Education grants manager jobs

Create is seeking a dynamic, ambitious, driven, fundraiser (grants/major gifts) with strong strategic skills, an exemplary income generation track record, and a passion for the power of the creative arts. This Senior Leadership Team position reports directly to the Chief Executive and manages a small team.

Do you believe in the power of the creative arts to connect, empower and upskill isolated and vulnerable children and adults? Are you passionate about relationship building, storytelling, meeting targets and changing lives? Are you excited to use your extensive senior-level fundraising experience, knowledge and contacts to lead Create’s income generation from Trusts & Foundations (T&F), public sector and High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI)? 

This is a Senior Operational Management role within Family Action.

The post holder will provide both strategic and operational support to Family Action’s adult mental health services in Bolton and Wigan:
• Bolton Listening Lounge and Wigan Crisis Space: operating from 3pm to 10pm, 7 days a week. These services form part of the Greater Manchester VCSE Crisis Pathway, a non-clinical alternative to A&E offering support to people experiencing mental and emotional distress and suicidal ideation
• Sub-contracted to TOGS Mind, Family Action is a VCSE delivery partner for the 111 press 2 / Mental Health Urgent Triage team located within the Northwest Ambulance Service call centres.

Listening Lounge Services in Bolton and Wigan operate between the hours of 3pm and 10pm 7 days a week. There is an expectation that the post holder will work to a flexible rota to meet the needs of the service and to provide onsite management support. Typically, this will include at least 2 weekend days per month from 2pm to 10pm on site – one in Bolton and one in Wigan, and two evenings per month during the week from 2pm to 10pm. These to be arranged in collaboration with the Service Managers from Bolton Listening Lounge and Wigan Crisis Space.

The Operational Manager will also be a member of the North Operational Management team that reports to the Deputy Director of Services & Innovation.

The postholder will share Family Action’s vision and ethos – which is a vision that society understands the importance and power of family as a foundation for individual futures and connected, resilient communities. 

About Spear

Spear is a national youth employment charity. The award-winning Spear Programme was launched over 20 years ago, and is now running in 18 Spear Centres across the country, equipping unemployed 16–24-year-olds facing barriers to employment with the skills and mindset they need to secure work and thrive in work and life. 

Please see the 'Work with us’ pack for more information. 

About the role

We're looking for an ambitious, proactive and relationship-driven individual who excels at securing strategic, long-term corporate partnerships that drive the growth and impact of Spear. Joining our dynamic and growing Corporate Partnerships team, you will play a key role in developing and stewarding high-value partnerships that generate significant income and enable Spear to reach more young people facing barriers to employment.

This role is ideal for someone with strong business development and relationship management skills, who enjoys working both strategically and hands-on to generate income, develop compelling partnership opportunities and build lasting relationships with corporate supporters.

Key Information

• Salary: from £43,000 depending on experience
• Full-Time, One Year Fixed Term Contract
• Annual leave: 28 days annual leave (including Christmas gift days) plus bank holidays
• Closing Date: Friday 24th July (We interview on a rolling basis and will close the role early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• A practising Christian, passionate about Spear's values and mission, with a desire to engage and inspire corporate partners to support young people facing barriers to employment into sustainable work.
• Significant senior-level experience in corporate fundraising, corporate social responsibility, business development or strategic partnerships.
• Proven ability to raise funds, develop business partnerships or drive sales. Excellent client management using CRM tools such as Salesforce are desirable.
• An excellent communicator with strong relational skills and the confidence and ability to develop a rapport with and positively influence a variety of people from diverse backgrounds in the corporate space.
• Excellent writing skills, attention to detail and accuracy, including the ability to produce compelling proposals for a professional, corporate audience.
• Demonstration of leadership capabilities; proactive, responsive and a self-starter. Ability to manage multiple priorities to meet targets and deadlines.
• Strong numerical, reporting and organizational skills, including the ability to establish appropriate and effective processes and structures​.
• Line Management experience desirable but not essential.

