Event fundraiser jobs in Edinburgh

Following a restructure of the school’s development department, St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh, is looking to appoint a self-motivated and dynamic fundraiser to help secure and sustain significant grants from trusts and foundations.

The postholder will develop high quality applications, bids and reports for a diverse range of audiences.
The School is keen to appoint someone with excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as exceptional relationship-management skills, who will work to develop and deliver a strategy to grow sustainable income from grants and foundations over time.

The successful candidate will work closely with the School Bursar, Individual Giving Manager, Marketing & Communications Manager and Database Assistant, as part of the School's development team.

This is a part-time post of 21 hours/3 days per week, working over the whole year.

Role Purpose:

To develop and manage a programme of trust, foundation and statutory fundraising that delivers sustainable income for St Mary's Music School.  The Trusts and Foundations Manager will identify funding opportunities, prepare compelling applications and reports, and build strong relationships with funders to support the School's strategic priorities.

Specific duties will include:

Fundraising

• Contributing to the overall Fundraising Strategy;
• Developing and implementing plans to meet income targets;
• Working with the development team on fundraising messaging, including a consistent and compelling narrative;
• Establishing strong relationships with staff, the public, stakeholders, supporters, funders and the media.

Research, Bids and Grant Applications

• Managing and researching a pipeline of prospective trust, foundation and statutory funders;
• Developing relationships with existing and prospective funders, attending fundraising events as required;
• Preparation of cases for support including the development of restricted funding proposals for projects and bursaries;
• Creation of high quality grant and tender applications for funding and submission of funding reports.

Reporting, Fundraising Database & Compliance

• Ensuring that all activity undertaken is accurately recorded and submitted reports as required;
• Ensuring the maintenance of up to date, accurate records of trust and foundation contacts;
• Building relationships with representatives from trusts and foundations;
• Capturing and recording information on individuals’ relationships with relevant organisations.

Social Media and Marketing Executive
Responsible to: Digital Marketing Manager
Contract Type: Permanent, full time
Salary: C£27,000 a year, dependent on experience
Location: Edinburgh / Hybrid

About Social Bite:
Social Bite is a charity and social enterprise with a vision of a society where no one should have to be homeless. For over a decade, we’ve brought people, partners and communities together to challenge the status quo and pioneer solutions that create lasting change.

From supporting people to find a safe place to call home, to empowering people into employment, to providing free, fresh food to people experiencing homelessness or food poverty, our work is rooted in dignity, kindness and impact. Across flagship campaigns, fundraising events and community led action, everything we do reflects our values of kindness, collaboration, dignity and impact, and our belief that lasting change is possible when people come together with purpose.

We’re proud of our warm, inclusive and supportive culture, where people feel trusted, valued and encouraged to bring their whole selves to work, with a strong focus on wellbeing, balance and collaboration.

The role:

We are seeking a Social Media and Marketing Executive to join our team and support our mission to end homelessness. This role involves developing and executing campaigns that engage and inspire action. The successful candidate will be passionate about content creation and possess the skills to enhance our brand visibility and fundraising efforts.

What you’ll be doing:

Working as part of our dynamic Fundraising and Marketing team, you’ll work closely with the Head of Marketing and Communications, the Senior Communications Manager and the Digital Marketing Manager to build the Social Bite brand. Your skills and enthusiasm will help drive footfall to our social enterprise coffee shops, raise awareness around homelessness, and amplify our fundraising initiatives. No two days are the same in this fast-paced role that covers the whole marketing mix.

Powerful storytelling: we need to create content that shines a spotlight on our key impact projects, like our Jobs First employment programme and our free food services. You’ll play an integral role in increasing awareness and engagement with our two new Social Bite Villages.

Maximise our digital presence: grow our online following through engaging social media content (especially videos), digital advertising, newsletters, and a website redevelopment project.

Large-scale campaigns: support the marketing and communications activities surrounding fundraising initiatives like our UK-wide Festival of Kindness Christmas campaign which aims to deliver 300,000 gifts, meals and essential items to people who are vulnerable and experiencing homelessness through the winter. This includes a large-scale online fundraising campaign across multiple channels. Offline, you’ll gather content at sites like our Trees of Kindness across Scotland, Birmingham and London, where supporters can bring gifts and make donations.

Champion our social enterprise: promote our coffee shops and commercial initiatives in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and London by working closely with our operational management colleagues to brainstorm innovative ideas, craft point-of-sale, design promotional materials, and increase in-store brand impact.

Event management: plan and deliver events big and small, from producing assets for charity stalls at corporate fairs, to marketing our Impact Conferences and black-tie fundraising dinners.

Why join us?

Impact: your work will empower people experiencing homelessness to transform their own lives through our key pillars of providing homes, jobs, food and support.

