4 Fundraising officer jobs in Birmingham, West Midlands

Who we are

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

What you’ll do

Reports to: Fundraising Manager

Location: Remote, with occasional travel for funder and staff meetings 4-5 times a year

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Trusts and Philanthropy Officer to join our small, ambitious fundraising team. IPSEA has a proven track record of successfully securing grants for core costs and projects. You will be responsible for researching new funding opportunities, preparing and submitting tailored applications and reports, and managing relationships with funders through thoughtful and timely stewardship. You will also have the opportunity to shape the early development of our strategies in major gifts and wider philanthropy and contribute to this work into the future.

This is a key role in IPSEA’s fundraising strategy and will help secure long-term financial sustainability for our services. 

If you share our commitment to protecting, promoting and upholding the rights of children and young people with SEND and would like to use your fundraising skills at IPSEA, we would love to hear from you. 

What we can offer you

• 5% employer pension contributions
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).

To apply

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Deadline for applications: 9am on 5 October 2026.

First-round interviews: on 16 October in London, with second-round interviews (online) in the week commencing 19 October 2026.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE.

Empowering the next generation

We’re looking for an incredible, self-starting fundraiser to help transform the lives of young people and raise vital funds to support RAF Air Cadets. If you’re passionate about CSR, skilled at connecting supporters to a genuine cause and passionate about providing air cadets with unforgettable opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.

The Air Cadet Charity is an independent organisation dedicated to supporting the RAF Air Cadets. We provide essential grants for activities, cutting-edge equipment, and life-changing experiences that go beyond standard provision. From funding flight simulators and drone technology to enabling international expeditions, STEM projects, and leadership training, we give young people the tools to excel. Operating primarily on voluntary contributions made via cadet subscriptions from across the RAF Air Cadet organisation, we are now strategically expanding our fundraising focus toward corporate support.

This is an exciting role where you will take the lead on building upon our existing corporate foundations and establishing our dedicated corporate supporter network from the ground up. We are a close-knit, collaborative team offering a supportive workplace where your vision and contributions will directly shape our growth.

Please note this role is primarily home-based with travel across the UK for supporter engagement, meetings, and events.

Key responsibilities

• Corporate giving: Identify, cultivate, and secure valuable philanthropic donations and financial support from businesses aligned with our mission, driving the primary focus of the role to grow our corporate donor base.
• Income generation & strategy: Drive income growth by developing and delivering against agreed corporate fundraising targets, building a sustainable pipeline of new supporters, and actively monitoring and reporting on financial progress.
• Diversified fundraising & income generation: Oversee and manage our broader fundraising streams—including individual donors and digital/website giving channels—alongside  handling occasional applications, stewardship, and reporting for existing trusts, foundations, and major donors as required.
• Stewardship & relationship management: Deliver exceptional, high-touch stewardship to build long-lasting, meaningful relationships with our corporate donors, individual supporters, and stakeholders.
• Collaboration: Work alongside our team to co-create inspiring case studies, impact reports, and marketing materials highlighting how philanthropic donations directly benefit cadets.
• Representation: Act as an enthusiastic ambassador for our charity at networking functions, corporate meetings, and cadet showcases.

This role reports to the Charity Director and works closely with the Marketing and Engagement Officer, collaborating across income generation and marketing to support our mission.

Person specification

• Essential experience: Proven track record in corporate fundraising within the charity sector, with a strong emphasis on securing corporate donations and an ability to manage multiple income streams as a sole fundraiser.
• Relationship building: Exceptional networking, negotiation, and communication skills with a natural talent for inspiring supporters to invest in our grant-making cause.
• Commercial acumen: Strong understanding of corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives and philanthropic giving.
• Working style: Highly self-motivated, entrepreneurial, and capable of working independently in a remote/hybrid environment while contributing to a friendly team culture.
• Travel requirements: A willingness and ability to travel regularly across the UK—including to London and various regional locations—for corporate meetings, relationship building, and charity events.
• General Support: A willingness to undertake other reasonable duties to support our team and wider charity goals.

Desirable skills:

• Familiarity with CRM systems or donor databases.
• Proven ability to plan and deliver corporate engagement events.
• Knowledge of digital marketing and social media to support fundraising campaigns.
• Understanding of the youth sector or uniformed organisations.
• Familiarity with the Armed Forces, defence sector, or military-charity networks, bringing a helpful understanding of defence contacts and sector terminology.
• Background in managing trusts, foundations, individual donors, or major donors and building face-to-face relationships.
• Experience writing compelling applications and stewardship reports for trusts, foundations, and major donors.

Why join us?