BLCF is a leading local grantmaker, striving to be a catalyst for positive change in the community. The Foundation distributes millions of pounds locally each year and is establishing a national reputation for an innovative, community-focused and strategic approach.

BLCF is currently recruiting for an experienced Head of Grants to lead our expanding grants team and join our Senior Leadership Team to steer the future direction of the Foundation.

Applicants will need to have significant previous and relevant experience in a grants management role, and possess excellent leadership, team and programme management skills. Excellent communication and IT skills are also essential.

To apply, please submit a concise covering letter (no more than two pages) outlining your suitability for the role against the job description and a completed application form

Closing date for applications is 12noon on Monday 13th July 2026.

Steamship Shieldhall is seeking to appoint an experienced freelance Commercial Manager to build new income streams to support the ongoing operation, conservation and sustainability of one of the country's most significant historic ships.

Shieldhall is berthed year-round in Southampton and welcomes passengers and visitors on board from 110 Berth in the Western Docks. She is capable of carrying up to 220 passengers and from spring to autumn each year operates a programme of public sailings ranging from two hour trips to full day cruises. She is also open for alongside events, and is available for private charters. In addition, she can be hired for use alongside such as for training activities, meetings, functions and filming.

The Commercial Manager will be responsible for identifying and realising new opportunities for revenue generation for Steamship Shieldhall, as well as supporting Shieldhall’s experienced volunteers with maximising income from existing activities.

This commission is an important element of the “Steamship Shieldhall: towards 2055, the next 10 years” project which is supported by a Development Phase grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.  The appointment is intended to cover both the Development Phase and the first two years of the Delivery Phase of our  project but will include a break-clause between the two phases. The Delivery Phase contract is contingent on a successful Delivery Phase grant application to the Heritage Fund

The successful candidate will have the right to set their own hours of work and will determine in agreement with the Shieldhall charity how best to undertake the work. This commision could be provided through self-employed individual, partnership or limited company.

Freelands Foundation is looking for a HR Manager to deliver and oversee Freelands Foundation’s people strategy to enable the Foundation to achieve its ambitious strategic objectives. This role will play a pivotal part in supporting the scaling of the Foundation over the next few years, including a major capital project for our Errol Street building, a significant expansion of key programmes, and reaching new audiences for our work.

As the HR Manager, the role will deliver and oversee people management practices and policies covering the whole employee journey, ensuring that HR practices align with Freelands Foundation’s values and enable the organisation to scale with our ambitions. This opportunity is perfect for an HR generalist who is keen to directly deliver and support best practice HR at process, policy and strategic levels.

We are looking for someone who has substantial experience of supporting employees and senior managers in effective people management processes within a small to medium-sized organisation, excellent interpersonal communication and influencing skills, and strong support for our mission to champion art education.

Grants Officer LEF

Location: London (hybrid: 2 days in office, remainder flexible)
Salary: £33,728 FTE
Contract: Full-time, permanent (4 days considered)

Charity People is delighted to be partnering with LEF, a social justice foundation that is committed to strengthening the power of communities to use and shape the law.

This is a brilliant opportunity to join a thoughtful and ambitious organisation at an exciting point in its journey, they are early in a new five-year strategy focused on the role of law in achieving social justice across the UK.

The organisation works to support communities tackling the root causes of injustice, funding organisations that connect legal frameworks with real-world change.

If you're passionate about social justice, relationships-led grant making, and learning alongside the organisations you fund, this could be a great next step.

About the role

As Grants Officer, you'll play a key role in delivering a collaborative and inclusive grant-making approach, supporting work that brings the law closer to communities.

You'll be part of a small, supportive team and involved across the full grant lifecycle from early conversations with applicants through to assessment, decision-making and ongoing grant management.

