Fundraising prospect research manager jobs

Motivated to create real global change? We are seeking an experienced Fundraising Manager to lead and grow relationships with individuals and small to medium-sized Trusts and Foundations across the UK who can make significant gifts.

In this role, you will build and manage a portfolio of mid-to-high net worth UK donors (typically giving between £1,000 and £10,000), cultivating deep relationships and delivering income growth. This role involves strategic planning, meaningful engagement, and securing donations that fund Toybox’s vital work with children in street situations.

The essentials:

· 22 days holiday (plus bank holidays) as a minimum, plus discretionary three days over Christmas and the opportunity to buy more.

· A pension – you contribute a minimum of 2% and we’ll add to your contributions another 6%.

· Access to confidential support and counselling when you need it.

·  A hybrid and flexible working policy where employees can work remotely for up to 60% of their working hours (role dependent)

· Enhanced Leave Policies

The extras:

· Focus on innovation - employees are given 5 -10% of their time to work on innovation projects.

· Birthday Leave – employees are eligible for a full day of paid leave on their birthday.

· Exclusive range of high street discounts including cinema, tech, travel, fashion and food and drink through charityworkerdiscounts.

· Well-being days – employees are given two paid well-being days a year, plus an organisational well-being day with the team.

Additional information:

At Toybox, we strive to hire the best. If you are driven to change the world for street children, you will fit right in. We are courageous in what we do, always looking to innovate and improve. We learn from our mistakes and celebrate our wins. Everyone is welcome - as an inclusive workplace, our employees are comfortable bringing their whole selves to work. Toybox values diversity, and therefore we encourage and welcome applications from all suitably skilled candidates.

We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please let us know, and we will contact you to discuss how we can help.

We will only use the information you provide to process your application. For more information about how we use your information, see our Privacy Policy. In applying for this role, we will deem that you have read and understood this Policy.

Toybox is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff, trustees and volunteers to share this commitment.

Our client is an ambitious educational institution with a proud history of innovation and inclusion, established in 1898 to meet the demands of the Second Industrial Revolution. Today, it is five years into its 10-year Vision 2028 strategy, which aims to advance careers-first education aligned with the Industry 5.0 era. The university is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and sustainable future by supporting talent from all backgrounds and fostering transformational change across education and society.

The university is seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial Fundraising Manager to lead a multi-stream programme spanning major gifts, trusts and foundations, and annual giving. Working across External Relations and Advocacy & Engagement, the postholder will collaborate with senior leaders, academics, and external partners to support the organisation's strategic goals, including the current Year of Health campaign. With line management of a Prospect Researcher, this role is central to aligning fundraising with the university’s public engagement strategy and shaping the growth of its ambitious advancement team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with a strong background in income generation, donor relationship management, and strategic fundraising planning. The ideal candidate will bring proven experience from the education, non-profit, or cultural sectors, with excellent communication and project management skills.

This is initially a 12-month fixed-term post which offers scope for progression into a permanent, more senior role.

Prospectus invests in your journey as a candidate. We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds and are more than happy to make any reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply. Please let us know if we can help you with the application process in any way. If you have any disability and would like assistance completing an application then please contact Jessica Stoddart at Prospectus.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will send you the full job description and will arrange for a call and/or meeting to brief you on the role. You’ll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Join Us in Championing Care Workers! 

At The Care Workers’ Charity, we believe care workers are the backbone of our society. Every day, they improve the lives of people across the UK – and when they’re in need, we’re here for them. 

From mental health support to crisis grants, we are the safety net for care workers. As we grow our impact and reach, we’re expanding our Fundraising Team – and you might be the perfect fit! 

What’s the Role? 

As a Fundraising Executive, you’ll be the driving force behind building powerful partnerships with care providers, corporate sponsors, and sector stakeholders. Your work will help us raise vital funds to support those who care. 

This is a unique opportunity to: 

• Develop meaningful relationships with organisations in health and social care. 
• Represent the charity at events and conferences nationwide. 
• Use your creativity to connect and inspire supporters via digital channels. 
• Be part of a remote team where collaboration, compassion, and drive are at the heart of everything we do. 

What We’re Looking For: 

• You live in England and can travel when required. 
• You’re tenacious, friendly, curious, and naturally great at research. 
• You can build lasting relationships both virtually and in person. 
• You’re self-motivated and thrive in a remote working environment. 
• You’re highly organised and love keeping clear records and progress reports. 
• You’re motivated by targets and love the buzz of achieving them. 
• You’re confident networking at industry events and happy to work the occasional evening or weekend. 
• You have a flair for social media and can use it effectively to engage new fundraising prospects (always aligned with our brand and values). 

