Director of major gifts jobs
ABOUT TRAIN
TRAIN is a youth work charity based in South Oxfordshire. We support young people aged 10 to 18 in Didcot, Wallingford and the surrounding areas, especially those who are under-served.
Young people in our communities are facing complex challenges. Mental health struggles, pressures at school, family instability and the impact of poverty can leave them feeling isolated or overlooked. Too often, they don’t have access to the right support at the right time. TRAIN exists to change that. We offer trusted relationships with adults outside positions of authority, safe spaces where young people can be themselves, and opportunities to grow in confidence, make positive choices and feel part of their community.
Our vision: every young person should have the opportunities, tools and support they need to create a positive future.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As Fundraising and Communications Coordinator, your main focus will be trusts and foundations: researching opportunities, writing persuasive applications and producing clear reports. You’ll also play a part in growing support from corporates, community fundraising, individual donors and major gifts, helping to build a broader base of income over time.
Alongside this, you’ll lead on communications. That means keeping our website and social channels current, producing supporter newsletters, and sharing our story more widely through PR and campaigns. You’ll help make sure the difference TRAIN makes for young people is seen and understood by funders, partners and the local community.
It’s a hands-on role, well-suited to someone who enjoys writing, building relationships and juggling different projects. You don’t need to be an experienced fundraiser — we’re open to people with transferable skills, whether from corporate, public or third sector backgrounds. What matters most is that you can communicate clearly, organise your workload, and are motivated by making a difference for young people.
You’ll report directly to the CEO and work closely with the rest of the team. This is a part-time role of approximately 30 hours per week, which can be worked flexibly. The role is based in Didcot with hybrid working, but for the right candidate we will consider a fully remote arrangement.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
- Salary: £28,598 - £31,022 FTE (pro-rated, depending on experience)
- Contract: Permanent, part-time, approx. 30 hours per week. We can be flexible on the exact number and when they are worked.
- Annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- Pension: 3% employer contribution
- Flexible working: Hybrid by default, fully remote considered. We’re happy to consider other flexible arrangements such as term-time only and job shares.
- Professional development: Tailored learning and training opportunities
- Wellbeing: Access to an employee assistance programme with mental health and wellbeing support
- Culture: Supportive, collaborative team with regular catch-ups and shared learning
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising (approx. 80%)
- Pipeline and planning – work with the CEO to keep a clear fundraising plan, with trusts and foundations as the main focus alongside manageable growth in corporates, community, and individual giving.
- Trusts and foundations – research prospects, build a live pipeline, and write strong, tailored bids. Prepare accurate budgets and gather evidence from the team to strengthen proposals.
- Reporting and stewardship – deliver timely reports, thank funders and donors well, and manage renewals and uplift opportunities.
- Relationship development – nurture links with local businesses, community groups and potential major donors. Prepare simple proposals and support fundraising events or activities as needed.
- Systems and compliance – maintain accurate records of applications, deadlines and outcomes. Ensure fundraising activity is compliant with GDPR and charity regulations.
Communications (approx. 20%)
- Supporter communications – produce engaging newsletters, updates and thank-yous that connect donors and partners with TRAIN’s impact.
- Digital presence – update the website and social media channels with accurate, timely content that reflects TRAIN’s work and values.
- PR and profile – share stories with local media, partners and networks. Ensure TRAIN’s messaging is clear, consistent and accessible.
- Community engagement – promote TRAIN’s profile, youth offer, brand and presence in the community.
General
- Work closely with the CEO to align fundraising and comms priorities.
- Collaborate with youth work staff to gather stories, quotes and data that demonstrate TRAIN’s impact.
- Represent TRAIN at meetings and community events.
- Contribute to the life of a small, collaborative team.
ABOUT YOU
We don’t expect you to have a long career in fundraising behind you. What matters most is that you can write clearly and persuasively, build relationships with people, and organise your workload to meet deadlines. If you’ve developed these skills in another sector and are keen to bring them into the charity world, we’d love to hear from you. Just as important, you’ll bring a genuine passion for TRAIN’s mission and a belief in the difference youth work makes.
Essential qualities
- Strong written communication skills: able to produce clear, persuasive bids, reports and updates.
- Good at building relationships, whether with colleagues, partners or supporters.