This is a role with real scope to contribute ideas, shape practice, and deepen how the organisation works with its partners.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting applicants and helping develop a strong pipeline of grant applications
• Assessing proposals for funding including reviewing financial and other organisational information
• Building trusted, thoughtful relationships with funded partners
• Managing a portfolio of grants and supporting partners over time
• Contributing to learning, reflection and continuous improvement across the grants team
• Working collaboratively with colleagues to strengthen processes and practice

You'll also have the opportunity to contribute to wider conversations about social justice, funding practice, and the external environment.

About you

They are looking for someone who brings both practical experience and a strong alignment with the organisation's mission and values.

You might already be working in grants, or you may be looking to bring your experience from the charity or social sector into a grant making role.

You'll likely bring:

• Experience building and managing relationships with a range of stakeholders
• Experience working or volunteering in the charity or social sector
• Experience of managing grants, partnerships or programmes, or equivalent relationships
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to engage sensitively with diverse stakeholders
• Clear and confident communication skills (written and verbal)
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• A collaborative, reflective approach to your work

An understanding of the UK social justice landscape or lived experience connected to the organisation's mission, would be valuable, but is not essential.

If you don't tick every box, we'd still encourage you to apply.

A values-led and reflective funder

LEF is committed to actively addressing power imbalances in grant making and centring the voices of communities most affected by injustice.

Its work is guided by a strong focus on Power, Culture and Inclusion, recognising both the opportunities and risks within legal systems, and the importance of funding being accountable to those it exists to serve.

This is a team that takes learning seriously and is open about evolving its approach.

Why this role?

This is a chance to:

• Work closely with organisations driving real social change
• Be part of a funder actively rethinking power and practice
• Contribute to a collaborative and learning-oriented team
• Develop your career in values-led grant making

Equity, inclusion and accessibility

The organisation is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and working environment.

• Flexible working is supported (minimum 4 days per week considered)
• Hybrid working with a central London base
• Commitment to workplace adjustments and accessibility
• Guaranteed interviews for disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria

People with lived experience of social welfare legal issues are currently underrepresented in the organisation, and applications from candidates bringing this perspective are particularly welcomed.

Interested?

If you think this role may be for you and you would like more information or an informal conversation, please contact Abi Blank at Charity People,

The application process and what it involves can be found on PAGE 11 of the Job Pack, please send CV and Qualifying Questions document to and will consist of brief written responses (rather than a traditional academic CV-heavy process), designed to help you demonstrate your experience in a more accessible and relevant way.

Deadline and Important Dates

Tuesday 14^th July - Application deadline 9 am
Friday 17^th July - Client shortlisting completed and applicants informed of interview
Wednesday 22^nd July and Thursday 23^rd July - Online Interviews
Monday 27^th July and Tuesday 28^th July- Face to Face Interviews on site

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Grants Programme Officer

Maudsley Charity
Salary: £35,000
Location: Hybrid - South London (Denmark Hill) & home working
Contract: Full-time (37.5 hours)
Start date: September 2026

About the role
Charity People are delighted to be partnering with Maudsley Charity to recruit a Grants Programme Officer to join their growing Programmes team, supporting the Living Well with Psychosis programme.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to build or deepen their experience in grant-making, programme delivery, and social impact. You'll play a central role in ensuring funding is distributed effectively, equitably, and with real impact-supporting work that improves mental health outcomes across south London and beyond.

Working closely with Programme Leads, you'll help manage grant portfolios, support funding processes from application through to monitoring, and contribute to learning and impact across the organisation.

About the organisation
Maudsley Charity is a grant-making foundation dedicated to improving mental health care. It works with NHS partners, King's College London, and community organisations to fund innovative, evidence-based solutions.

The charity is driven by a clear mission: ensuring that everyone experiencing mental illness can access the care that's right for them, with a strong focus on equity, lived experience, and tackling inequalities in mental health outcomes.