Why Join Us? 

• A small, passionate team that genuinely cares. 
• A flexible, remote-first working culture. 
• Opportunities to grow, learn, and make real change. 
• The chance to play a key role in supporting one of the UK’s most vital yet undervalued workforces. 

Ready to Apply? 

If you’re excited by this opportunity and believe you have what it takes, we’d love to hear from you! Tell us why you’d love to join our team and how your experience and passion align with our mission. 

Together, let’s make sure no care worker faces hardship alone. 

We’re looking for a confident and well-organised fundraiser to help manage and grow our corporate partnerships. You’ll develop relationships with existing and new business supporters, deliver engaging communications, and support the growth of income from companies, all while helping to protect butterflies, moths and the environment we all depend on.

Job Purpose
• Managing and growing relationships with existing corporate donors
• Identifying and developing new corporate support
• Providing an outstanding supporter experience for our corporate supporters

Main Responsibilities
1. To directly manage a portfolio of corporate supporters, ensuring excellent stewardship and customer experience in order to meet agreed income targets and KPIs and maximise income for BC.

2. Develop and prepare tailored cases for support, proposals, reports and bespoke updates and communications to donors.

3. Identify, nurture, develop and manage new and existing corporate supporters including producing and communicating inspiring funding opportunities aimed at specific organisations.

4. Negotiate and deliver partnership agreements ensuring delivery against agreed targets and a good return on investment for the charity.

5. Monitor income targets and activities for Trading and Corporate fundraising including reporting to the BC Trading Company Board.

6. In conjunction with the Digital Manager, manage BC’s website shop portals and commercial partnerships to ensure a good level of royalties, proactive marketing, and supply of ethically sourced and sustainable goods.

7. Liaise with Communications and PR Team to ensure effective promotion of corporate and business agreements and timely reporting back on campaigns.

8. Update and maintain records of all business and corporate approaches, communications and agreements on the CRM and appropriate files.

9. Advise Branch volunteers where they seek to establish business support for their activities.

10. Where required, develop and/or follow policies and procedures on due diligence, data management, account management, stewardship, and reporting.

PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools) is on a mission to expand access to quality education across sub-Saharan Africa so all children enjoy an education that unlocks their full potential.

As Partnerships Lead – Philanthropy / Fundraising Manager – Major Gifts, you will play a central role in growing PEAS income from philanthropists and private foundations, to support our ambitious global strategy.

Working as part of a small, collaborative and high-performing global Partnerships Team, you’ll take the lead in building new philanthropic relationships and deepening existing ones—helping to raise over £7 million annually to support education in Uganda, Zambia, Ghana, and beyond. You’ll work closely with colleagues across the UK, US, and Africa to shape PEAS' fundraising strategy, identify new opportunities, and craft compelling communications and pitches to gain funding support.

This is a unique opportunity for an entrepreneurial and creative fundraiser with a proven track record in securing support from major donors and foundations. You’ll have the freedom to innovate, backed by a strong, supportive team culture where “everyone’s a fundraiser.”

If you’re excited by the chance to grow something impactful and work across continents with a mission-driven team, we’d love to hear from you.

Please find more information on this exciting role and requirements in the attached job pack below.

The Eikon Charity supports children and young people in Surrey to feel safe, heard, and supported. Through one-to-one support, group work, and programmes in schools, they help children build confidence, resilience, and the skills they will need to navigate life’s challenges.

Following a period of growth, the trusts and foundations team now plays a pivotal role in The Eikon Charity’s £1m income strategy. This Trust Fundraiser role will join a three-person team within the broader Engagement function. With a 50/50 split between account management and new business, the postholder will manage a mix of warm and prospective funders, creating compelling proposals and impact reports to secure mostly restricted income.

The successful candidate will inherit a portfolio with long-standing funders and committed support. With a personal target of £150k, this role offers real scope to uplift existing relationships and secure new ones.

The charity is open to applicants from other fundraising disciplines – whether you’re a confident communicator with excellent writing skills, or an early-career fundraiser ready to develop, this is a great opportunity to make a difference within a collaborative and mission-driven team.