Culture: you’llbe part of a supportive and dynamic team in an entrepreneurial organisation that values your unique take on how to achieve our goals.

Growth: opportunities to work on exciting projects and learn, grow, and shine in a role that’s as rewarding as it is challenging.

Perks: competitive salary, flexible working hours, and benefits including:

o Generous annual leave entitlement (plus public holidays)

o Hybrid and flexible working

o Pension scheme

o Free food at Social Bite Coffee Shops

o Reward Hub (discounted gym, restaurants, shop partnerships)

o Health benefits cash plan

o GP24 access

o Death in Service

o Employee Assistance Programme

o Access to in-house counselling

o Monthly ‘Values Superstars’ rewards, recognising commitment to embodying Social Bite’s values

o A welcoming, inclusive and dog friendly office

Application process: please send a CV and cover message. Your cover message should give us a sense of who you and help us understand why you’re a good fit for this role. It could be a letter (up to 500 words), a video or voice note (up to four minutes), a presentation or infographic (of comparable length). Please also include up to three links to pieces of Social Media content that you have created.

Interview process:
Interview questions will be sent to you in advance to allow you to prepare.

Ahead of the second-round interview we’ll also ask short-listed candidates to complete an exercise, like a brief presentation or creating a short piece of content, for us to discuss on the day.

1. First round interview with Head of Marketing and Communications and Senior Marketing Manager.
2. Second round interview with Head of Marketing and Communications, Senior Communications Manager and Director of Philanthropy and Marketing.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Cause4’s Development Team as a Development Manager, supporting a varied portfolio of charities and social purpose organisations with fundraising, strategy and organisational development.

This opportunity provides a fantastic opportunity for someone to work as part of a passionate and hard working team to hone their consultancy skills to fast track into more senior positions within the organisation.

The role offers the chance to work across multiple sectors including arts, heritage, education, health, sport and community organisations, helping clients to develop fundraising strategies, secure funding and build sustainable income streams. Alongside client work, you will play an active role within the wider Cause4 Development Team, contributing to research, organisational planning, training delivery and business development activity.

This position offers broad exposure across a wide range of organisations, fundraising disciplines and consultancy projects, making it an excellent opportunity for someone looking to accelerate their career within the charity or consultancy sectors.

THE OPPORTUNITY WHO THIS ROLE MAY SUIT

• This role could particularly suit: Someone looking to step into their first consultancy or Development Manager role.
• A fundraiser wanting broader experience across multiple organisations and income streams. Someone currently working in the charity, arts, education or cultural sectors looking to transition into consultancy.
• An ambitious individual seeking a fast-paced role with clear progression and development opportunities.
• An existing manager looking to build their consultancy skills to fast track into more senior positions in the sector.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising & Client Support

• Supporting a portfolio of clients with fundraising strategy development and delivery.
• Writing compelling funding applications, Cases for Support and donor-facing materials.
• Supporting funding approaches to Trusts & Foundations, statutory funders, corporates and individual donors.
• Conducting research into prospective funders, partners and opportunities.
• Supporting the development and delivery of fundraising events and engagement activities. Building positive relationships with clients, funders and wider stakeholders.
• Supporting the delivery of fundraising training and wider Cause4 programmes.

Research & Consultancy

• Producing high-quality research, reports and briefing papers.
• Supporting the development of programme ideas, evaluation frameworks and measurable outcomes.
• Contributing strategic thinking to fundraising campaigns and organisational development projects.
• Supporting wider consultancy and innovation work across the organisation.

Team & Organisational Development

• Contributing to Cause4’s business development and growth activity.
• Sharing knowledge, expertise and fundraising insight across the team.
• Supporting the wider strategic and operational needs of the organisation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Cause4 is a fast-paced consultancy environment offering significant opportunities for learning and career development.

Skills & Experience

We are particularly interested in candidates who are ambitious, adaptable and keen to grow within a consultancy environment. You may already have experience in fundraising, charity operations, programme delivery, arts administration, partnerships, research or strategy work.

We are looking for:

• Strong written communication skills and the ability to produce compelling, engaging and high-quality written material.
• Strong research and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret and synthesise large and complex amounts of information and data from a range of sources.
• Experience within a charity, fundraising, arts, education or consultancy environment.
• An interest in fundraising, philanthropy and organisational development.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Confidence working with a range of stakeholders and building professional relationships.
• Strategic thinking, creative and problem-solving skills. Strong organisational and coordination skills.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience using online platforms such as Zoom or Teams.
• Alignment with our company values.

Experience across fundraising or income generation is desirable, but we are equally interested in candidates with strong transferable skills and the ambition to develop into a client-facing consultancy role.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your CV together with either: a Cover Letter (maximum two pages), or a Cover Video (maximum three minutes) to Ben Wilson, Director of Development and Enterprise.