Key responsibilities
Grant-making & programme delivery

• Support end-to-end grant processes, including application review, due diligence and decision-making
• Manage and monitor a portfolio of grants, maintaining strong relationships with funded organisations
• Act as a key point of contact for applicants and grant holders
• Contribute to assessment panels, scoring bids and supporting funding decisions

Project & programme support

• Provide project management and administrative support to Programme Leads
• Help plan timelines, track progress, and coordinate programme activity
• Support delivery of events, workshops and engagement activity

Learning & impact

• Gather insights, data and learning from funded partners
• Support the charity's approach to monitoring, evaluation and impact
• Share learning internally and contribute to continuous improvement

Systems & collaboration

• Maintain accurate records within the grants management system
• Work closely with colleagues across Finance, Communications and Fundraising
• Contribute ideas to improve processes and strengthen inclusive grant-making practices

About you
We're looking for someone who is curious, organised and motivated by social impact.

You might already have experience in grant-making, or have gained relevant exposure through funded projects, the charity sector, or programme delivery work.

You'll bring:

• Strong organisational and project management skills
• Excellent communication and relationship-building ability
• Attention to detail and confidence working with data and systems
• Experience contributing to projects that deliver social impact
• An understanding of (or interest in) grant-making and funding processes

You'll also be someone who enjoys collaborating across teams, is keen to learn, and is motivated by improving mental health outcomes and tackling inequality.

Why apply?

This is a brilliant opportunity to join a values-led, collaborative and inclusive organisation, where you'll be supported to learn, grow and shape your career in grant-making.

Benefits include:

• Hybrid working (typically 2-3 days in the office)
• 25 days annual leave + additional service days + Christmas closure
• Pension contribution up to 6%
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Learning and development opportunities
• Employee wellbeing support and EAP
• A welcoming, inclusive working culture focused on equity and impact

Additional information

• Reporting to: Programme Lead - Living Well with Psychosis
• No line management responsibility
• Based at the Ortus building, close to Denmark Hill station

How to apply
Maudsley Charity is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourages applications from underrepresented backgrounds.

Applications are managed via Charity People and involve a structured, anonymised process focusing on your experience and potential. Please contact Abi for additional information or to arrange an informal discussion.

You must download the Qualifying Questions document and complete this, then sending in your CV and this document as 2 separate documents to Abi. 
You can download all the documentation when you click on 'Apply Now' button. 

Closing date: Wednesday 22nd July at 9am
Interviews (in person): 6th August or 10th August

If this sounds like something you would like to explore but you are unsure if the role is right for you, please feel free to email Abi. 
There is also an optional ‘Ask Us Anything’ Webinar via Zoom on Monday 13th July at 12.30–1.30pm where the Maudsley staff will answer questions.
Please submit questions in advance to Abi before 9am, on Friday 10th July 2026 to ensure all of your queries are answered.
Any further questions can be submitted via the Q&A function during the Webinar.

Interested?
If you're looking for a role where you can support meaningful change in mental health care while developing your career in grant-making, we'd love to hear from you.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Action for Refugees in Lewisham is a thriving, dynamic community charity supporting asylum seekers, refugees and migrants across South East London. This is an exciting new role to the organisation forming a senior management team alongside the Executive Director, Casework Manager and Education and Finance Manager. This key senior position combines line management of central staff, high level fundraising, grants monitoring and compliance, development of enhanced member co-production, oversight of operational systems and management of pilot projects emerging from AFRIL’s 2027-30 strategy.

Job Purpose:

• To manage and coordinate the operations of the organisation, overseeing high level day to day operations including IT and systems, GDPR, Health and Safety, volunteer management, operational policies and procedures.

• To provide leadership and line management to the Monitoring and Operations Officer, Experts by Experience Coordinator and Community Activities Coordinator. With possible additional line of other project staff as organisational capacity requires.

• Lead the enhancement of processes and systems which support AFRIL’s frontline systems to work effectively and holistically together, providing capacity and support to project managers and leads.

• Lead the development and delivery of AFRIL’s co-production work, supporting the Experts by Experience Coordinator to amplify members' voices at all levels of the organisation.

• Supporting the Director in delivering the organisation's fundraising strategy. Writing a range of funding applications, holding key funder relationships and developing new funding relationships, including the establishment of enhanced individual, community and corporate fundraising relationships.

