Fundraising research volunteer roles

Rural Watch Africa Initiative (RUWAI)

Rural Watch Africa Initiative (RUWAI) empowers rural communities to fight poverty, restore degraded land, and build climate resilience through sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, and eco-friendly livelihoods. By addressing deforestation, climate vulnerability, rural unemployment, food insecurity, and gender inequality, RUWAI equips farmers, women, and youth with the skills and tools to regenerate ecosystems while boosting local economies. Its programs include land restoration with agroforestry, sustainable beekeeping to protect pollinators, climate-smart agriculture, and green livelihoods like agro-processing and eco-tourism. Through training, youth engagement, and policy advocacy, RUWAI promotes inclusive, community-driven development—creating a future where people and nature thrive together.

Grant Specialist

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

Grant Writer/Fundraising Volunteer

Role Description

Rural Watch Africa Initiative (RUWAI) is seeking a passionate and skilled Grant Writer/Fundraising Volunteer to support our mission of restoring ecosystems, empowering rural communities, and advancing climate resilience in Nigeria. The volunteer will play a vital role in identifying funding opportunities, crafting compelling proposals, and building relationships with donors and funding partners.

Key Responsibilities: Research Funding Opportunities: Identify and monitor grant opportunities from foundations, international donors, corporations, and government agencies aligned with RUWAI’s mission. Proposal Development: Draft, edit, and submit high-quality grant proposals, concept notes, letters of inquiry, and donor communications. Donor Engagement Support: Assist in developing pitch materials, case statements, and progress reports to engage current and prospective donors. Collaboration with Team: Work closely with program leads to gather relevant data, impact stories, and budget details for funding proposals. Grant Calendar Management: Help maintain a calendar of deadlines and reporting requirements, ensuring timely submissions. Reporting and Documentation: Contribute to writing donor reports, impact summaries, and narrative updates to strengthen funder relationships. Fundraising Strategy Input: Offer ideas to diversify and strengthen RUWAI’s fundraising efforts, including exploring crowdfunding, partnerships, or campaigns. Ideal Candidate Should Have: Excellent written communication and storytelling skills. Experience in grant writing, fundraising, or nonprofit communications (preferred but not required). Strong research and organizational abilities. Passion for sustainability, rural development, and environmental justice. Self-motivated, collaborative, and detail-oriented.

Weekly Time Commitment

10+ hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

6+ months

ABOUT THE ROLE

Working closely with the Grants Managers and under the Head of Fundraising and other members of the senior Volunteer Grant Team, the Grants Coordinator (Unpaid Volunteer) will research, write grants, maintain, and coordinate fundraising efforts for AHO, with a target of a £5m yearly income by the end of 2030.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The role of Grants Coordinator (Unpaid Volunteer) will research, maintain and coordinate

• Research, write and manage a pipeline of trusts and foundations, aid grants and public sector tenders and contracts that offer unrestricted and programmatic funding.
• Initiate new and manage existing relationships with trusts and other grant-making bodies through emails, calls, meetings, and attendance at events.
• Organise and lead regular fundraising meetings with the Head of Fundraising and the senior team.
• Write and lead on applications, bringing together information and expertise from colleagues as necessary.
• Lead and manage the reporting process to existing funders, bringing together input from colleagues as necessary.
• Attend and assist with public-facing events organised by AHO or others when necessary.
• Work with the senior team to write compelling concept notes and presentations for new areas of work.
• Work with staff and Volunteers across AHO to produce compelling and successful fundraising bids.
• Closely monitor deadlines for applications and reporting, proactively and confidently liaising with relevant staff for timely and high-quality submissions.
• Identify new opportunities for unrestricted and project funding from a range of sources, including trusts, grants and charitable foundations; European, national and local government; individual supporters; and commercial opportunities. 
• Develop and maintain general content and resources in line with branding, such as presentations and texts for staff to reference and share with potential funders.
• Contribute to quarterly Board papers through pipeline updates and the CEO's report.
• Contribute on an ad hoc basis to any other reasonable activity as requested by senior staff.
• Very occasional travel to Africa and other Diaspora for work with our sister organisation, AHO EU and to regions in England where colleagues are based.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Key Competencies

•   Experience in awarding, managing or applying for grants.
•   Experience in awarding, managing or applying for grants.
•   Strong knowledge of UK, EU, and US legislation, accounting requirements and good practice relating to grant awarding and reporting.
•   Experience in using a CRM system or database.
•   Experience in efficiently managing and delivering grant-funded projects and programmes in low settings
•   Ability to work unsupervised, a motivated self-starter, with robust problem-solving, administrative, and multi-tasking skills and is good at follow-through.
•   Excellent analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to assimilate and digest large volumes of information.
•   Strong attention to detail and strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage workload effectively and to work with changing priorities and time pressures.
•   Ability to occasionally adjust working hours to fit with multiple time zones as required.
•   Strong written and communication skills.  You will be able to present information in a compelling way through proposals, memos and PowerPoint presentations. 
•   Ability to communicate effectively with people from different cultures and backgrounds
•   Desire to contribute to new ideas and ways of working to develop improved models, processes and use of technology in grant-making.
•   Outstanding partnership management skills, with the ability to support and establish highly collaborative internal and external partnerships.
•   Experience with databases/grant-management systems is desirable but not necessary.
•   Financial and budget management skills are desirable but not necessary.
•   Ability in English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Swahili, and Chinese is desirable but not necessary.