As Trust Fundraiser, you will:

• Deliver c.£150k annually through a balance of account management and new business
• Write tailored funding proposals and detailed reports to secure restricted and unrestricted grants
• Steward relationships with clarity and professionalism, organising funder meetings and engagement opportunities
• Research and develop a pipeline of prospects, focusing on Surrey-based trusts and foundations
• Work closely with delivery and engagement teams to gather insight, data, and stories that bring proposals to life
• Maintain accurate CRM records and contribute to reporting, planning, and internal analysis
• Support strategic planning for the team and contribute to a shared fundraising vision

Ideal skills and experience:

• Fundraising experience, with strengths in written communication and/or relationship management
• Proven ability to write persuasive funding proposals and impact reports, drawing on service delivery data
• Confident in meetings and able to represent an organisation to external stakeholders
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills
• Good working knowledge of CRMs and Microsoft 365
• Interest in services supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
• A collaborative and proactive approach to working with colleagues across departments

Benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Enhanced sick leave and pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work scheme

OUTLINE OF THE ROLE

Work with the Trustees to devise and lead new fundraising initiatives that fulfil the objectives of the Trust's Fundraising Strategy and annual income budget, with particular focus on regular giving across all alumni, gifts from high-net-worth individuals, and legacies. This will involve:

• Developing and delivering improved communications to build a stronger connected donor network.

• Locating, engaging and retaining alumni to support and promote the Trust, focused on ensuring their long-term impact on the Trust and its beneficiaries.

• Work with the Trustees/Trust Fundraising Committee to devise and implement new fundraising initiatives.

• Work with the Trustees/Trust Fundraising Committee to identify and engage new volunteers to support the Trust's activities.

KEY TASKS

Work with the Trustees and Fundraising Committee to devise and implement the following:

• Improve communications

The Trust has a strong, growing, and engaged network of loyal alumni who already support the Trust's beneficiaries through fundraising and volunteering. However, the Trust's communications need to be improved in order to increase the numbers of donors who provide sustained financial support and inspire all donors to raise their level of donations. Continually find opportunities to engage new donors and ensure clear consistent messaging.

• Manage and maintain donor data

The Trust needs to maintain a full and accurate database of all donors and fundraising activities to support long-term tracking and inform future fundraising. This also requires networking among alumni and being vigilant to changes in alumni data.

• Research and approach alumni whose connection with the Trust has lapsed

Continue to grow the active network through researching and motivating dormant and lapsed alumni to reconnect with the Trust.

• Research untapped prospects

Research the database with a view to identifying dormant and untapped opportunities, especially regarding

high-net-worth individuals and legacies. Ensure fundraising approaches are well-targeted and informed in order to maximise the chances of success. This will expand to include non-alumni sources, including institutional sources such as foundations and other trusts.

• Ensure long-term donor connection

Communicate with all donors to demonstrate the impact they can make by showcasing the current and long-term outcome of programs. Deliver a diverse selection of communications to engage different audiences, with a clear plan for all members of the network. Ensure donors are connected to the Trust, value the Trust's activities and actively help fund opportunities.

• Reporting to the Trustees

Create an annual donor impact report to the Trustees, and other stakeholders such as alumni, that delineates donor statistics, reviews communications and events that have taken place during the past year and identifies potential prospects and events for developing in the coming year. Also provide a lower-level oral report of fundraising activities and communications to the Trustees at their quarterly meetings.

• Deliver income growth target

Acquire enough new donations to meet agreed annual income growth targets set by the Trustees.

You will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the charity and its overall objectives. For instance, organizing fund-raising specific events in different regions. This position could evolve into a full-time commitment with a support team, but at the present time, support to this role will be provided through the existing network of volunteers.

Inspire transformational giving. Lead strategic partnerships. Drive meaningful impact.

We're partnering with a national charity to recruit a visionary and results-driven Head of High Value Fundraising. This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-performing team and spearhead income growth across corporate partnerships, major donors, and trusts and foundations, delivering life-changing support for people affected by a complex and life-shortening neurological condition.

About Them

They are a UK-wide charity dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by a progressive neurological disease. Their mission is to fund vital research, campaign for better care, and provide support to individuals and families navigating the challenges of this condition. With a passionate community of supporters and partners, they are committed to creating a world where no one faces this disease alone.