• Leading on the management and oversight of the grants compliance and reporting cycles, producing monitoring reports for funders with the support of the Operations and Monitoring Officer. Overseeing and developing evaluations and impact measurement systems alongside the Director.

• Assist the Director with the implementation of AFRIL’s strategy, taking a leading role in the delivery of new projects and areas of work to advance the mission and vision of the organisation.

• Supporting the Director with the development and implementation of a communications strategy, enhancing awareness of the organisation's work and impact.

• To represent AFRIL at a range of stakeholder meetings, and develop and manage partnerships to benefit AFRIL’s service users.

• To work collaboratively and dynamically in a small team, following AFRIL policies and reflecting AFRIL’s values.

First Give

First Give is a national charity that partners with secondary schools to inspire and equip young people with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to drive change. Through our structured programmes, students explore social issues, connect with charities, and take tangible steps to improve their community.

Empowering and equipping young people to meaningfully contribute to their community is a first step to addressing many of the challenges we face at this time of social disconnection and division. Our vision is of a more generous society where everyone is willing and able to give their time, money and skills to the causes they care about.

Trusts and Foundations Manager

We are seeking a dynamic, strategic and relationship-driven Trusts and Foundations Manager to lead on growing and stewarding First Give’s portfolio of high-value funders. This role will focus on securing income from Trusts and Foundations from first engagement to account management, delivery and reporting. 

First Give is a small charity, with a growing fundraising team and big ambitions. You will therefore be someone who thrives in a start-up environment, willing to try new things. We are looking for an exceptional writer, someone who can translate the impact of our work into proposals that inspire and motivate the reader to give.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping First Give’s income growth, working closely with our Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships and the Director to manage relationships with existing donors, and leading on the development of high value bids to expand our work. This role will also support key engagement activities, including hosting donors at student-led Final events and facilitating employee volunteering at schools.

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident communicator and grant fundraiser with experience managing and deepening relationships with high value trusts and foundations gifts – someone who thrives on storytelling and social impact. We currently have a strong pipeline of trusts and foundations and are looking for someone eager to write applications and secure funding.

Contract: Full-time, 35 hours per week; core hours - 10am till 4pm

Location: We have office space at the Pears Hub in West Hampstead, where some people come in one or two times a week, we're very flexible. 

Application process:

- Application form

- Task and interview (interviews will be conducted on MS Teams)

Please also fill out this equality & diversity monitoring form (this will not be linked to your application).

1. Application closes: 20th July 9am

2. Interviews: 23rd and 24th July

3. Start date: 1st September

The students we work with come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and so do we. We want to ensure that we are recruiting, retaining and promoting a diverse mix of colleagues. We want to foster a diverse and inclusive culture, to empower our teams to achieve our vision drawing on the broadest possible range of experiences. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates from minoritised groups currently underrepresented on our executive team, particularly black and minority ethnic and disabled candidates.

Please get in touch with Carmen O’Loughlin if you would like to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process or have any queries about the role.

Hitchin Youth Trust is a small charity with a big heart. We support local young people (up to the age of 26) through the award of individual grants and bursaries, and we provide grants to local charities and organisations carrying out vital work with young people across our community.

We are also home to the Hitchin Charity Youth Hub at our base on Walsworth Road in Hitchin — a shared space where several local youth charities work side by side, because we know that collaboration makes everyone stronger.

In addition, we provide a meeting space at the Charity Hub.  It is offered free of charge to local youth groups and charities, to help them to provide support and a wide range of other opportunities for the young people in our community.

As Youth Trust Manager — our sole employee — you’ll work closely with an engaged and forward-thinking Board of Trustees. The role is fabulously varied – one day you might be attending an investment meeting in London; the next, liaising sensitively with an individual or organisation enquiring about grant support; the next, checking toilet roll supplies and making sure the building is running smoothly. 