- Organised and reliable, able to manage multiple deadlines.
- Comfortable working independently but also a collaborative team member.
- Confident using IT tools (Microsoft Office, online research, basic social media platforms).
- Passionate about TRAIN’s mission and motivated to make a difference for young people.
- Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check (we will arrange this before you start).
Desirable qualities
- Experience of fundraising, bid writing or income generation in any setting.
- Understanding of trusts and foundations, or the ability to learn quickly.
- Experience in marketing, PR, or communications (e.g. social media, newsletters, supporter comms).
- Familiarity with CRM or pipeline management tools.
- Knowledge of charity fundraising regulation and GDPR.
- Confidence in representing an organisation at events or meetings.
Equal opportunities
TRAIN is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including those underrepresented in the youth work sector. We welcome diversity in age, ethnicity, faith, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and lived experience.
Safer recruitment
TRAIN is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. Recruitment to this post will include references and an enhanced DBS check.
Recruitment timeline
- Applications open: Thursday 18 September
- Applications close: Thursday 16 October (midnight)
- Shortlisted candidates notified: Friday 17 October
- Interviews: Thursday 23 October
Registered Charity
1 - 5
TRAIN exists to improve the life opportunities of young people aged 10 to 18 in Didcot and Wallingford.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Connexional Worship Renewal Team Leader
London-Hybrid
Hybrid Working: Connexional Team staff based at Methodist Church House have a hybrid work pattern which is currently 2-3 days in the office.
We are offering a hugely exciting role to support Methodist worship renewal across The Connexion and to continue to enhance our wonderful communities of local preachers, worship leaders and musicians through the training and development programmes offered by The Methodist Church in Great Britain.
It is open to both ordained and lay Methodists alike.
In recognition of the centrality of the worshipping life of the Church to Our Calling as both Christians and Methodists, we are absolutely committed to effectively supporting (in theology, craft and with practical questions) all of those who lead worship. We also recognise the missional imperative for high-quality worship. Thus the holder of this post will lead a small team, whose aims are to:
- Empower all of those leading worship through support and development.
- Operationalise and manage the Worship Renewal stream of the Methodist Church in Britain’s God For All ambition and strategy.
This will include working strategically; embedding deep learning and practice; envisaging and developing exceptional training and resourcing for all those involved in worship leading; managing staff, workplans and budgets; and being responsible for the governance aspects which sit within this role.
About you
Thus, we are looking for someone who is a gifted ‘crafter of worship’ and preacher, with deep sensitivity for Methodist worship in its varied traditions, passion for excellence in Methodist worship and creative strategic thinker. You will care deeply about the communities of people who lead Methodist worship, working alongside them to enable all to lead worship which contributes to flourishing Methodist churches.
It is essential, therefore, that you are a presbyter, deacon or local preacher in The Methodist Church, have a deep understanding of Methodist – and wider – theology with an understanding of how to translate these for contemporary society. You will have an excellent understanding of current training structures for worship within The Methodist Church, alongside experience of leading and managing change in a complex organisation.
The team
The Ministries and Learning Team in which this role sits, is friendly, supportive, vibrant and passionate. Within this team, you will be line-managed by The Director of Ministry Development. The Team exists to equip the Methodist Church by training, developing and supporting those called by God to serve in lay and ordained ministry embedding the strategies which support the Church’s aspiration to be inclusive, justice seeking, evangelistic and growing.
The postholder will manage a small team and work widely with other teams, such as Evangelism and Growth, and across the wider Connexion.
This post carries an occupational requirement for the post holder to be a Christian (in accordance with the Equality Act 2010).
Our Culture, Values and Benefits
Thank you for considering joining our inclusive and welcoming team that strives for excellence and values employee wellbeing.
We value and support all those who join our team through a positive work-life balance augmented by generous annual leave (plus an extra 3 days over Christmas/New Year), TOIL, flexi-leave and an on-site Well-being Adviser service. We offer a generous occupational pension scheme, where the Methodist Church will pay double the employee contribution up to a maximum of 16% employer contribution.
The Methodist Church is an inclusive and supportive employer. We are actively committed to encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds. We welcome applications from people of Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic groups. We also welcome applications from people living with disabilities.
For ministers in Full Connexion the standard terms of service apply.
