combines a major longitudinal research study with evidence-based educational resources for schools.
BrainWaves is a long-term collaboration involving the University of Oxford, Swansea University and The Day News & Media. We are entering an exciting stage of growth and are looking for a proactive and versatile Fundraising Manager to help secure the sustainable income needed to achieve our ambitions.
The opportunity
You will lead the day-to-day delivery of fundraising across trusts and foundations, major donors, corporate partnerships and individual giving, developing new opportunities as well as managing and growing existing relationships.
The role may particularly suit someone with strong experience in one area – most likely trusts and foundations or high-value giving – who is ready to broaden their expertise across a mixed portfolio.
You will work particularly closely with our fractional Fundraising Director, who will provide strategic direction and support, as well as experienced specialists in major gifts and events, senior volunteers and colleagues across BrainWaves.
This is a hands-on role with significant autonomy. We are looking for someone proactive, ambitious and organised who enjoys turning strategy into action, building relationships, improving systems and hitting targets. Above all, you will be passionate about our mission to improve young people’s mental health.
Key responsibilities
Fundraising and income growth
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Work with the Fundraising Director and COO to deliver BrainWaves’ fundraising strategy and annual income plan.
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Manage and grow a pipeline across trusts and foundations, major donors, corporates and individual giving.
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Research and develop new prospects, partnerships and sustainable income opportunities.
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Prepare compelling cases for support, grant applications, proposals, presentations and donor communications.
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Take ownership of agreed income targets, deadlines and activity plans, monitoring performance and forecasting income.
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Manage funder and supporter relationships from initial approach through to reporting and stewardship.
Major donors, corporates and supporters
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Work with the Fundraising Director, trustees, senior volunteers and specialist advisers to identify, cultivate and steward high-value prospects.
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Build relationships with companies whose values and interests align with BrainWaves and develop appropriate partnership opportunities.
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Help develop our individual-giving programme, including appeals, regular giving and supporter journeys.
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Manage and improve our use of JustGiving and other digital fundraising platforms.
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Support donor and cultivation events, including prospect identification, communications and follow-up.
CRM, data and fundraising operations
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Take day-to-day ownership of BrainWaves’ CRM, ensuring supporter, prospect, donation and relationship records are accurate and up to date.
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Improve how the CRM is used for pipeline management, reporting, segmentation, stewardship and task management.
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Establish clear and consistent processes for recording and using fundraising information.
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Produce regular pipeline, income and forecasting reports and use data to identify opportunities, gaps and risks.
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Ensure information from JustGiving and other platforms is captured and followed up appropriately.
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Maintain high standards of data protection, fundraising compliance and data quality.
Collaborative working
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Work closely with the Fundraising Director and experienced freelance specialists in fundraising strategy, major gifts and events.
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Collaborate with colleagues across communications, research and operations to develop strong fundraising propositions and materials.
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Support trustees and senior volunteers in their fundraising activity.
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Attend occasional meetings and events, primarily in Oxford and London.
About you
You will be a confident and proactive fundraiser with strong experience in at least one income stream and an appetite to broaden your expertise.
You will be a persuasive communicator and excellent relationship builder, comfortable managing multiple prospects, deadlines and priorities. You will enjoy working in a small, evolving organisation where initiative is valued and will be effective working independently from home while staying closely connected to the wider team.
Most importantly, you will be motivated by ambitious targets and genuinely excited by BrainWaves’ mission.
Essential experience and skills
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Experience of securing income within a charity, university, research institution or other purpose-led organisation.
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Strong experience in at least one fundraising stream, such as trusts and foundations, major donors, corporates or individual giving.
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Evidence of meeting fundraising targets or contributing significantly to income growth.
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Experience of managing prospects from research and qualification through to solicitation and stewardship.
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Excellent written skills, including producing persuasive applications, proposals and donor communications.
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Strong relationship-building and stakeholder-management skills.
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Ability to understand complex information and turn it into a clear and compelling case for support.
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Experience of using a fundraising CRM to manage pipelines, records and reporting.
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Excellent organisation, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
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A proactive, resourceful and collaborative approach.
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A genuine commitment to BrainWaves’ purpose.
Desirable experience
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Experience across more than one fundraising income stream.
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Trusts and foundations and/or major donor fundraising experience.
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Experience of corporate partnerships.
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Experience of using and improving a CRM, particularly Beacon or a similar system.
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Experience of JustGiving or similar digital fundraising platforms.
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Experience of fundraising for mental health, young people, education, science, health or research.
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Knowledge of fundraising regulation and data protection.
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Experience of donor cultivation or fundraising events.
What we offer
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The opportunity to shape and grow fundraising within an ambitious charity.
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Close working with an experienced Fundraising Director and senior fundraising specialists.
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Significant autonomy and the opportunity to broaden your fundraising experience.
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Meaningful work supporting research and education focused on adolescent mental health.
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A flexible, predominantly home-based role.
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25 days’ annual leave pro rata.
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Auto-enrolment into our pension scheme after successful completion of a three-month probation period.
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Reasonable travel expenses for required meetings and events.
We are not looking for freelance consultants or consultancies to contact us for this role, as we really want someone to embed in our team.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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.