The deadline for applying is 5pm on Tuesday 1 September 2026.

Please also include a completed Equal Opportunities Form downloadable from the Cause4 website.

For nearly 20 years, Lively Minds has been proving that parents are the sleeping giants of early childhood development. With strong evidence and a national scale proof point in Ghana, we have shown that parent powered approaches delivered through government systems can transform children's lives at scale.

We are now at a pivotal moment. We have the evidence, the model and the momentum, and we need the funding, profile and influence to match our ambition. This is a rare opportunity to lead income generation and external voice for an award winning NGO entering an exciting new phase of growth. You will lead our fundraising strategy and direct engagement with Funders ensuring that we maximise all funding opportunities as we continue our strategic evolution. You will also shape a compelling external narrative that will help position Lively Minds as the definitive partner for governments strengthening their early childhood development systems.

If you are an exceptional fundraiser and communicator who is equally comfortable in a strategic conversation and writing a winning proposal, we would love to hear from you.

Read the full advert and apply below. Closing date: 3rd September 2026.

About Lively Minds

Lively Minds is an award-winning NGO with nearly 20 years of experience designing, testing and scaling early childhood development (ECD) solutions across the Global South. Our core idea is simple but radical: parents are the sleeping giants of ECD. Governments and donors have long overlooked parents, assuming that poverty and low literacy make them unable or unwilling to support their childrenʼs development. We have spent two decades proving otherwise. With RCT-backed evidence and a national-scale proof point in Ghana, we have demonstrated that parent-powered approaches, delivered through government systems, can achieve meaningful child development outcomes at scale.

Our 2026–2028 strategy marks a pivotal shift. Having demonstrated what is possible, we are now helping pioneer an innovative model of country-led sustainable scale. Rather than delivering programmes ourselves, we provide lean, time-limited technical advisory support to governments to help them integrate parent-powered ECD into their own systems, budgets and institutions. We are currently working with the governments of Ghana, Uganda, Oromia state (Ethiopia) and The Gambia in 2026, growing to six or more country engagements by 2028. Our ambition is to catalyse a sector-wide shift, positioning Lively Minds as the definitive partner for governments seeking to strengthen their ECD systems.

Our scale strategy rests on three interdependent pillars: fixed-term Technical Advisory partnerships with governments; the development of a modular radio model simple and affordable enough for governments to adopt and fund independently; and an advocacy and sector influence agenda designed to make parent-powered ECD the norm globally.

Purpose of the Role

Lively Minds is at a critical inflection point. We have the evidence, the model and the momentum. We now need the funding, profile and sector influence to match our ambition. The Director of Fundraising and Communications is a priority hire, created to provide the dedicated, experienced leadership that this moment demands.

The Director will own and drive Lively Mindsʼ income generation, building new funder relationships, managing and deepening existing ones, and ensuring the organisation has the pipeline, discipline and quality of engagement to meet and exceed its fundraising targets. Working in close partnership with the Founding CEO, who retains ownership of a small number of long-standing strategic relationships, the Director will take primary responsibility for securing the funding that makes the 2026–2028 strategy deliverable, and that opens the door to greater scale beyond it. We need to raise approximately £3.4m over the next 3 years to deliver our strategy. But our ambition is to exceed that target so we can support additional governments.

Alongside fundraising, the Director will provide strategic leadership to Lively Mindsʼ communications and advocacy work, ensuring that the organisationʼs external voice is compelling and that we are building credibility in the spaces where funding decisions are made. The Director will lead and provide strategic coherence to a small but outward-facing team, including Head of Partnerships and Advocacy Lead who are active on the international stage. Lively Minds is committed to thought-leadership and active external engagement, but equally committed to ensuring that communications resource is deployed with discipline and rigour. The Director will set a clear strategic filter for where the organisation shows up, what it publishes and who it engages: prioritising focus and quality over volume, and always asking whether external activity is building the relationships and reputation that ultimately drive income and/or systems change.

Lively Minds is a dispersed, remote organisation. The Directorʼs team the Advocacy Lead, Development Manager and Communications Officer - are internationally distributed. The ability to lead, develop and maintain high standards across a dispersed team is essential. The role requires regular travel to international conferences and events.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Income Generation

• Own and deliver the multi-year fundraising strategy with clear priorities, targets, income streams and a disciplined pipeline to support the 2026–2028 strategy and future scale
• Steward existing funder relationships, turning strong partnerships into long-term supporters, advocates and connectors to new funding opportunities.
• Lead the shift towards Big Bet and catalytic funding, personally cultivating and negotiating high-value, multi-year partnerships and positioning Lively Minds for system-level scale
• Maintain a high standard of fundraising quality, pipeline management and forecasting, while coaching the team to produce compelling, sophisticated fundraising materials
•  Build and continuously strengthen a diverse funding pipeline, identifying emerging opportunities, new funding markets and strategic partnerships that reduce concentration risk and support long-term financial sustainability