Your work will span six key areas:

• Financial management — keeping our accounts accurate, reconciling income and expenditure, liaising with our investment broker and auditors, and producing monthly reports using Sage.

• Grant applications — receiving and processing applications, supporting applicants, preparing summaries for Trustees, and managing award payments.

• Representing the Trust — networking with local and national organisations, keeping our website and social media fresh, and organising events.

• Trustee clerking — preparing agendas and minutes, managing Charity Commission and Companies House returns, and supporting the annual audit.

• Buildings & facilities — managing the Charity Hub, overseeing bookings, maintenance and H&S compliance, and being the go-to person for building users and contractors.

• General administration — first point of contact for the Trust, maintaining our annual calendar, and keeping us compliant with legislation and best practice (including GDPR).

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who has a genuine passion for supporting young people in our community.  In addition, you will need to offer:

· A great eye for detail.

· Be organised, proactive and self-motivated.

· Enjoy the variety a day will bring you, manipulating a spreadsheet, preparing Board papers, following up grant enquiries or representing the Trust at a local event.

· Have a warm manner.  Be equally comfortable liaising charity directors, educational professionals and individual parents who may be desperately reaching out to the charity for urgent support.

We are seeking an organised and detail-oriented Philanthropy Grants Officer to support the development and management of the College’s extensive Research, Grants and Fellowships portfolio. 

Reporting to the Head of Development, you will play a central role in administering and developing funding opportunities that support surgical, dental and educational research and professional development. Working closely with colleagues across the College, Committee members, funders, researchers and external partners, you will oversee the full lifecycle of RCSEd’s grants programme, from application and assessment processes through to award management, reporting and stewardship. 

This is a varied role offering the opportunity to work across research funding, governance, financial monitoring and stakeholder engagement, while helping to promote the impact of College-funded projects and opportunities. The role also contributes to the development of new funding initiatives and partnerships that enhance the support available to College Fellows and Members. 

The role is based in Edinburgh with flexibility for hybrid working. Occasional travel and out-of-hours working may be required. 

Experience/Qualifications/Key Skills 

You will be educated to degree level or possess equivalent professional experience and have experience supporting grants, funding or award programmes, including administration, financial monitoring and stakeholder engagement. 

You will have excellent organisational skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong analytical and numerical skills are essential, together with the ability to work confidently with financial information and spreadsheets. 

You will be an effective communicator, capable of building positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and providing clear advice and guidance on funding opportunities and processes. 

Experience within higher education, charity, medical research or related environments would be advantageous. 

This role may particularly appeal to individuals with experience in grants, funding, awards, fellowships or programme administration who are looking to develop their career within a mission-driven organisation supporting research, education and professional development. 

Programme Manager
£60,000–£72,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Join The Borrow Foundation and help improve children's oral health worldwide. We are seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead our international grant-making programmes, build strategic partnerships and work with organisations including the World Health Organization to reduce oral health inequalities.

ROLE

The Programme Manager will play a key, hands-on operational role in the development, delivery, and management of the Foundation’s grant-making portfolio, including collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), advocacy initiatives, and support for oral health meetings and events. Working closely with the Director of Finance and Operations (DFO), trustees, grant applicants, research partners, and funded organisations, the postholder will lead the coordination and management of the grant programmes.

In addition to oversing grant programme delivery, the role will play a key part in promoting the Foundation’s research activities, funding opportunities, partnerships, and impact across the oral health, research, charitable, and wider stakeholder communities. The postholder will help strengthen the Foundation’s profile and visibility, support stakeholder engagement, and develop strategic relationships that enhance the reach and impact of the Foundation’s work. The role may require occasional national and international travel.

Reporting lines

The Programme Manager will report to the Director of Finance and Operations and will have one direct report.

