If this sounds like you, then our four-month (7th September to 18th December 2026), salaried Grant Fundraising Traineeship might be the perfect opportunity for you.
Chell Perkins is looking for four individuals with excellent writing skills who want to learn how to fundraise from grantmakers.
Our industry-leading paid traineeship (monthly equivalent of a £24,792 annual salary) will see you writing grant applications for multiple charities and gaining a recognised certificate with education credits towards CFRE to kickstart your fundraising career. There are up to four vacancies at Chell Perkins, and at the end of the course trainees will be eligible to apply for a permanent position.
“This programme has been an amazing opportunity to work with so many different clients, and constantly learn new skills on the job. I have learned so much.” Junior Fundraiser, 2022
This immersive programme is home-based with quality training and plenty of support from other experienced fundraisers.
“The hands-on training opportunities that come with a role at Chell Perkins are invaluable for anyone who is looking to get into fundraising. I don't think you could find a more immersive and rewarding experience in the charity sector anywhere else!” Junior Fundraiser, 2022
Why Chell Perkins?
At the end of our Grant Fundraising Traineeship, you will be a confident and capable fundraiser. But there’s much more to the scheme than that. The Chell Perkins team are a great bunch of people to work with. We really care about our partner charities and YOUR future. Our supportive and empowering work culture will enable you to realise your own potential.
“This programme is truly unique and rewarding. I recommend it to anyone thinking of beginning a fundraising career.” Junior Fundraiser, 2020
Client mix
Candidates should be aware that at present, 70% of our partner charities come from a Christian background (churches or Christian charities). While it is not a requirement to be Christian, candidates must be happy to write for a faith-based audience.
Applications
This role is home-based; however, you may occasionally be required to work from client sites across the UK.
For more details about this opportunity, contact us and request a copy of the Job Description & Person Specification document.
Interviews will be held in the week commencing 4th May 2026 for positions starting on 7th September 2026.
If our Grant Fundraising Traineeship sounds like it could be a perfect fit for you, why not apply? We look forward to hearing from you!
To apply for this role, please complete our job application and email it to us with a recent CV and a covering letter. In your covering letter, we are looking for:
- Evidence of strong written communication skills
- Passion for the third sector, and in particular fundraising
- Ability to write persuasively
- Evidence that you have carefully researched the role and our organisation.
Click 'how to apply' below for the email address to send your application to, and for more information on the role and person specification.
A note about generative AI use
As an agency we are not against the use of AI to research or help improve the quality of your application. However, we strongly advise against using AI to generate copy for you. Last year, over 40 applications contained sections with identical wording, due to the use of generative AI. As a result, we could not get to know the applicants from their writing, and subsequently had to reject all of these applications.
Non Charity Employer
11 - 20
We’re Chell Perkins, the flexible charity fundraising partners. We’re here to give charities the boost they need to make their vision a reality.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Introduction
the3million is the largest grassroots organisation for EU citizens* in the UK, formed after the 2016 referendum to protect the rights of people who have made the UK their home.
Our work ranges from organising EU citizens’ communities and informing people about their rights, to holding the Government to account on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and advocating for social justice.
We are looking for an experienced, values-driven and thoughtful Communications Manager to help shape and strengthen the3million’s public voice. The role focuses on sharing our work as widely and effectively as possible, through social media, supporter communications and news media. You will act as a spokesperson for the3million, write and develop communications materials, and help grow our supporters and donors base through lived-experience focused communications.
The ideal candidate is a passionate communicator, motivated by social justice and passionate about amplifying the voices of EU citizens and other migrant communities. You are as comfortable shaping strategy as you are delivering high-quality content, and you are committed to challenging injustice and influencing decision-makers.