Location: Northampton or London (Hybrid)
Hours: 37 per week | Contract: Permanent
Salary: £66,200 per annum
Reports to: Director of Income Generation
Direct reports: Corporate Partnerships Development Manager, Grants & Trusts Manager, Philanthropy Manager, Support Services Manager

The Role

As Head of High Value Partnerships, you will:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive high-value fundraising strategy to achieve ambitious income targets
• Lead a proactive acquisition approach to build a robust pipeline of six- and seven-figure prospects
• Identify and cultivate new opportunities across corporates, major donors, and trusts
• Collaborate across the organisation to create compelling fundraising propositions and assess impact
• Manage your own portfolio of high-value donors while supporting your team to do the same
• Oversee stewardship events and ensure excellent donor engagement and reporting
• Develop bids and tenders for statutory, trust, and other funders
• Monitor performance across all high-value streams and report insights to stakeholders
• Build and lead a collaborative, high-performing team aligned with organisational values
• Work closely with the Executive Leadership Team and trustees to engage and steward key partners
• Ensure compliance with fundraising regulations and best practices

They're Looking For

Fundraising Expertise:

• Proven success in growing income and stewarding donors in at least two of the following: corporate partnerships, major gifts, trusts/foundations
• Strong preference for experience in corporate and major donor fundraising

Leadership & Team Development:

• Experience leading high-performing teams through change
• Inspirational leadership style with a collaborative, solutions-focused approach

Relationship Management & Collaboration:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to build strong internal and external relationships and co-create opportunities

Strategic & Analytical Skills:

• Strong planning and financial acumen
• Data-driven decision-making and a track record of income growth

Personal Attributes:

• Entrepreneurial, adaptable, and comfortable with change
• Passionate about making a difference

Operational Skills:

• Budget management and CRM/database proficiency
• Experience in the health or social care charity sector is desirable

Benefits include:

• 28 days of annual leave (increasing to 33 after 5 years), plus Bank Holidays
• Access to UK Healthcare covering dental, eyecare, and Health & Wellbeing services
• 24/7 phone and video GP service
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines
• Salary sacrifice schemes like Cycle to Work and Buy/Sell Annual Leave
• Benefit Hub for lifestyle discounts
• Enhanced pension scheme
• A wealth of training and personal growth opportunities

Ready to lead transformational change?

If you're excited by the opportunity to shape a high-value fundraising strategy that delivers real-world impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Send your CV to Priya at Charity People

This role is being advertised on a rolling basis, and applications will be shared as and when received. The role may also close early, so if this impacts you in any way, please contact Priya.

Provisional closing date: 15th of July

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.

Royal Voluntary Service has an opportunity available for a Legacy Manager to join our team. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis, and in return, you will receive a salary from £42,810 per annum

About the Legacy Manager role:

The Public Fundraising team are responsible for recruiting and stewarding new supporters in order to secure long-term income and growth. The fundraising team has real ambition to grow and develop, and Legacy and  In-memory giving will form a key part of these plans.

You will lead on the development and implementation of a new Legacy & In Memoriam fundraising strategy that will

support our vision to grow income in this area. To do this you will be an ambitious, confident and experienced Legacy fundraiser with a passion for excellent customer experience and a natural collaborator. You will be

great at building relationships with internal and external stakeholders. You will work with teams across the charity to establish potential within our existing networks as well as reaching new audiences.

This is an opportunity to build and shape Legacy and In-mem giving at Royal voluntary service. You will be responsible for putting together plans to acquire new donors as well as building comprehensive stewardship plans for legacy pledgers and in-memoriam donors.  You will have experience of delivering legacy events, marketing and setting and meeting ambitious KPI’s.

The role will work closely with the Head of Public Fundraising, research and implementing other new Legacy and in memoriam opportunities. All legacy administration is handled externally.

Location: This role is Home based with occasional national travel

Hours: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week

Benefits

• 26 days’ holiday (pro rata) plus paid statutory Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Ten weeks’ company sick pay following successful completion of probation
• A great pension scheme
• 2 x Salary Death in Service Benefit, subject to qualification
• Enhanced Family Leave schemes
• An employee benefits package that gives access to an exclusive rewards website to get discounts and cashback online
• A 24-hour doctor line, financial support with dental/optical and other therapies
• A free and confidential employee assistance programme with up to six face-to-face sessions counselling included
• Extensive online and on the job training to ensure you will succeed in your role
• Opportunities to discuss flexible working
• Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career
• The chance to make a positive, lasting impact that changes lives, communities and society

What you'll bring as our Legacy Manager :

