Donor stewardship officer jobs
Job Profile
Reporting to the Managing Director, you will lead on the recruitment, retention, and value growth of Afghanaid’s supporter base by directing and implementing communications, fundraising and engagement strategies, aligned with broader organisation goals. Designing and managing a tight budget, you will direct the Communication and Giving unit to maximise their success.
You will provide strategic and supervisory oversight of fundraising income from individual giving, regular giving, major donors, trusts and foundations, corporates, community and student fundraising and events, managing annual fundraising appeals and driving organisational unrestricted income growth.
You will lead on communications for Afghanaid, overseeing print, digital, and paid marketing activities and the growth of communications channels. You will execute Afghanaid’s organisational brand strategy which ensures the integrity of the brand and maximises awareness. You will manage all public relations including crisis communications, as well as the growth of strategic media placements and high profile relationships. You will drive the success of organisational impact storytelling and communications for both internal and external stakeholders. As a member of the executive department, you will collaborate and synergise with other departments to promote organisational success.
Key Responsibilities:
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Drive organisational strategy, culture and cross-department collaboration to advance Afghanaid’s mission and objectives.
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Lead development and delivery of Communications, Engagement and Fundraising strategies and work plans.
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Line manage and develop a high-performing team, including staff, volunteers and interns.
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Build and maintain relationships with consultants, agencies and pro bono partners.
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Oversee budgets, reporting and data-driven performance management to ensure efficiency and impact.
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Promote a positive and cohesive London team environment, coordinating hybrid working, inductions and HR support.
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Oversee public fundraising strategy across multiple income streams.
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Lead design and delivery of internal and external appeals, campaigns and donor stewardship.
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Identify new funding opportunities, partnerships and innovation in engagement.
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Oversee the full range of Afghanaid’s event portfolio, and attend relevant events to represent Afghanaid;
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Ensure effective CRM management, data integrity and financial reconciliation.
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Serve as brand guardian, ensuring consistency and evolution of Afghanaid’s identity.
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Oversee creation and execution of integrated communications and marketing plans.
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Direct production of engaging digital and print content, including newsletters, social media, and fundraising collateral.
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Manage website optimisation, SEO and analytics to drive engagement and conversions.
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Lead innovation in digital marketing, email campaigns and supporter journeys.
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Advise leadership on reputation management and crisis communications.
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Develop media policies and act as spokesperson when required.
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Manage proactive and reactive media relations, building relationships with journalists, influencers and advocates.
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Promote Afghanaid’s thought leadership through strategic storytelling and public commentary.
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Commission and direct multimedia content to strengthen organisational storytelling.
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Lead content planning, production and performance analysis.
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Champion participatory storytelling approaches and creative innovation.
Undertake any other duties as and when required by the line director.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
You will be an experienced and dynamic communicator with significant demonstrable experience in fundraising and/or communications at a senior level, coupled with an awareness and up to date knowledge and experience of the tools that would maximise the success of our communications and fundraising activities. In addition, you will have excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to confidently build and maintain strong relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders. Possessing strong management skills, you will have experience of managing small multi-disciplinary teams, providing direction and leadership to enable development and high performance, and the ability to role-model a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion.
Education/ Training
Master’s Degree in communications, marketing, public fundraising or another relevant field (or at least 5-years’ experience).
Work Experience
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At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, supporter engagement or communications, with at least 2 years’ experience directly managing staff.
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Experience developing and leading integrated multi-channel and multi-stakeholder communications, engagement and/or fundraising strategies.
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Experience in growing audiences, engagement and/or income streams.
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Experience communicating about and/or fundraising for and/or maintaining engagement with Afghanistan or a similar context.
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Experience using KPIs and data to make data-driven decisions to improve efficacy and efficiency.
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Experience managing and monitoring a tight budget.
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Experience conceptualising, producing and commissioning multimedia content, from marketing and fundraising collateral to audiovisual content.
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Experience running full-funnel, multi-channel marketing strategies including paid advertising.
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Understanding of risks associated with communications, public fundraising, and NGO operating contexts, and experience in mitigating those risks.
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Experience supervising, organising, motivating and developing staff.
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In depth knowledge of trends in storytelling, brand, PR, marketing and fundraising.
Professional Skills, Competencies, Values and Attitudes
Afghanaid’s core values are creativity, fairness and honesty. Our staff is passionate about and proud of Afghanaid. Teamwork is fundamental to our standards and demonstrated by taking initiative, assisting others and taking on additional responsibilities and tasks if necessary. We are results driven, committed and motivated to achieve targets and take accountability for our own actions.
Specifically, the holder of this position should also demonstrate the following:
Essential
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Fluent in spoken and written English.