• Be part of a friendly, supportive, and dedicated team where your ideas matter.
• Enjoy the flexibility of home-based working while staying closely connected with colleagues and supporters.
• 26 days annual leave (pro-rata for part-time hours) plus bank holidays and a Christmas shutdown period.
• 5% employer pension contribution.
• Life assurance cover at 4x your salary.
• The chance to see the direct, inspiring impact of your work on young people's lives.

How to apply

Submit your CV and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) detailing your relevant fundraising experience and why you are inspired to support our charity's mission.

Application Timeline & Process:

• Closing Date: 9am Friday 2nd October
• Shortlisting & Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted shortly after the closing date, with interviews to be held at the end of October.
• Interview Format: A single-round interview process featuring a brief, pre-interview practical task to give us a chance to see your skills in action.

The Air Cadet Charity is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. Successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Do you want to be part of a dynamic and innovative fundraising team? Do you want to raise money for some of society’s most pressing challenges and play a key role in an ambitious fundraising and volunteering campaign?

We are looking to recruit a Philanthropy Officer to join us at this very exciting time. The Philanthropy Officer will be responsible for the relationship management of a portfolio of around 100 prospective donors in order to raise funds for a range of key projects. They will be responsible for the entire prospect relationship management process including researching, cultivating, asking and stewarding. 

This role will play an integral part in supporting donations to improve student experience and across key areas of research.

As part of an award-winning team and led by some of the most respected names in higher education fundraising, you’ll get the chance to work across the team and wider university to encourage new donors to make long-term, sustainable and significant £10k plus gifts. You will also have the opportunity to work with our senior team on proposals to top donors enabling you to get experience of working with some of the most successful and experienced major gift fundraisers in the UK Higher Education sector. 

You will be provided with a robust induction and an ongoing training program that will include support from the University as well as expert external providers.

As a Philanthropy Officer you will have responsibility for managing a portfolio of current and prospective donors. You will have the confidence to ask for donations, be a strong communicator, and be passionate about making a difference to some of the biggest challenges the world faces.

The Philanthropy Officer will take ownership of the end-to-end relationship management process of a prospect, from initial research to stewardship activity:

1. Personally manage a portfolio of circa 100 of the University’s (4- and 5-figure) donors and prospective donors, maintaining close relationships with each prospect and integrating them with the University whenever possible to bring the prospective donors to the point where you can ask for philanthropic support.

2. Secure over £100,000 of donation pledges in the first year and develop a sustainable pipeline of prospects and philanthropic income.

3. Demonstrate an understanding that successful fundraising is based on building effective relationships, which match a prospective donor’s philanthropic interest with an area of strength and/or opportunity at the University. Be responsible for the end-to-end relationship management process of your contacts including:

· Identifying new prospective donors from your networks.

· Making the approach and managing a cultivation process, tailored to your prospect.

· Understanding the University’s campaign priorities and bringing them to life for individual supporters. through various communication channels.

· Asking confidently, passionately and effectively for key priorities.

· Building long-term relationships that are centred on the donor, including maximising volunteering opportunities where appropriate.

· Stewarding the donor once a gift is made, ensuring the individual remains connected to the University, the project, and the impact which they have made.

4. Responsible for adhering to relevant fundraising regulation and GDPR whilst ensuring fundraising processes are ethical and that due diligence is undertaken as necessary.

5. Deliver against set targets including money raised, asks made, meetings secured and gift close rate.

6. Communicate effectively with prospects, donors, volunteers, alumni, academics, researchers and businesses using a wide range of communication skills.

7. Communicate effectively with prospects and donors by phone, email, LinkedIn, letter and face-to-face.

8. Work internally with academics to showcase projects to potential donors and work with colleagues across the university to bring gifts to fruition.

9. Work closely with the Volunteering, Events, Campaign Management, Donor Experience, Regular Giving and Legacy Teams to maximise opportunities for collaboration with prospective donors.

10. Working in partnership with other fundraisers and members of DARO including sharing best practice and ensuring prospect development by playing in senior stakeholders at the right time.

11. Use Blackbaud CRM to record meetings and proposals effectively to allow accurate performance monitoring and reporting.

12. Take ownership of all processes and communications in relation to your prospects to include writing proposals, first approach communication, thank you letters and gift paperwork as appropriate.

13. Work with the Philanthropic Finance Team to ensure pledges are fulfilled and donations are correctly managed.

14. Being familiar with methods of tax efficient giving in the UK.

15. Seeking out opportunities for professional development.

16.  Fosters a fair and equitable workplace for all staff.

17.  Supports the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.

18.  Any other duties commensurate with the grade.