Knowledge

• Experience of developing and managing a mixed Legacy and In-Mem Marketing portfolio.
• Experience of stewarding legacy prospects to become pledgers
• Excellent knowledge of GDPR, Fundraising Regulator guidelines, and other fundraising standards.
• A good understanding of working across a variety of fundraising channels; including digital, email, social media, direct mail, telemarketing, and SMS.
• A good understanding of using Charity CRMs.
• Proven record of managing agencies
• Proven track record of planning and delivering events
• A proven track record of delivering successful legacy and in memory fundraising programmes
• Understanding of UK legacy and in memory giving market including future trends and direction.
• Ability to report and analyse online and offline campaigns, including interpreting results, applying learnings and making recommendations to increase income.
• Ability to design, develop and deliver training and development activities for both staff and volunteers.
• Proven track record of delivering legacy cultivation events

Skills

• An excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing, and able to build and develop strong working relationships across an organisation.
• Strong public speaking skills and experience of speaking at events for volunteers and supporters .
• A self-motivator with excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise and deliver multiple projects to schedule.

Experience

• At least 5 years’ fundraising experience especially in legacy and in memory fundraising
• Experience of integration of legacy & in memory fundraising promotion across an organisation
• Experience of working in a dispersed charity with operational volunteers
• Experience of working with volunteers in a fundraising capacity.
• Experience or understanding of the nature of home/remote working.

Please refer to the role profile available to view on this vacancy for full details of this opportunity.

If you feel have the skills and experience to become our Legacy Manager  please click ‘apply’ today, we’d love to hear from you!

The closing date for this role is Friday 4th July 2025. However, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

At Royal Voluntary Service our goal is to welcome everyone and build inclusive and diverse teams. We celebrate difference and encourage everyone to join us and be themselves at work. To find out more about our commitment to EDI, visit our website.

Join Royal Voluntary Service and together we can change lives, change communities and change society.

About Starlight

Starlight is the UK’s leading children’s healthcare charity focused on the power of play. We support children to experience moments of joy and resilience through play during hospital stays, treatment and recovery. Play helps children cope, reduces trauma and anxiety, and improves engagement with healthcare.

Despite its impact, play is often overlooked in healthcare settings. Our work ensures that every child’s right to play is protected and prioritised – because play isn’t just fun, it’s fundamental.

Our Culture

We believe that our success depends upon focusing on our purpose and business results. We take individual and collective responsibility for a culture where everyone can belong, feel safe and thrive. Our values are the agreed standards that govern our behaviour and are central to our decision-making and the choices that we make. Our colleague development programme focuses on individual awareness of our own values, strengths, and preferences –what makes us who we are – to help all colleagues think for themselves, manage their environment, and make appropriate, balanced decisions for themselves, others and Starlight. We believe that our strength is in our differences and constantly strive towards an authentic workplace culture with equity, diversity, and inclusion as central principles.

The Philanthropy Manager will join our recently established Philanthropy and Partnerships (P&P) team to help us develop and nurture a range of corporate and philanthropic relationships. Together, we will significantly increase our income in support of the world leading research, treatment, and care that takes place across our hospitals in areas such as: childhood cancer, rare diseases, neonatal and maternal health, children and young people’s mental health, and critical care.

We’re looking for an experienced Philanthropy Manager to play a pivotal role in securing significant philanthropic income from high-net-worth individuals and charitable trusts and foundations to support the vital work of our hospitals. Leading a team of three, this role is responsible for cultivating and managing existing high-value philanthropic relationships, expanding our high-value networks and further embedding a culture of philanthropy across our hospitals and charity.

The ideal candidate will have strong understanding and experience in working with high-net-worth individuals to secure 5-6 figure gifts. Communication skills (both verbally and in writing) ideally gained within a fundraising or sales/business development environment. They will be a self-starter with an appetite to make unsolicited approaches to individuals, along with the ability to develop and grow lasting relationships with high-net-worth individuals, charitable trust and foundations.  They will have strong time management skills, a motivation to work towards and achieve targets, and an appreciation of working for the NHS.

Are you an experienced and passionate fundraiser with a talent for creating connections and building strong relationships? If so, we'd love to hear from you!

As part of Girlguiding's wider Fundraising department, this role will focus on fundraising through Trusts, Foundations, and Statutory opportunities. We're looking for someone who has experience in raising philanthropic income and who is passionate about creating change and opportunity for girls and young women across the UK.