Closing date: 2 October 2025
Interview date: 21 October 2025 (Methodist Church House, London)
Registered Charity
101 - 500
The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.
Thank you!
Royal Star & Garter are a charity that provides loving, compassionate care and support to veterans and their families, both in our Homes and through services that reach into the wider community. Following our recent merger with the Armed Forces charity Care for Veterans in Worthing, we’re looking for a skilled and motivated Fundraising Assistant.
We are looking for someone committed to making a difference to our work and interested in developing a career in fundraising. We welcome experience gained outside the charity sector and are committed to supporting learning and development in this role.
This person must be passionate about delivering high levels of personalised care to a range of donors and have the ability to communicate effectively, while maintaining attention to detail to ensure the smooth delivery of the processes behind donor engagement. You must also be flexible and confident in providing wider support across the fundraising teams within the Royal Star & Garter group.
This is a hybrid role, with two days a week at our Worthing Home to build strong relationships and gain a deeper understanding of our work. There may also be occasional visits to outside events and to Royal Star & Garter’s other Homes as needed.
Purpose of the role
- To provide excellent customer care to all donors, delivering optimum supporter journeys working effectively with the wider team within the Royal Star & Garter (RSG) group
- To manage all associated fundraising payment processes and procedures and work effectively with finance to manage safe and effective banking and reconciliations
- To provide fundraising support across the department and locations of our services in respect of a range of activities including fundraising events
- To support the High Value Events & Corporate Manager in time bound projects as and when necessary
Supporter care
- To be proactive in enabling the supporter journey with timely communications (phone, email and letters) and clear stewardship with both existing and new donors
- Ensure effective frontline support and response for donors across a range of incoming systems
- Ensure donation processes and procedures are adhered to and executed in a timely manner, in accordance with guidelines – updating those wherever required with approval by the RSG Fundraising Officer.
Donations and data entry
- Ensure that the fundraising CRM database is up to date and that supporters contact and financial data is accurate, including creating new records
- Complete weekly banking and allocation tasks in accordance with the approved process, liaising with the finance department to ensure that all batched income is allocated correctly
- Data inputting on the CRM to include: regular giving, importing income from external agencies including CAF and Just Giving, processing Gift Aid and accurately storing declarations
- Filing and management of paperwork, ensuring due diligence and security measures are followed.
Fundraising & volunteer support
- To provide active support to a range of events including: managing participants, sending information, monitoring online giving pages and on the day set up and pack down
- To directly source donated items and contributors to support fundraising events including raffle/auction prizes and coordinating suppliers, stallholders and entertainers
- Coordinate and communicate with volunteers for events and corporate volunteering days and activities, ensuring they are briefed and supported
- To support any regular mailings or email contact to supporters, assisting with the cleaning and compliance of data once an agreed annual schedule is in place regular.
Other
- To manage all aspects of incoming fundraising post and dedicated inboxes along with outgoing mailings
- Ensure general department are kept up to date including attendance at meetings within RSG group wherever possible
- To be conversant with relevant fundraising legislation and the guidelines of the
Fundraising Regulator and the GDPR
- To undertake other duties as may be required and which are consistent with the nature of the role.
Knowledge and experience:
- Experience of working in a customer focused environment, preferably within fundraising
- Good working knowledge of CRM database
- Experience of banking processes and consistent financial reconciliation
- Ability to manage a busy workload meeting deadlines
- Experience of working on own initiative and as part of a team
- Experience of supporting fundraising events, including logistics and on-the-day delivery (desirable)
- Experience of coordinating or working with volunteers, including corporate groups (desirable).
Skills:
- Excellent communication skills including written (and email) and on the phone
- Excellent attention to detail with a good eye for numbers
- Excellent general IT skills including Word & Excel
- Good relationship building skills and an ability to work across teams creating strong internal networks
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a live event environment
- Confidence in engaging with a range of stakeholders, including participants, local businesses, and community groups.
Personal characteristics should include:
- A consultative approach to solving problems
- Planning and organising; schedules activities effectively
- A positive upbeat attitude
- Effective team player
- Role model our values in all aspects of work
- Flexible and adaptable, with a willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends to support events.
We reserve the right to update and amend your job description to ensure it accurately reflects the role.
Thank you!