Communications, Brand & Advocacy

• Own and deliver Lively Mindsʼ communications and marketing strategy, balancing visibility and sector influence with the need to strengthen fundraising and systems-change objectives
• Partner closely with the CEO to shape and steward a coherent external narrative, brand and messaging framework across all audiences and channels
• Oversee high-quality core communications and fundraising materials, including cases for support, pitch decks, website content, proposals and donor reports
• Provide strategic communications expertise to Advocacy, Partnerships and MEL, ensuring evidence and learning are translated into compelling narratives and consistent external messaging
• Lead efforts to strengthen Lively Mindsʼ profile and thought leadership in the ECD sector, identifying opportunities for strategic media, events, publications and external platforms that reinforce its positioning and influence

Organizational Leadership&TeamDevelopment

• Contribute actively to SMT and organisational strategy, bringing funder intelligence, external perspective and communications expertise to strategic decision-making.
• Work closely with Finance and MEL to align fundraising targets, forecasting, budgets and evidence, ensuring proposals are credible, accurately costed and evidence-led
• Act as the organisationʼs communications subject matter expert, providing guidance and challenge to ensure high-quality, consistent external communications
• Lead and develop the Advocacy Lead, Development Manager and Communications Officer, fostering a team culture of quality, accountability, strategic clarity and continuous improvement
• Build strong cross-organisational collaboration, ensuring teams understand how fundraising, communications, advocacy and evidence work together to advance Lively Mindsʼ strategic priorities

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Skills

• 10+ years of significant senior-level fundraising experience within international development, education, philanthropy or a comparable sector
• Proven track record of securing major grants from foundations, institutional donors and high-net-worth individuals, alongside demonstrated experience securing or meaningfully progressing large-scale, catalytic funding from Big Bet philanthropy programmes such as the Audacious Project, Skoll Foundation or comparable funders. A strong understanding of what these funders look for and how to position an organisation compellingly within their processes is essential
• Exceptional fundraising writing skills, with the ability to personally develop compelling cases for support, funding proposals, award applications and pitch decks tailored to sophisticated impact funders. This is a hands-on role requiring both strong writing capability and the ability to coach others to consistently produce high-quality fundraising content
• Experienced in developing and owning a marketing and communications strategy, with a strong understanding of how to balance organisational visibility, thought leadership and sector influence with coherence, strategic focus and income generation
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with a Founding CEO to shape and steward the organisationʼs external narrative and brand. Comfortable working in a founder-led environment, providing expertise and constructive challenge while ensuring the organisation maintains a clear, consistent and coherent external voice

Desirable Experience

• Experienced fundraising for a technical advisory, systems change or government-facing organisation
• Knowledge of the ECD, education or early childhood sector and its funding landscape
• Familiarity with the Big Bang Philanthropy network or equivalent impact-focused funder communities
• Experience working alongside advocacy and partnerships teams, providing communications expertise and strategic coherence to their external activity
• Familiarity with the funding landscape for organisations operating in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Experience working remotely across multiple countries and effectively collaborating with cross-cultural teams

Behaviours & Ways of Working

• A doer, equally comfortable in strategic conversations and writing a funding proposal
• Sets a high bar for quality and clarity in all external communications and holds it consistently
• Builds a strong, trust-based partnership with the Founding CEO, provides honest challenge and operates effectively within a founder-led dynamic without losing their own voice or judgement
• Collaborative and cross-organisational. Invests in strong relationships with programme, MEL and finance colleagues, understanding that the best fundraising is grounded in organisational reality
• Calm and focused under pressure - able to manage competing priorities and maintain quality when the stakes are high

What We Offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• 25 days annual leave
• Health insurance
• Pension contribution
• Generous learning and development budget
• Flexible, remote working

Application Instruction

Interested candidates are encouraged to read the Job Description carefully before applying to ensure they understand the role and meet the required criteria.

To apply, please complete the pre-screening questions and submit your updated CV

PLEASE NOTE - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Timeline

Closing Date: 3rd September 2026

Our Stance

Lively Minds operates a strict Safeguarding Policy and is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable people. As part of our recruitment process, the suitability of successful candidates will be verified through appropriate background checks including professional references and police checks.

Lively Minds is fully committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and to providing equal opportunities throughout our recruitment process. We want this commitment to be reflected in the diversity of the people who work for us, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, experiences and perspectives.

We are committed to ensuring that recruitment decisions are based on merit, skills, experience and suitability for the role, and that all candidates are treated fairly and with respect throughout the recruitment process.

Relationship Fundraising Executive.

Salary: £27,000 per annum.