Key responsibilities

You'll work closely with colleagues across Girlguiding's incredible organisation to identify, secure, and steward grants. You'll support our team to:

• create high-quality, well researched and well written funding proposals
   
• proactively lead on prospect research for projects across the organisation who can join us and help empower and support girls and young women

• manage relationships with significant funders, to ensure high quality and deliver outstanding stewardship
   
• utilise database and administrative skills to contribute to excellent record keeping
   
• develop strong market and fundraising intelligence to further support wider new business as well as existing relationships
   
• work closely with colleagues across the executive and senior leadership team, understanding the importance of stakeholder engagement

This is a fantastic opportunity for the right individual to bring their skills, experience and passion for trusts fundraising to make a significant difference to the lives of girls and young women. We are looking for a dynamic, passionate person with excellent communication and interpersonal skills who wants to be part of a friendly, ambitious and fun department.

We offer flexible work arrangements, which can be office-based or hybrid – we're open to flexible working applications. 

Apply today and be part of something truly special, to help girls know that they can do anything!

Want to change how the world talks about migration?

The Migrant Futures Institute at Goldsmiths is hiring a Development Manager to help grow our work reshaping narratives around migration through creative practice and research. If you have experience in philanthropy, partnerships, or strategy—and care about justice, culture, and representation—this is for you.

What makes Goldsmiths unique? 

Goldsmiths is a world-renowned university that has a reputation for rigorous and innovative academic work; creativity has long been our hallmark. Academic excellence and imaginative course content combine to make a place where creative minds can thrive. 

About the Migrant Futures Institute 

The Migrant Futures Institute (MFI) is being established at Goldsmiths in 2025 thanks to a major philanthropic commitment by Oak Foundation in academic year 2024-25.

The MFI is set to be a beacon of rigorous research, innovative policy solutions, and creative approaches to understanding and reshaping migration discourse. Through collaborative research and creative practice, the MFI engages directly with migrant organisations and communities, working with them to generate new knowledge, cultivate understanding, and support their well-being, creative and work aspirations. 

About the Role 

Building on an 8-figure philanthropic commitment made by Oak Foundation, the Development Manager will play a key role in securing the long-term viability and success of the Migrant Futures Institute. Working with the Director of Development and Alumni Relations and the MFI Director, the post holder will ensure that fundraising is an embedded strategic priority. They will develop and deliver outcome-led fundraising strategies that work within the broader University fundraising and communications environment and achieve philanthropic fundraising targets. 

About the Candidate 

You will demonstrate your ability to make things happen, to manage and move relationships forward, to communicate inspiring messages and build warm relationships that deliver support for the Migrant Futures Institute at Goldsmiths. Your dynamic and proactive approach will be combined with a track record of delivering successful fundraising campaigns and experience of building partnerships and delivering support, ideally in an academic context, but transferrable skills from candidates looking to move into the sector are also welcomed. Understanding of and insight into the discourses, civic and academic organisations and issues related to migration in society would also be advantageous.   

We strongly encourage applications from colleagues from racialised, minority ethnic backgrounds, especially those with migrant, refugee or diasporic backgrounds and experiences. Advancing equality and celebrating diversity are central values at Goldsmiths, University of London. 

Closing Date: midday 21 July

Reports to: Chief Executive

Hours of work: 0.8 FTE (30hrs per week) (flexible for the right candidate)

Holidays: Uncapped annual leave, plus two week-long shutdowns

Main work address: Hybrid - a mix of remote working and time at our Abingdon office. The role involves regular travel across Oxfordshire to meet funders, partners, and community supporters, and occasional evening or weekend work for events and networking.

Closing date: midday 21 July

Interviews: w/c 28 July or w/c 4 August

About Quest for Learning
Quest for Learning is an education charity on a mission to close the gap for primary school children in Oxfordshire who are falling behind - often due to complex and compounding disadvantage. Many of the children we support are growing up in poverty, with limited access to books, low parental literacy, and challenging home environments. Some face health inequalities, live in areas affected by crime, or have recently arrived in the UK as refugees or asylum seekers.

We work closely with schools to provide targeted, high-impact literacy and numeracy programmes that give these children the chance to catch up, thrive, and believe in their potential. On average, our small-group tutoring helps pupils make 13 months of progress in just 10 hours - building not only essential skills, but also confidence, motivation, and a renewed sense of possibility.