Head of Philanthropy Intelligence, Planning & Performance
Salary: M3 - £75,000 - £85,000 pa depending on experience
Reports to: Associate Director of Philanthropy
Department: Strategy & Philanthropy
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week (flexible-working requests for compressed hours will be considered if it meets business needs)
Location: Stratford, London with high flexibility (we would expect you to be in the office 1 to 2 days per week).
Closing date: Wednesday 24th September at 23.55. This vacancy may close earlier if a high number of applications are received or once a suitable candidate is found, so please do not delay submitting your application to avoid any disappointment.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.
We're a collective force, tackling cancer on all fronts to save and improve lives. We fund pioneering research, we provide reliable and accessible information, we influence policy, and we encourage positive behaviour change. We are a passionate team of professionals driven by purpose, striving to accelerate breakthroughs in cancer research and treatment. We are the world's biggest charitable funder of cancer research raising on average £640m a year.
As we expand our efforts, we're recruiting an inspiring, strategic leader to join our Philanthropy Directorate as Head of Philanthropy Intelligence, Planning & Performance. This pivotal role will shape the future of philanthropic fundraising through data-driven excellence, insightful strategy, and empowered team leadership.
As a senior member of the Philanthropy Operations team, you'll lead the charge by embedding intelligence-led thinking across the directorate-driving innovation, performance, and long-term donor engagement. From prospect development and portfolio management to deep analytics and strategic planning, your leadership will be instrumental in delivering transformational gifts and campaign success.
This role also plays a central part in delivering our ambitious £400 million More Research, Less Cancer campaign-accelerating life-saving cancer research and unlocking transformational gifts for Cancer Research UK.
What will I be doing?
Provide strategic leadership to the Prospect Development and Insight & Reporting teams, shaping their direction, plans, and delivery.
Deliver proactive insight, analysis, and intelligence to inform decision-making and strengthen strategic development.
Oversee the annual business planning process, ensuring robust monitoring, delivery, and evaluation frameworks.
Partner with fundraising leadership to support portfolio and performance management, including oversight of top donor relationships.
Partner with senior leaders across the directorate to develop, refine, and implement strategic plans, ensuring intelligence and insight are embedded throughout.
Oversee and champion the directorate-wide embedding of the new CRM (Salesforce), ensuring business readiness and alignment with future growth.
Support the development of infrastructure to enable international fundraising expansion in line with CRUK's evolving Global Strategy.
What skills are we looking for?
Proven senior leadership experience in complex, matrixed organisations.
Expertise in philanthropic strategy, prospect development and research, data insight, and performance reporting.
Experience in budget development, forecasting, and financial modelling.
Skilled in stakeholder engagement and strategic influence across all levels.
Track record of delivering ambitious outcomes through people, data, and process.
Strong understanding of major gift fundraising and donor lifecycle principles.
Fluent in CRM systems and data platforms (e.g. Salesforce, PowerBi, Excel).
Emotionally intelligent communicator with a collaborative, proactive mindset.
Resilient, adaptable, and committed to operational excellence.
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.
Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination
Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
Human: Act to have a positive impact on people
Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively
We're looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.
What will I gain?
We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.
You can explore our benefits by visiting our .
How do I apply?
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.
For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Please note: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
Thank you!
Location: Home Based, United Kingdom
Group: Social Impact
Vacancy type: Permanent
35 hours per week
£45,000 per annum / pro rata (plus allowances)
Remote
The Children's Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 130 years. We run local services that support children when they are at their most vulnerable and in desperate need of help. We're there for children, every step of the way.
This role sits within our Social Impact Group and you will work closely with Senior Philanthropy Leaders and Major Appeal Programme Director to identify and access new and existing networks of wealth, opportunity and influence.
Our step-change in impact with children will be achieved by a step-change in our philanthropy & partnerships: as our new Senior Prospect Research Manager you'll take a crucial role in this transformation through strategic development and delivery of the full Philanthropy Programme prospect identification and pipeline management framework to enable high quality research, cultivation, stewardship of high value philanthropists and partners in support of TCS
In order to be successful in this role, you must have:
-Extensive knowledge and understanding of Philanthropy audiences (particularly high net worth individuals and corporates) including motivations for giving and the principles of major gift fundraising to include identification, research, solicitation and stewardship
-Strong track record of successful performance as a prospect/fundraising researcher, including experience conducting due diligence within the not-for-profit sector
-Excellent written and presentation skills and confident ability to deliver verbal and written proposals up to CEO / Board level
-Excellent knowledge of legal, regulatory and ethical environment of philanthropy fundraising, including General Data Protection Regulation
The Children's Society runs over 100 local services that help thousands of young people who desperately need our support, and we campaign to get laws and policies changed to make children's lives happier and safer.