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Track record of increasing audiences, fundraising totals and engagement metrics from multiple different sources, with a strong business development mindset.
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Experience securing five or six figure gifts from funders;
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Solutions and results orientated; energised by thinking outside the box, and by finding and pursuing novel or innovative approaches and solutions.
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Experience using Salesforce CRM and Marketing Cloud
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Skilled at spotting and prioritising opportunities and synergies, and effective in securing wide-ranging forms of engagement and partnership.
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Excellent listening, speaking and writing skills; strong capabilities of persuasion and a proven track record of uniting people around a common goal.
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Multimedia skills, with knowledge, experience and enthusiasm in driving digital innovation.
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Highly organised with strong leadership and project management skills, able to collaboratively manage competing priorities with senior and junior colleagues.
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Demonstrably skilled brand custodian, able to mitigate risks, anticipate and capitalise upon opportunities, and strengthen reputation.
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Capable of working independently as well as collaboratively, both in leading a team and as part of the team.
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Passionate about driving change, and inspiring individuals and groups to support a cause to deliver that change.
Desirable
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Experience working within an international development or humanitarian context, particularly with causes related to Afghanistan
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Strategic understanding of UK and global fundraising landscapes and emerging giving trends.
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Proven ability to represent an organisation publicly with confidence, professionalism and credibility.
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Experience guiding senior leaders or trustees on media, communications and reputational matters.
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Skilled in crisis communications and reputation management.
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Understanding of inclusive and ethical storytelling practices, with sensitivity to safeguarding considerations.
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Experience developing high-value corporate or media partnerships.
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Comfortable working in a fast-moving, resource-limited environment and adapting to changing external circumstances.
The Organisation
Afghanaid is a British humanitarian and development organisation. For over forty years, our dedicated personnel have worked with millions of families in some of the poorest and most remote communities in Afghanistan. We build basic services, improve livelihoods, strengthen the rights of women and children, help communities protect against natural disasters and adapt to climate change, and respond to humanitarian emergencies. We are headquartered in Kabul, and operate provincial and district offices across Afghanistan, as well as a Marketing and Fundraising office in London. We employ around 500 personnel, 97% of whom are Afghans.
Other Information
Afghanaid’s core values are creativity, fairness and honesty. Our staff are passionate about and proud to work at Afghanaid. Teamwork is fundamental to our standards and demonstrated by taking initiative, assisting others and taking on additional responsibilities and tasks if necessary. We are results driven, committed and motivated to achieve targets and take accountability for our own actions.
Our remuneration and benefits package is competitive with other similar organisations.
This position presents an excellent opportunity for someone who has the ambition and determination to move up in their career.
Please submit a cover letter (no more than two A4 pages) and CV (no more than two A4 pages) via CharityJob or to the email address provided by 23:30 on the 17th December 2025, including your name and the job title in the subject line. The precision and style with which you present yourself in your cover letter and CV will be given significant weight in shortlisting candidates. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to every application. If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the deadline, then you have not been successful for shortlisting.
Working with communities in Afghanistan to find long-lasting solutions and provide life-saving support to those in crisis.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Position: Community Fundraising Manager Scotland & North England
Type: Full-time (35 hours a week), permanent
Location: Homebased (Covering Scotland & North England will be expected to travel widely within this area as part of the role)
Salary: £33,044* per annum plus excellent benefits
Salary Band and Job Family: Band 2, Charity
*you’ll start at our entry point salary of £33,044* per annum, increasing to £35,109* after 6 months service and satisfactory performance and to £37,174* after a further 6 months.
About us
We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.
Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus.
Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information.
Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.
About this job
Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for fundraising and building strong community connections?
Do you thrive on leading teams, driving innovation, and achieving ambitious targets?
If so, we’d love to hear from you! We’re looking for a Community Fundraising Manager to lead our regional fundraising team across Scotland and North England.
In this role, you’ll develop and deliver innovative fundraising strategies, inspire and motivate your team, and build lasting relationships with supporters, businesses, and community partners to secure sustainable income.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading and motivating a regional team to deliver income growth and operational excellence.
- Developing and implementing regional fundraising strategies and budgets.
- Building strong relationships with donors, volunteers, and community partners.
- Identifying and securing new fundraising opportunities across multiple income streams.
- Ensuring compliance with fundraising standards and managing budgets effectively.
- Collaborating with internal teams to align fundraising activities with organisational goals.
Wha we’re looking for:
- Proven success in income generation and community fundraising.
- Strong leadership and team development experience.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Financial management expertise and ability to deliver against targets.
- Competent in Microsoft Office and CRM systems, with a valid driving licence.
Why join us?
You’ll be part of a passionate team committed to making a real difference for people affected by MS. We offer flexible working, professional development opportunities, and the chance to lead innovative fundraising initiatives that change lives.