Location: Remote covering London and South East England.

Contract:Fixed Term Contract for 12 months – Full Time 35 hours per week.

Benefits:

· 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays pro rata, with up to 5additionaldays for continuous service andoptionto buy or sell leave.

· Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities.

· Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages.

· Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover.

· Staff discounts and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailer's discounts.

Why Action for Children?

Working here is more than a job.We arepassionate about protecting and supportingchildren,youngpeople,and families.All our departments work together to achieve thehigh standardsof safeguarding that make a difference to children and to the workforce.

A bit about the role

In this role of Relationship Fundraising Executive in the Community Fundraising team, you will support delivery of the fundraising strategy in our communities to grow income and support for Action for Children.

You will steward our supporters in London and South East of England with their fundraising activity, supporting sports participants, fundraising groups, community corporate partners, DIY fundraisers, Methodists, and more. 

Howyou'llhelp to create brighter futures

· Supporting the delivery of a range of fundraising campaigns and activities across London and the South East of England that provide significant income in line with the relationship fundraising strategy. 

· Assisting with the stewardship of local volunteer fundraising groups, organisations, clubs, businesses in the local area to encourage further involvement in our work.

· Manage the administrative set up and support of ‘Action Squads’, i.e. volunteer led fundraising groups to help them successfully fundraise and raise awareness. 

· Working across and attending challenge events to assist the stewardship and support for sports participants, who sign up to run, walk, cycle, and skydive for Action for Children across the UK. 

· Demonstrate accountability to our supporters and volunteers through an open, honest, transparent, and consistent approach.

· Supporting the delivery of set financial targets and non-financial targets and outcomes locally.

Let'stalk about you

· Experience of delivering successful fundraising activity to achieve income growth. 

· Proven experience of networking and of developing and stewarding.

· Maintaining excellent personal relationships with senior external and internal stakeholders, donors, and volunteers. 

· Able to manage challenging and demanding situations to ensure the delivery of all events and fundraising activities.

· Ability to project manage a team of volunteers to achieve against specific financial goals where appropriate. 

· Proficient in Microsoft 365 Suite. 

Please see the Job Description for the full list of accountabilities and requirements.

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for thisrole.

Diversity, equality, andinclusion

AtActionforChildren,we'rededicatedto building a diverse,inclusive, and authentic workplace.

Weactivelyencourageapplicationsfrom Black, Asian &MinorityEthnic, and disabled candidates as they areunder-representedwithinActionforChildren. We want to takedeliberateand purposefulactionto ensure equalopportunityto all groups in society and forActionforChildren.

Want toknow more about Action for Children?

Find us onLinkedin,Facebook, Instagram or YouTubeto get to know us better.

Closing Date:Tuesday 25th August 2026.

Interviews will be held via MS Teams week commencing 31st August 2026.

Hours: 30–35 hours per week
Location: Home-based*
Reporting to: CEO

*This is a home-based role. However, the successful candidate will need to be based within reasonable travelling distance of London and our programme activity, with the ability to travel to meetings and visits within a day where required. We therefore anticipate that applicants based in Scotland, Ireland, West Wales or the far South West may find the role impractical.

This position is being re-advertised; previous candidates need not apply.

Be part of a mission that's transforming children's futures through food, farming and the countryside

For more than 45 years, The Country Trust has been connecting children from the UK's most disadvantaged communities with the land that sustains us all. Through inspiring farm visits, food education and countryside experiences, we've already reached more than 600,000 children, and we're just getting started.

We're entering an exciting new chapter as we develop our next organisational strategy, and we're looking for an experienced fundraising leader to help shape our future.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an ambitious and strategic fundraiser to join our Senior Leadership Team and lead the next phase of our income growth, enabling even more children to benefit from our life-changing programmes.

About the role

As Head of Fundraising, you'll provide strategic leadership across all fundraising activity while remaining hands-on in securing major income and developing key relationships.

You'll lead a dedicated fundraising team, drive innovation, strengthen fundraising systems and processes, and develop a sustainable fundraising strategy that diversifies income across:

• Trusts and foundations
• Corporate partnerships
• Major donors
• Individual giving
• Legacies
• Gaming and Streaming for Good
• Emerging fundraising opportunities

Working closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team, Digital and IT colleagues, you'll help embed new fundraising systems, champion data-driven decision making and ensure fundraising excellence across the organisation.

About you

We're looking for an inspiring fundraising leader who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery.

You'll bring:

• Significant senior-level fundraising leadership experience
• A proven track record of securing substantial income across multiple fundraising streams
• Experience developing and delivering fundraising strategies that drive sustainable growth
• Strong leadership skills with experience developing high-performing teams
• Excellent relationship-building, communication and influencing skills
• Financial and commercial awareness, including budgeting and forecasting
• Knowledge of fundraising regulation, GDPR and fundraising best practice
• A passion for improving opportunities for disadvantaged children

Experience developing new income streams, digital fundraising and CRM systems would be particularly valuable.