The impact extends well beyond the classroom. By supporting children early, we help prevent the need for more complex and costly interventions later in life, from mental health support to exclusion and social care. Our work contributes to stronger, fairer communities by giving every child the foundation they need to participate fully in society. In doing so, we are advancing social sustainability and helping to meet global goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals for Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, and Good Health and Wellbeing.

Role Purpose

This is a hands-on and outward-facing role for a confident, capable fundraiser ready to lead Quest for Learning’s income generation efforts. As our sole dedicated fundraiser, you’ll take ownership of securing income across a broad mix of streams - including trusts and foundations, community fundraising, individual giving, and corporate partnerships.

You’ll be out and about representing the charity, building relationships with local businesses, community groups, and supporters, and bringing our mission to life with energy and clarity. You'll need to be a proactive self-starter who enjoys meeting people, thrives in a varied role, and is motivated by delivering results that improve life chances for disadvantaged children.

This is a busy and varied role which often involves working on multiple fundraising activities at once. A typical day could include working on an application to a new funder, designing a supporter newsletter, gathering information for an end of grant report, and researching new prospects.

This role would suit someone with experience of securing funding, managing funder relationships, and developing new opportunities - all with a focus on practical delivery. You’ll work closely with the CEO, leadership and programme teams, and our board of trustees to help grow a diverse and sustainable income base.

Key Responsibilities

Trusts and foundations

• Research and identify prospective funders, building a robust pipeline
• Write and submit compelling, tailored funding applications
• Deliver timely, high-quality reports with evidence of impact
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders through clear, proactive stewardship
• Monitor success rates and financial information and adapt strategy to improve performance

Community fundraising

• Initiate and grow partnerships with local community groups (e.g. WIs, Rotary clubs, schools, churches)
• Support or coordinate local fundraising events and campaigns (e.g. fun runs, quizzes, coffee mornings)
• Attend community events to represent the charity and engage new supporters
• Equip and support individuals and groups to fundraise on our behalf

Corporate partnerships and other earned income

• Build relationships with local and regional businesses to secure sponsorship, gifts-in-kind or Charity of the Year support
• Develop creative, mutually beneficial opportunities to engage corporate partners
• Work with the CEO and board to identify and cultivate prospects
• Explore other potential income streams including education consultancy or training offers

Individual Giving and supporter engagement

• Support the development of campaigns to encourage donations from individuals
• Help create a compelling case for support across our communications
• Identify opportunities to increase visibility and supporter base (e.g. speaking engagements, community fairs)
• Ensure Quest for Learning is regularly engaging with our supporters
• Champion the use of storytelling and pupil outcomes to inspire giving

Marketing and communications (fundraising-focused)

• Develop fundraising messaging and materials with the CEO and team
• Lead on all communications relating to fundraising and supporter engagement
• Ensure consistent branding and tone across all fundraising-related comms
• Share our impact with passion and clarity to motivate supporters

Planning and systems

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in our Beacon CRM
• Track income performance and contribute to budgeting and forecasting
• Create and deliver realistic workplans to manage multiple deadlines
• Liaise with programme staff to gather data and stories for funders
• Report on income and fundraising activities to CEO and trustees

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience in fundraising, with a track record of securing income across multiple streams
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain our mission clearly and persuasively to a wide range of audiences
• Excellent bid writing and reporting skills
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Confidence in networking, public speaking, and relationship-building
• Proactive, self-motivated, and happy to work independently
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Values-led, personable and enthusiastic - able to represent the charity with warmth and professionalism

Desirable

• Experience working in a small charity or education setting
• Knowledge of the Oxfordshire funding landscape or local networks
• Experience with community fundraising, challenge events, or individual giving
• Skills in Canva, Mailchimp or similar content creation tools
• Familiarity with Beacon or similar fundraising CRMs
• Understanding of primary education and the barriers disadvantaged children face
• Experience producing fundraising workplans or reports for trustees

Why work with us?

Quest for Learning is a friendly, values-led education charity with a big mission and a supportive culture. We’re committed to flexibility, wellbeing and professional growth, and we believe in helping our team thrive while doing meaningful work.

We offer:

• Unlimited annual leave (minimum 28 days pro rata, plus bank holidays), with full charity shutdowns in August and at Christmas
• Flexible hybrid working with autonomy over your schedule
• A culture of trust, kindness, and high standards
• Opportunities to test ideas, develop skills and shape a growing organisation