Every day we're changing the lives of children in this country for the better - and with your help, tomorrow we can be there for even more.
The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services.
The closing date for applications is midnight on 22nd September 2025.
Thank you!
We are looking for an experienced and passionate Senior Philanthropy and Research Officer to work as part of our Fundraising Team.
Imagine being part of an organisation whose common purpose is to help those who are severely impacted by mental illness. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity – and that’s why equity is one of our core values. We draw on the expertise, unique perspectives and lived experience of our people – regardless of who they are or their background – to help us become inclusive and anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider that reflect the diverse communities we support as a mental health charity.
The Fundraising team is a dynamic group of fundraisers who are passionately committed to raising money for our life-changing work in the mental health and mental illness space. We have a diverse portfolio of income streams spanning Events, Community, Individual Giving, Legacies, In-Memoriam, Philanthropy, Trusts & Grants, and Partnerships.
Trusts & Grants have a strong track record at Rethink Mental Illness and a growing portfolio of supporters at Mental Health UK. The team is well-positioned to develop innovative funding propositions that support the future ambitions of both charities, working to achieve both in-year cornerstone grants and long-term, transformational funding. As a newly established programme, Philanthropy demonstrates exciting potential for both Rethink and MHUK, with initiatives spanning major donor and mid-value engagement. Corporate Partnerships have launched several exciting partnerships across both charities and that portfolio and team continues to grow.
How you will make a difference
Reporting to the Prospect Research Manager, you will identify and qualify new prospects across Philanthropy, Trusts & Grants, and Corporate Partnerships. You will carry out in-depth research using a wide range of sources, manage due diligence processes and ensure accurate data is maintained on our CRM systems. You will also work closely with the Interim Head of Trusts and Philanthropy to steward donors and deliver exceptional supporter experiences.
To be successful in this role, you will be an inquisitive, proactive and data-driven fundraiser who enjoys uncovering insights through research and crafting compelling communications that make a meaningful difference to donors.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer. We recognise and support staff networks and support groups for our ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.
We aim for our workforce to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve; for those who work for us to feel heard, valued and feel they belong; and for our work to help tackle wider mental health inequalities. We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience of mental illness, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and any other gender identity not expressed here (LGBTQIA+); people who are neurodiverse, have a health condition, or a disability or hidden disability and people from an ethnically diverse background - regardless of your age, religious or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, political view or socio-economic status.
Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation
We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrates our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation. You can read more about our progress here.
Registered Charity
501 - 1000
We’re Rethink Mental Illness and no matter how bad things are, we can help people severely affected by mental illness to improve their lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We are looking for an outstanding individual to join our Development and Alumni Relations team to help guide and deliver ourregular giving and stewardship programmes. The ideal candidate will have experience of running successful major fundraising appeals to large audiences. They will have the ability to draft persuasive and accurate copy to support both fundraising and stewardship literature. They will be highly motivated and creative, driving new initiatives to boost participation, increase overall giving, while also increasing retention of donors through an outstanding, tailored stewardship programme. They will be a team-player who can work autonomously when required, but can work collaboratively, and will support other team members with aspects of their work.
The Development and Alumni Relations Office leads the process of generating long-term and consistent voluntary income for Merchant Taylors’ School, and forrunning a comprehensive alumni and parental relations programme.
The Development Manager (Fundraising and Stewardship) will be responsible for planning, managing and having an input to the strategy for a regular giving programme at Merchant Taylors’ School, with a focus on increasing the participation (giving rates) of both our alumni and parental constituencies, as well as donor retention through planning and executing a stewardship programme for benefactors of all levels. Some face-to-face fundraising may also be required, particularly relating to legacy fundraising and the post-holder will build a portfolio of mid-level donors they will manage.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.