Closing date for applications: 09:00 on Friday 12 January 2026
Interested?
PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Equal Opportunities
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.
We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application.
Disability Confident Employer
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.
You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.
If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.
More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to):
Encouraging work life balance
- 39 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
- More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
- Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us)
- Flexible working options
Caring for you and your family
- Generous sick pay entitlement
- More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment
- Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year
- Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis
- Enhanced leave for new parents
- Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
- Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
- 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time
- 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time
- Cycle to work scheme
- Death in service scheme
- New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
- In the event of miscarriage or still birth
- To support fertility treatments
- For antenatal appointments for both parents
Thinking about your finances
- Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
- Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
- New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing
Enriching your life at work
- Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
- Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
- New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely
- Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups)
- Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support
- 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community)
- 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal
Safeguarding
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.
This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.
We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.
We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.
Your right to work in the UK
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.
You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.
No agencies please.
To fund world-leading research, share the latest information and campaign for everyone's rights. Together we are a community. Together we can stop MS
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Partnerships Manager: Grantmakers
Reports to: Executive Director
Contract: Full-time
Role Purpose
As Partnerships Manager: Grantmakers, you will lead the development and delivery of HOST’s Hosted Grantmaking service — ensuring that funders can move resources quickly, safely, and transparently to the people driving change.
You will oversee funder relationships and hosted grantmaking delivery, building systems that ensure clarity, compliance, and care at every stage. Working closely with the Delivery Circle, you’ll strengthen due diligence, grant management, and reporting processes — enabling funders to trust that every pound achieves its intended impact.
In order to respond to growing demand, you will build and manage the Hosted Grantmaking Community Support Team and liaise and coordinate with the Delivery Team, ensuring HOST has the capacity and expertise to meet growing global demand for hosted funds.
This role is central to HOST’s ambition to become a trusted backbone for civil society infrastructure — connecting funders and change-makers through integrity, efficiency, and shared purpose.
Core Responsibilities
1. Hosted Grantmaking Leadership
Lead the delivery and growth of HOST’s Hosted Grantmaking service, working closely with the Executive Director, Operations Director and other Partnership Managers, ensuring alignment between funder expectations, hosted partner needs, and internal delivery capacity.
Co-design and coordinate the Hosted Grantmaking Delivery Team, coordinating with the Delivery Circle (Finance, Due Diligence, and Legal) to ensure seamless grant operations.
Strategic oversight of hosted grantmaking cycles — from application to disbursement and reporting — ensuring accuracy, speed, and compliance in delivery.
Reporting cadence: Monthly Hosted Grantmaking performance report to Executive Director and Operations Director.
2. Hosted Grantmaking Community Support and Relationship Management
Build and lead the Hosted Grantmaking Community Support Team, ensuring all funders and hosted funders receive consistent, proactive, and informed communication.
Strengthen HOST’s funder community by developing engagement pathways, events, and resources that deepen relationships and mutual learning.
Maintain high standards of care, responsiveness, and accountability across all funder interactions.
Reporting cadence: Monthly funder community and relationship management summary.
3. Due Diligence and Grant Facilitation
Work with the Delivery Circle, Grants Manager, and Partnerships Manager: Funders to deliver due diligence processes that are rigorous, efficient, and scalable.
Ensure all funder agreements, compliance documentation, and grant records are accurate, up to date, and audit-ready.
Support the development of clear SOPs for due diligence and hosted grantmaking workflows in collaboration with the Legal Lead and Operations Team.
Reporting cadence: Monthly compliance and due diligence report.
4. Funder Relationship Stewardship and Growth
Support the Partnership Team to manage relationships with key funders and philanthropic partners, ensuring HOST is recognised as a trusted, transparent delivery partner.
Develop funder engagement plans and manage the funder relationship lifecycle from onboarding through renewal.
Identify new funder opportunities aligned with HOST’s mission and facilitate introductions for the Partnerships Director and Executive Director.
Reporting cadence: Quarterly relationship development review.
5. Reporting and Communications
Oversee funder reporting and impact communications, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with HOST’s tone of voice.
Work with the Engagement Team to produce funder updates, case studies, and inputs to the HOST Impact Report.
Ensure funders and partners understand the value, integrity, and impact of HOST’s services.
Reporting cadence: Quarterly reporting and communications alignment.
6. Systems and Process Development
Maintain clear funder and grant records across ClickUp, Zendesk, and CRM systems.
Develop and maintain SOPs for Hosted Grantmaking, funder engagement, and due diligence workflows.
Ensure consistent alignment between partnership data and financial reporting.
Reporting cadence: Quarterly systems and SOP review.