Why join us?

At The Country Trust, you'll be joining an ambitious charity where collaboration, learning and innovation are at the heart of everything we do.

We offer:

• Flexible working
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (FTE)
• Workplace pension
• Homeworking allowance
• Mileage and agreed travel expenses
• A supportive, values-led culture
• The opportunity to shape our future strategy and make a lasting difference to children's lives

We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Key dates
Closing date: 11:59pm, Sunday 13th September
Interviews from: Monday 21st September
 

The Country Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

• 16 hours per week (part time)
• £35,000.a. pro rata (Actual salary £15,135) plus 6% pension contribution
• Remote

Job Summary:

Rape Crisis England & Wales is the national membership and accreditation body for a network of Rape Crisis Centres that provide specialist support for survivors of sexual violence and abuse. We work to promote the needs and rights of survivors and campaign for an end to all forms of sexual violence, abuse and exploitation.  

Our Fundraising and Development Officer will support our daily fundraising operations. In this role, you will be responsible for coordinating contractor relationships, managing administrative tasks, supporting our governance arrangements, collating data and ensuring smooth communication across departments. You will play a key role in optimising processes, handling logistics, and assisting in the delivery of operational initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

The overall purpose of this role is to provide administrative and operational support across the fundraising department. You will work closely with the Head of Fundraising and Development to support donor recognition and stewardship, fundraising finance processes, and collate data for reporting against KPIs.

The key responsibilities of this role include:

Donor recognition and supporter care

• Thank Challenge event and one-off donors promptly, warmly, and accurately, within agreed turnaround times, tailoring acknowledgements by gift size, channel, and giving history.

• Administer donor recognition processes, including welcome journeys for new regular givers, milestone and anniversary acknowledgements, and recognition of mid-level and repeat donors.

• Respond to supporter enquiries by email, phone, and post in a professional and sensitive manner, escalating complex matters as appropriate.

• Handle sensitive gifts, such as in memory donations, with care and discretion.

• Support the stewardship of challenge event participants and community fundraisers, including fundraising materials, sponsorship processing, and thanking.

Individual giving and donation processing

• Record donations accurately and regularly on Salesforce, ensuring each gift is coded correctly by source, campaign, and restriction.

• Process payroll giving donations

• Maintain the Mailchimp donor database including uploading new donors

• Carry out regular reconciliations of donation income with Finance colleagues, investigating and resolving discrepancies.

• Administer regular giving, including setting up, amending, and cancelling regular gifts, and monitoring failed payments.

• Support the delivery of individual giving campaigns and appeals, with donation handling, data segmentation, and post campaign administration.

• Assist in processing and acknowledging occasional one-off donations received across all channels and platforms, including online giving platforms, direct debits, standing orders, cheques, and bank transfers.

Gift Aid

• Maintain complete and compliant Gift Aid declaration records for all eligible donors.

• Prepare and submit regular Gift Aid claims to HMRC, ensuring claims are accurate, maximised, and submitted on schedule.

• Keep an audit trail of claims and declarations in line with HMRC requirements, and support any related audit or compliance activity.

• Identify opportunities to increase Gift Aid uptake across giving channels.

Data and compliance

• Maintain accurate, up to date supporter records on the fundraising database, including contact details, communication preferences, and consent.

• Ensure all supporter data is handled in line with UK GDPR, the Fundraising Regulator's Code of Fundraising Practice, and RCEW policies.

• Run routine data hygiene tasks such as deduplication, returned mail processing, and preference updates.

• Produce simple reports on income and supporter activity to support team planning and reporting to funders and the Board.

General fundraising support

• Monitor and respond to email correspondence in the fundraising inbox

• Provide administrative support across the fundraising function as required, including trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, and events.

• Maintain fundraising records, templates, and process documentation so that key tasks are well documented and consistent.

• Research potential donors and funding opportunities to support the organisation’s goals.

• Provide administrative support during grant application processes, including compiling documents and tracking deadlines.

• Coordinate logistics for fundraising events, including venue booking, catering, and invitations.

• Contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture and take part in team meetings and organisational activity.

• Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the level of the role.

The post holder is expected to work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders to promote the aims and values of Rape Crisis England & Wales. Therefore, this list is indicative only, not exhaustive. It is intended to reflect a range of duties the post-holder will be expected to perform but additional duties commensurate with the role may be required. The job description will be reviewed from time to time and may change in light of experience and changing circumstances, in consultation with the post-holder. We ask all employees to uphold our organisational values, support our mission and purpose, and to maintain respectful and collaborative relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organisation.