Key responsibilities
1. Communications strategy & leadership
- Lead the development, delivery and evaluation of the communications strategy of the3million, working closely with the3million’s CEO, Head of Policy and Advocacy and Organising team to deliver timely strategic communications support
- Growing and safeguarding the3million’s brand identity, integrity and strategic positioning across all our external channels, networks and audiences
- Develop new initiatives to expand and improve the reach and engagement of the3million’s communications
- Regularly reviewing the effectiveness of campaigns and responding to opportunities that arise
- Use analytics tools to evaluate performance and inform strategic decisions
- Support the3million’s sustainability through effective fundraising messages and campaigns
- Maintain positive and productive relationships with partner organisations, working on shared campaigns and promoting strategic collaborations, opportunities for engagement and projects
2. Content and digital communications
- Build the3million’s public messages, using the most effective frames to communicate complex issues clearly to targeted audiences, with lived experience underpinning these messages
- Take overall responsibility for developing the3million’s website content, creating written and visual content
- Oversee and manage the3million’s online presence, engaging with relevant online platforms
- Produce regular newsletters, with clear and effective calls to action
- Develop effective fundraising content to disseminate to supporters
- Manage the3million’s social media channels, leading on creating engaging social media content (written and visual), developing and expanding the3million’s social media presence using relevant up to date digital tools
- Support EU citizens in having their stories heard, sourcing and writing compelling stories, ensuring safeguarding and consent policies are followed
3. Media relations
- Monitor media outlets for issues related to our campaigns, respond to developments in an appropriate and timely fashion
- Write and disseminate press releases, opinion pieces and articles
- Manage press enquiries, liaising with journalists and other media contacts
- Proactively pitch, develop and maintain relationships with relevant media stakeholders, developing our contacts list
- Support people with lived experience in working with journalists to have their stories heard
- Develop key messaging and briefings for staff and spokespeople to ensure consistency across communications, as needed
- Lead on crisis communications and rapid response messaging in reaction to political or media developments
4. Campaign communications & messaging
- Work closely with the policy and advocacy team to translate complex issues into compelling narratives
- Work with the Community Organising team to ensure lived-experience led storytelling is embedded in the community organising strategy
- Support with the development of published materials (in print and online) such as leaflets and reports. Lead on the visual design of published materials
- Support people with lived experience (including community leaders) to be effective spokespeople for the3million, delivering relevant communications training and support their leadership development (working closely with the Organising team)
5. General:
- Maintain relationships with relevant funders of the3million’s communications activities, providing regular reports and updates
- Represent the views of the3million at events, conferences and in the media
- Provide assistance in other areas of the3million’s work as and when deemed necessary by the CEO
Person specifications
Knowledge and experience:
- Demonstrable experience (minimum 2 years) in managing communications for a charity or an NGO in the UK
- Strong understanding of the UK media landscape, including experience securing media coverage and managing press relationships
- Experience managing digital communications channels (website, email, social media) and growing engagement
- Experience supporting or working alongside people with lived experience in communications, storytelling or campaigns
- Experience using data and analytics to evaluate communications performance and inform strategy
Skills:
- Excellent writing, editing and storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt tone for different audiences and channels
- Ability to identify and quickly respond to external opportunities and risks, including fast-moving political or media developments
- Strong media relation skills, including pitching stories and handling press enquiries
- Digital communications skills, including social media management, email campaigns (eg using Mailchimp or Action Network) and website content management
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
- Ability to develop clear, compelling messaging and narratives grounded in lived experience
- Confidence in supporting and briefing spokespeople, including people with lived experience
- Good design and visual content skills (including using Canva for content production)
Personal attributes:
- Passionate about EU citizens’ rights and committed to supporting and advancing the rights of all migrants, irrespective of nationality, immigration status, or other matters
- Strong understanding of power, inequity and intersectionality
- Ability to work independently, managing competing priorities and thrive in a fast-paced environment
- A positive, proactive and solutions-oriented attitude, able to take initiative
- Willingness to occasionally travel across the UK
Desirable:
- Experience with campaigning or political communications
- Knowledge and experience in fundraising communications (donor messaging, appeals)
- Knowledge of migrants rights or the EU Settlement Scheme
- Experience delivering media or communications training
Before you apply
One of the3million’s core values is equity - we are people led, we value diversity and are enriched by differences. We strive to listen to, engage with and represent the broadest range of people.
We recognise our team is not currently representative of communities that experience racism and that our own ways of working may replicate wider societal oppression and injustices. We are actively working towards becoming an anti-oppressive organisation, including taking steps to create a more inclusive recruitment process.
You may not have worked in an organisation whose focus is campaigning for migrants’ rights. Or you may have experience in a grassroots setting which is not formalised. Please still consider applying as many other settings offer transferable skills.
If you are from a background that is underrepresented in the migration sector - for example you are from a community that experiences racism, or you have lived experience of migration, or you are a disabled person, or you did not go to University or had free school meals as a child - we strongly encourage you to apply.
We believe our work will be stronger with greater diversity. the3million welcomes the whole person to work, and we understand that each of us brings our experiences, our backgrounds and our own unique lens to what we do.
About applying
Apply by submitting an up to date CV and cover letter through CharityJobs, detailing your motivations for applying for this post and how your skills, knowledge and experience fit the person specifications of the role. Please note we will not be reviewing applications which do not include a detailed cover letter.
Working conditions
Position: Full time
Duration: one year contract, with possibility of extension, subject to funding
Salary: £35,000
Location: Remote, UK. Home working. Occasional travel required - within the UK (all travel expenses covered)
Benefits: 28 days holiday + bank holidays, contributory pension scheme, flexible working patterns.
Reporting to: CEO
Closing date: 21st April 2026. Please note we are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and this vacancy may be closed early if we find a suitable candidate.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.