At the heart of the 2027 programme is a paid, 12-month role within a leading foundation, trust, or social investment organisation. You’ll be employed full-time in a grant-making or related position with one of our dynamic host organisations across the UK. In this role, you’ll contribute directly to improving the communities your host serves while earning a salary of at least £25,000 (or £25,642 if based in London).
Alongside your placement, you’ll take part in an acclaimed development programme designed to build the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for a successful career in the funding sector. Through this, you’ll explore the challenges within grant-making and social investment, develop your leadership potential, and work alongside peers to imagine and create a more equitable and effective funding system. The programme supports you not only to thrive in your new role but also to grow into a future changemaker in the sector.
This unique blend of training, professional experience, and network-building will equip you to take the next step toward a decision-making role in a foundation, trust, or social investment organisation—helping to shape how resources are used to create lasting change in communities.
Why 2027 exists
Launched in 2017, 2027 was born out of a desire to shift power in the grant-making sector. It aims to bridge the gap between funders and the communities they serve—particularly by addressing the lack of people with lived experience of working-class communities in decision-making roles. 2027 helps change who is involved in making funding decisions and how those decisions are made.
The Job
In your placement, you could be:
- Managing parts of a grant portfolio
- Building relationships with community partners
- Making funding recommendations
- Preparing reports and updates for trustees
- Engaging with the funder’s broader organisation to inspire interest in community work
- Ensuring legal and compliance obligations are met
- Representing your host externally and bringing in outside learning
Each role will vary slightly depending on your host organisation. We’ll work with you to ensure a placement that aligns with your goals and development.
Who You’ll Work For
You’ll be matched with a respected host organisation—one of the UK’s leading foundations, trusts, or social investment organisations—based on your location preferences and interests. Previous hosts have included:
- BBC Children in Need
- National Lottery Community Fund
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Sport England
- Better Society Capital
- City Bridge Trust
- NHS Charities Together
The Development Programme
As part of your role, you’ll participate in a comprehensive professional development programme led by sector experts. It includes:
- Residentials: Two in-person events for deep learning and peer connection.
- Masterclasses: Online, expert-led sessions exploring key sector topics.
- Peer Support Sessions: Monthly confidential spaces to reflect and share learning.
- Mentoring: Each Associate is paired with an experienced sector mentor.
- Self-Directed Learning: Curated content for reflection and growth between sessions.
- Peer Coaching: Training and monthly sessions to build coaching skills and mutual support.
- 360 Review + 1:1 Coaching: Holistic feedback and personalised coaching to support your development.
- 2027 Connect: A mix of events to connect with the wider 2027 community, including alumni, hosts, and mentors.
Career Progression
By the end of the programme, you’ll have built the experience, confidence, and insight to take on more senior or decision-making roles in the funding sector—playing a meaningful part in shaping how money is invested for social good.
Job description
- Job Title: 2027 Associate
- Salary: Minimum of £25,000 (£25,642 if based in London)
- Employer: One of our host foundations, trusts, or social investment organisations
- Location: Opportunities across England and Scotland (you’ll share your preferences)
- Hours: Typically 9am–5pm, with some flexibility
- Contract: 12-month fixed term, starting October 2025
*Foundations and trusts are grant-making charities that fund individuals, groups or organisations to run projects that benefit communities. Social investment organisations provide repayable finance to charities and enterprises working to create long-term social change.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
Role Overview:
The Talent Set is excited to be working with an amazing charity committed to driving positive global impact through high-level research and strategic action. We are looking for a talented Development Associate to join a passionate and high-performing Development team, playing a vital role in securing philanthropic and institutional funding to support the organisation’s mission.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a driven individual looking to grow their career in fundraising, research, and donor engagement within an internationally respected organisation. The Development Associate will support cross-functional fundraising efforts, working closely with senior stakeholders to deliver compelling funding proposals, conduct strategic prospect research, and contribute to donor reporting. This role will report to the Head of Foundation Engagement and collaborate across both the Foundation and Philanthropy teams to support the charity’s development goals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead on drafting and coordinating donor reports, collaborating with internal departments such as Communications, Programmes, and Finance.
- Assist in creating tailored proposals and concept notes for funding opportunities.
- Support the development of wider donor communications, including newsletters, appeal letters, impact updates, and stakeholder engagement content.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date information on project activities for use in donor communications.
- Conduct in-depth research on prospective donors and funders, using tools such as philanthropy databases, financial filings, and media reports.
- Develop profiles and briefing materials for engagement with high-net-worth individuals and foundations.
- Support due diligence processes to ensure alignment with the organisation’s values and mission.
- Contribute to network mapping and relationship-tracking projects to identify key influencers and potential partnerships.
- Provide support with internal reporting, strategy development, briefing documents and other materials as required.
Person Specification:
- Strong written communication skills, with the ability to craft persuasive, concise, and engaging fundraising content.
- Proven experience in research, preferably within fundraising, philanthropy, or the not-for-profit sector.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
- An analytical mindset with strong attention to detail.
- Experience using research tools such as iWave, 990s, or similar donor intelligence platforms is desirable.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach with a genuine interest in international affairs and social impact.
What’s on Offer:
- Ability to work flexibly, with a minimum of 2 days per week in the Central London office.
- A full-time permanent role at a fantastic organisation that is making a genuine difference.
- A competitive salary of £35,000 for the successful candidate.
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the “apply now” button (please do not apply via email).
We aim to get back to all successful candidate within 72 working hours.
Commitment to Diversity:
The Talent Set and our partner organisation are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, sexual orientation, disability, age, or gender. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.