Key responsibilities

Grant programme management

• Lead the operational management and delivery of the Foundation’s grant programmes and other funding activities, supporting global and regional initiatives.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with funded organisations, researchers, applicants, academic institutions, charities, and external stakeholders including the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Manage the grant programme timelines, processes, and workflows to ensure effective and timely delivery.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of grant-making processes, policies, and systems.
• Prepare application summaries, briefing papers, and assessment documentation for Board and panel review.
• Liaise closely with the DFO, trustees, reviewers, and assessment panels to facilitate fair and robust grant assessment and decision-making processes.
• Communicate funding decisions and feedback to applicants professionally and sensitively.
• Support the DFO and trustees in strategic planning activities relating to the grant programme.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen programme impact, efficiency, and stakeholder engagement.
• Monitor funded projects and evaluate programme outcomes and impact against strategic objectives.

Grant promotion, communications and stakeholder engagement

• Lead the development and delivery of communication and stakeholder engagement strategies, including website content, social media, impact reports, promotional materials, and stakeholder communications.
• Represent the Foundation at conferences, meetings, workshops, and sector events, delivering presentations and speaking on matters relating to the Foundation’s work where appropriate.

Governance and Board support

• Support Board and committee processes, including agenda planning, report preparation, governance documentation, and presenting key programme updates where required.
• Contribute to drafting meeting minutes and maintaining accurate records relating to governance, programme, and grant-making activities.  

Enquiries and organisational support

• Manage programme-related enquiries and support the effective day-to-day operation of the Foundation.

Person specification

Essential skills and experience

• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience in public health, health sciences, charity management, research administration, or a related field.
• Knowledge of the oral health or public health field
• Understanding of grant-making and research funding environments, including academic partnerships and peer review processes.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including researchers, applicants, trustees, and partner organisations.
• Organisational and programme management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a small team environment, exercising sound judgement.
• Good IT and digital communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience supporting Boards, committees, or governance structures.
• Sound understanding of research funding processes, peer review, or grant assessment methodologies.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating funded programmes and demonstrating impact.
• Postgraduate qualification in public health, global health or a related discipline.

0.5 FTE – 18.75 hours per week (flexible working)
Salary: £30,000-£32,000 FTE depending on experience
Location: Hybrid working with one regular day or half-day per week in Abingdon/Oxfordshire, alongside home working and occasional external meetings

About Quest for Learning

Quest for Learning is an education charity working to close the gap for primary school children in Oxfordshire who are falling behind due to disadvantage.

We work closely with schools to deliver targeted, evidence-led literacy and numeracy programmes that help children build the skills, confidence and foundations they need to thrive. Many of the children we support are growing up in poverty, facing barriers linked to low family literacy, unmet additional needs, unstable home circumstances, or limited access to wider opportunities.

Our programmes are delivered by experienced professional tutors and are built around structured interventions, strong school partnerships and measurable outcomes. On average, pupils supported through our small-group tutoring make around 13 months of progress in just 10 hours of support.

Quest for Learning is entering an important new stage of development. Following a period of organisational growth and strategic transition, we are investing in building a more sustainable and ambitious fundraising function that can deepen our impact and reach more children across Oxfordshire.

This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping that journey.

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to join a small but ambitious charity at a genuinely exciting stage of development.

You’ll have:

• Real ownership and autonomy within your role
• The opportunity to help shape and build a growing fundraising function
• Close working relationships with the CEO and leadership team
• Flexibility and hybrid working arrangements
• The chance to make a direct and measurable difference to children facing disadvantage
• Opportunities for progression as the organisation grows

We are intentionally investing in fundraising and organisational growth, and this role offers the opportunity to help shape a developing fundraising function within an ambitious, evidence-led charity with strong foundations and significant future potential.

We are a collaborative, supportive and purpose-driven team that values initiative, professionalism, creativity and compassion.

Role purpose

We are seeking a proactive, highly organised and motivated fundraiser to lead and grow our trusts and grants fundraising activity.

This role will focus primarily on identifying funding opportunities, developing compelling applications, managing funder relationships and building a strong pipeline of income to support Quest for Learning’s future growth.