Person Specification

· A relevant qualification in Fundraising or a related field would be desirable.

· Proven experience in a fundraising role, ideally within a corporate, nonprofit, or government environment.

· Experience with fundraising activities such as donor relations, and materials preparation

· Strong ability to coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously, ensuring deadlines are met and operations run smoothly.

· Detail-oriented with excellent time management and prioritisation skills.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare reports, presentations, and donor correspondence.

· Ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership, team members, external stakeholders, and donors.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

· Familiarity with donor management platforms (e.g., JustGiving)

· Experience with Salesforce would be beneficial

· Ability to approach challenges with a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset and make decisions based on data, policies, and best practices.

*Shortlisting will be based on the candidates’ ability to demonstrate the criteria in bold.

Personal Attributes:

• Results-oriented with a passion for making a difference and working proactively.
• Collaborative and able to build strong internal and external relationships.
• Adaptable, innovative, and comfortable with change.
• Excellent organisational, problem-solving and decision-making abilities

 Eligibility

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Evidence of this will be required prior to appointment.

 Additional Information

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Outreach, Wheelchair Skills and Wider Engagement

· Engage the widest possible range of people with spinal cord injury to sign up for further contact with Back Up, through organising and/or delivering wheelchair skills training sessions and talks for patients and families at the spinal cord injury centre in the region, general hospitals and with other key partners or locations as identified.

· Coordinate, support and manage volunteer trainers who are helping to deliver sessions and talking to patients and families.

· Lead, sustain and develop strong and effective working relationships with a wide range of health professionals and other charity representatives e.g. through presentations, calls and meetings, to ensure that people access seamless support.

Proactive Contact with People Affected by Spinal Cord Injury

· Maintain and support relationships with a large number of people affected by SCI (adults, children and young people and their parents) through regular proactive contact. This could be in person in the spinal cord injury centre, other settings or through events, telephone contact or other interactions.

· Explore their feelings, wishes and needs and provide tailored peer support to help them feel supported, access relevant services from Back Up and elsewhere through proactive referrals, and become more aware of the possibilities of life after SCI.

Networking, Partnerships and Sustainability

· Develop and maintain a map of touchpoints in the region, where people with an SCI will come into contact.

· Develop partnerships, referral routes and signposting processes to develop reach beyond the spinal cord injury centre.

· Develop and manage a network of community ambassador volunteers to support the wider work and sustainability of Back Up through fundraising and other related activities.

· Take a lead on encouraging localised fundraising activity; working towards wider income targets that support ongoing sustainability.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

· Maintaining accurate records on the database.

· Work as a team, consulting with others to ensure you give and receive high quality support.

· Keep Back Up informed of the issues affecting the people you are supporting and of developments at the spinal cord injury centre, general hospitals and other settings.

· Input into team planning and activities.

· Manage the budget relating to activities in your region.

· Help recruit new volunteers as needed to ensure a diverse team representing Back Up.

· Other duties as required by the Regional Outreach & Engagement Team Leader.

The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be expected within the scope of this role.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential:

• Experience of working to support vulnerable people to achieve goals/move forward in life
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• High standard of IT including experience of using databases and MS Office
• Self-starter; highly organised, able to drive own workload
• A creative and proactive approach to all areas of work with a 'can do' attitude, in line with the charity's values
• Commitment to delivering a high-quality service
• Respect for confidentiality
• Suitable to work safely and appropriately with children and vulnerable people
• Strong team working orientation with a flexible and adaptable approach to work demands across the whole organisation, a real people person
• Respect for others; able to work in a way that respects diversity and values equality
• Great listener, warmth, empathy, respect for everybody. Able to be non-judgmental and focus on the individual and their needs
• Willing and able to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends including overnight stays
• GCSE Maths and English A-C or equivalent

Desirable:

• Spinal cord injured person or family member
• Experience of working with and supporting volunteers
• Experience of working with people in trauma
• Presentation skills and the ability to manage a group
• Proactive approach to own support needs, health & wellbeing
• An understanding of the needs of people adjusting to life with spinal cord injury

Location: Edinburgh
Salary: £49,792 - £56,426 per annum plus generous benefits
Application Deadline: 25 August 2026

About the role

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the UK's most significant cultural fundraising campaigns. We're looking for an experienced major gifts or capital fundraising professional who thrives on building exceptional relationships and securing transformational support. You'll join us at a pivotal moment, leading campaigns that will shape the future of Scotland's national collection and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

At National Galleries of Scotland, you'll help secure the future of one of the world's great art collections, cared for on behalf of the nation. You'll raise transformational philanthropic support for projects that preserve Scotland's national collection, expand public access and create lasting cultural impact.