7. Risk, Compliance, and Escalation
Identify and escalate financial, operational, or reputational risks associated with hosted grantmaking or funder engagement.
Collaborate with the Legal Lead, Delivery Team, and Executive Director on mitigation actions and documentation.
Contribute to HOST’s monthly organisational risk report.
Reporting cadence: Real-time escalation; monthly consolidation.
8. Collaboration and Cross-Team Development
Work with the Partnerships Manager: Funders to align Hosted Grantmaking within HOSTs wider donor engagement.
Work with the Partnerships Manager: Changemakers to align Hosted Grantmaking with the Hosted Partner Journey.
Collaborate with the Training Lead and Data Analyst to integrate learning, performance, and impact insights into service design.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of HOST’s partnership management framework.
Reporting cadence: Quarterly service development meeting.
Key Relationships
Internal: Executive Director, Operations Director, Partnerships Manager: Funders, Partnerships Manager: Changemakers, Finance, Legal, Operations, Communications, Data Analyst, and Training Lead.
External: Funders, philanthropic networks, and hosted grant recipients.
Required Experience
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5–8 years’ experience in funder relations, partnerships management, or programme delivery within the not-for-profit, social enterprise, or philanthropic sectors.
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3–5 years’ experience overseeing grantmaking, regranting, or fund distribution programmes, ideally across multiple geographies or funder types.
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Proven ability to manage and grow funder relationships, including institutional, philanthropic, or high-net-worth funders.
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Demonstrated experience leading or building a small team, with responsibility for coaching, supervision, and performance management.
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Strong background in due diligence, compliance, and risk assessment, particularly in relation to funder funds and hosted grantmaking.
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Proven success developing and maintaining systems, SOPs, and cross-team coordination for complex funder or grant processes.
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Experience managing financial reporting and data-driven insights to meet funder and audit requirements.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to deliver confident, values-aligned communications to funders and partners.
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Strong organisational and project management skills — able to balance multiple grants, deadlines, and stakeholders effectively.
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Experience working with CRM and project management platforms (e.g. ClickUp, Zendesk, Salesforce, or similar
We believe in the power of people to do extraordinary things. Our mission is to host the world's change-makers, enabling climate and social action.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Mental Health Foundation is recruiting for a Fundraising Assistant (6-month contract) to support our Public & High Value Fundraising team.
Deadline: 5pm on Monday 5th January 2026 [we reserve the right to close recruitment earlier than this date if we receive a suitable calibre of application so we we advise that you submit your application as soon as possible]
Location: London
Salary: Starting salary £27,170, plus £4,000 London weighting
Hours: Full-time (32 hours per week)
Contract type: Fixed term for 6 months
This exciting role involves working in a busy and fast paced fundraising team, with a focus on Supporter Services, but also supporting the Individual Giving and Events team. This role plays a crucial part in ensuring supporters receive exceptional service, processing donations accurately and maintaining data integrity. You will also help the Individual Giving and Events team with creating email journeys for supporters.
What does the role involve?
- Support across the Public & High Value Fundraising team by providing excellent supporter care to a range of supporters.
- Oversee donation processing and supporter care operations.
What skills, knowledge and experience are we looking for?
- Strong organisation skills
- Demonstrable excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and experience of working in a public facing role or providing customer care
- Skilled at using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Experience of working in an administrative role
Safeguarding is Everyone’s business – Mental Health Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its beneficiaries, those who surround them, its staff, volunteers, and anyone else who comes into contact with its services and expects all trustees, staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate vetting procedures (proof of eligibility to work in the UK, proof of residency and satisfactory employment screening, including a Disclosure check and two most recent references) along with 3-year renewals of Disclosure checks. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.
How to apply
If you think your skills match and you’d like to be part of a dynamic and growing organisation, please complete and submit your application via our website. Please ensure you attach an up-to-date CV and statement of suitability answering all points of the person specification. Applications will close at 5pm on Monday 5th January 2026 and we are unable to accept late applications. Interviews are planned forWednesday 14th & Thursday 15th January.
We believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. Diversity and inclusion is a strategic priority for us as an employer and mental health charity, and we are proud to be signatories of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter and the Disability Confident Committed Scheme. Applications from under-represented sections of the community are actively encouraged.
If you have a disability, require any additional support or have any questions regarding the role, please contact us. We make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during employment. Disabled candidates who meet all the essential person specification criteria will be offered an interview. Therefore, please do ensure you tick the relevant box on the application form and clearly indicate in your application/covering letter if you consider yourself to meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 / Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
We are currently operating mostly digital recruitment (including interviews via video conferencing). We have moved to a hybrid working model of a minimum of 2 days per week in the office and the rest working from home.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Our vision is good mental health for all.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.