The successful candidate will play a key role in helping us develop a more strategic and sustainable fundraising approach. We are looking for someone who can combine strong written communication and attention to detail with initiative, pace and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

This role would suit someone with existing trusts fundraising experience, or someone with highly transferable skills who can learn quickly and thrive in a fast-moving environment.

You will work closely with the CEO, programme staff and trustees, with access to strong impact data, established programmes and a compelling case for support.

Alongside this role, Quest for Learning is also exploring the development of an additional partnerships-focused fundraising role. We are open-minded about how responsibilities are ultimately structured and welcome applications from candidates with a range of backgrounds, experiences and strengths.

Key responsibilities

Trusts and foundations fundraising

• Research and identify prospective trusts, foundations and grant opportunities
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of funding prospects
• Develop and submit high-quality, tailored funding applications
• Manage multiple applications and deadlines simultaneously
• Produce timely and well-written monitoring reports and evaluations
• Work closely with programme staff to gather impact data, case studies and delivery information
• Maintain accurate records of applications, deadlines and funder communications within Beacon CRM
• Monitor fundraising performance and contribute to pipeline tracking and forecasting
• Support the development of longer-term funding strategies and priorities

Relationship management and stewardship

• Build positive and professional relationships with funders and supporters
• Arrange and attend occasional meetings with funders and partners where appropriate
• Ensure strong stewardship and communication throughout the funding lifecycle
• Support the CEO in managing strategic funding relationships

Organisational Contribution

• Contribute to the ongoing development of Quest for Learning’s fundraising function and systems
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation
• Represent Quest for Learning professionally and passionately to external audiences
• Contribute ideas and insight to support organisational growth and sustainability

Person specification

We recognise that strong fundraisers do not always come from traditional charity fundraising backgrounds. If you have transferable skills and experience in areas such as bid writing, partnerships, relationship management, education, sales, communications, account management or business development - and are excited by our mission - we would strongly encourage you to apply.

Essential

• Excellent written communication skills with strong attention to detail
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Ability to work independently and proactively
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Confidence using databases, spreadsheets and digital systems
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively
• Commitment to the mission and values of Quest for Learning
• Experience of writing successful funding applications, bids, proposals or other persuasive written content

Desirable

• Experience in trusts and foundations fundraising within the charity sector
• Experience using Beacon CRM or similar fundraising databases
• Understanding of monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting
• Experience within education, children’s services or related sectors
• Knowledge of the Oxfordshire funding landscape
• Experience working within a small charity or growing organisation

What success looks like in this role

Successful performance in this role is likely to include:

• Building and maintaining a strong and active funding pipeline
• Producing a consistent volume of high-quality applications and reports
• Securing significant grant income for the charity
• Developing strong funder relationships and stewardship practices
• Contributing to the growth and professionalisation of Quest for Learning’s fundraising function
• Helping position Quest for Learning for sustainable long-term growth

As Quest for Learning grows, we expect this role to develop too, with opportunities to shape strategy and take on increasing responsibility over time.

Who thrives at Quest for Learning?

People who tend to thrive at Quest for Learning are:

• proactive and solutions-focused
• motivated by meaningful impact
• comfortable working independently while collaborating closely with others
• excited by helping build and improve systems and processes
• adaptable, thoughtful and motivated to grow professionally alongside the organisation

Working arrangements

• 0.5 FTE with flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid role combining home working with one regular day or half-day per week in Abingdon/Oxfordshire
• Occasional travel across Oxfordshire for meetings and events
• Flexible working patterns can be discussed

Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working
• Pension contribution
• TOIL policy
• Supportive and collaborative working culture
• Professional development opportunities
• Opportunity to help shape a growing fundraising function within an ambitious charity

Application process

To apply, please submit:

• A CV
• A short statement explaining your interest in the role and how your experience meets the person specification

We encourage applications from candidates with both traditional and non-traditional fundraising backgrounds.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Chris Higgins, CEO

Closing date: midday, Tuesday 30 June
Interviews: week commencing 6 or 13 July