We're looking for a strategic and relationship-focused fundraiser with experience leading complex, high-value fundraising campaigns. You'll be equally confident working with major donors, senior colleagues, Trustees and volunteer leaders. You'll combine excellent judgement with strong planning skills, bringing together people, resources and fundraising strategy to deliver ambitious campaign goals.

While initially focused on The Art Works, you will have a longer-term remit to help shape future capital fundraising priorities that emerge from our strategic ambitions. You’ll personally progress high-value donor relationships while ensuring fundraising campaigns are strategically structured, insight-led, appropriately resourced and effectively delivered.

You'll help broaden our philanthropic reach by expanding a strong and diverse prospect base across local, national and international audiences. This includes developing approaches to high-value and discreet funders and making the best use of senior volunteers and networks.

The scale of the role is exceptional. You'll work on nationally significant projects with a compelling case for support. You'll enjoy flexible and hybrid working, generous benefits and the chance to make a lasting impact throughout your career.

The difference you’ll make
Reporting to the Head of Development, you will:

• Provide excellent strategic management of capital fundraising campaigns across the organisation, with an immediate focus on The Art Works as well as responsibility for supporting the planning and delivery of future campaigns, including the Mound Level Galleries redevelopment and other major capital priorities.
• Contribute to the development of long-term capital fundraising strategies, campaign plans and prospect pipelines to support future organisational priorities beyond The Art Works, ensuring continuity of donor engagement and campaign readiness.
• Translate campaign strategy, timelines and gift table requirements into clear delivery plans and actions across teams.
• Monitor progress toward income and activity targets, identify variances early and recommend tactical adjustments based on internal insight and external conditions.
• Lead the development and maintenance of campaign reporting, including dashboards, risk logs, income phasing and governance papers.
• Engage directly with major donors, trusts and foundations to cultivate, solicit and steward high-value gifts, working with senior colleagues, Trustees and Campaign Board members as appropriate to maximise outcomes.
• Oversee and direct cultivation and stewardship activity across the capital campaigns team, ensuring delivery of agreed fundraising strategies and a structured and strategic approach to progressing prospects and delivering income targets, while working closely with the wider Development team to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach to donor engagement.
• Expand the philanthropic prospect base by identifying new opportunities and supporting approaches to high‑value or discreet funders.
• Oversee the preparation of high‑quality briefings, materials and follow‑up for senior‑level donor meetings and solicitations.
• Coordinate all donor hospitality activity for the campaign, liaising with colleagues across the Development team and other teams as required, including events, briefings, site visits and other cultivation opportunities.
• Lead the implementation of donor recognition and stewardship frameworks, ensuring consistent, high‑quality supporter experiences.
• Ensure operational readiness for the public phase of the campaign, coordinating colleagues across Development, Communications and Visitor Experience to create effective giving pathways and engagement opportunities.
• Provide day‑to‑day direction to the Development Manager – Capital Campaigns; the Campaigns Coordinator and other team members (to be brought in on a temporary basis as required at key campaign stages) to support high standards of documentation, planning and internal communication.
• Promote collaborative, inclusive working practices across the team and wider organisation.

Who we are looking for
To succeed in this role, you’ll need the following range of knowledge, skills, and experience:

• Significant leadership experience in capital or multi‑year fundraising campaigns with £multi-million targets.
• Experience of developing and sustaining a portfolio of high net worth prospects at 5, 6 and 7-figure levels including discreet and invite-only funders.
• Experience modelling and managing fundraising cash flow, campaign pacing and income phasing across multiple fundraising priorities, ensuring alignment with organisational and project delivery requirements.
• Ability to expand donor networks at local, national, and international level.
• Strong presentation and writing skills, with the ability to influence, articulate complex ideas and inspire support.
• Experience planning and delivering high‑quality cultivation events and donor engagements.
• Strong understanding of fundraising sector trends, major donor behaviour and the philanthropic landscape.
• Experience working closely with senior stakeholders, including Directors, Trustees, volunteer fundraising campaign board members and other high‑level advocates.
• Strong knowledge of UK charitable giving and tax considerations relevant to fundraising.
• Highly motivated, with the ability to act on initiative while exercising good judgement about when to involve others.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills, with confidence interpreting financial, pipeline and performance data.
• Experience using CRM/database systems such as Spektrix or similar.

It would also be great if you have

• Experience of fundraising for multiple capital projects and transitioning donor relationships between successive major campaigns. Knowledge of the arts, culture, heritage, community engagement or education sectors.
• Understanding of how environmental sustainability, climate action and low‑energy design influence contemporary philanthropic priorities.
• Enthusiasm for the mission and work of the National Galleries of Scotland.
• Experience of fundraising in an international context, particularly in North America and Asia. 

The closing date for completed applications is 12 noon on Tuesday, 25 August 2026.

Please apply directly via our careers portal. Applications via email will not be accepted.