At Finance Innovation Lab we believe in a financial system that serves people and planet. Our financial system has become disconnected from the real needs of people, the environment, the wider economy and society. It doesn’t have to be this way. Could you help us change it?

About the roles

We’re looking for up to three new trustees to join our board from January 2026. Fully remote participation is possible.

You'll use your expertise to help the Lab be more effective and impactful, while gaining insights into our work and experience of charity governance and leadership. During 2026, there may also be an opportunity to take on the role of Chair, co-Chair, or Vice Chair.

All roles are voluntary, with reasonable expenses reimbursed, including childcare or other caring costs if this is needed to attend meetings.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking in particular for people with experience in:

• Financial sector policy: at the Lab, we work to change the policies and rules which shape and govern the financial system, so it can deliver more socially, economically and environmentally just outcomes. Do you have experience developing, influencing or driving government policy, legislation or regulation for the financial sector?  This could be either from within or outside the mechanisms of power. Could you help us to achieve our goals?

• Communications: effective communications are key to our work, and an area where we're looking to grow and improve. If you've got experience in media or digital comms, and would be willing to support and mentor the team as we develop our skills and capacity, we'd love to hear from you.

• Fundraising: the majority of our funding currently comes from trusts and foundation grants, plus we’re working on building our earned income streams. In future we’d also like to explore individual giving. Do you have relevant experience in these areas you’d enjoy sharing?

We’re also keen to hear from candidates with the relevant expertise to join our Finance and Operational Risk Committee, and/or our Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion working group. You can read more about these in the attached Trustee Recruitment Pack.

We recognise that people's backgrounds and the identities they hold have a significant effect on the ways that they experience and are impacted by the financial system. We know that our own work will be stronger if it is directly informed by a diversity of perspectives, including from those most negatively impacted by the current financial system. We therefore particularly welcome applications from people with backgrounds or identities that are currently under-represented on our board and team, including those from Global Majority backgrounds, neurodivergent people, disabled and/or chronically ill people, those with lived experience of financial exclusion, and women and non-binary genders. For info, you can find the results of our 2024 diversity survey results on our website.

You must feel confident in supporting the team and the board by providing advice and input on your areas of expertise, based on your experience. However, previous experience of serving on a board of trustees is not required, and we provide training and mentoring on fulfilling the obligations required of a trustee.

Our Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We believe that justice, equity, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to what we are trying to achieve.

We are committed to providing equality and fairness for all and not to discriminate on any grounds, including gender, marital status, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, mental health, religion or age.

You can read more about this, including the concrete steps we commit to during this process, in the Trustee Recruitment Pack.

Why does this role matter to Human Appeal? 

Volunteers are an integral part of Human Appeal’s success. They are the ones that create real change for those most in need. This is your chance to meet new people, gain new skills and experience and have fun whilst being part of a great cause.

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, fast learning Senior Engagement Intern, Midlands & Wales intern to join our growing team at Human Appeal; helping us with admin tasks, recruitment of volunteers for events and online fundraising campaigns, research for various upcoming events and help with general tasks.

Main tasks include: 

• Administrative tasks such as collating data, contacting signups for various challenges, deployments and events. 

• Assist with administrational tasks relating to fundraising

• Research venues, catering and other fundraising related tasks for upcoming events 

• May be asked to go to occasional events dependent on location 

Knowledge/Experience/Skills required: 

• A good understanding of humanitarian relief

• Effective written and oral communication skills 

• Problem solving skills 

• Ability to prioritise your workload 

Benefits of volunteering with us: 

• Experience of operating within the Fundraising department of an international charity 

• Opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in Fundraising

• Excellent support as part of a friendly team 

• Excellent training opportunities 

• Offer to provide references after 3 months of volunteering 

• Support in developing your CV (should you want it) 

• Opportunities to take part in Human Appeal events 

Learning & Development: 

To enable you to take part in this opportunity Human Appeal will provide:

• A detailed induction to provide you with an overview of Human Appeal 

• Training and shadowing providing all the information and skills needed to fulfil the role

• A dedicated member of staff to provide ongoing support and supervision 

• Payment of “out of pocket” expenses in line with Human Appeal’s expenses policy 

• A volunteer handbook that outlines all of the policies and procedures you will need to be aware of whilst volunteering 

Support our mission to bring light and joy to seriously ill children.

We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Volunteer Researcher to support our Major Gifts team. Your role will be pivotal in identifying and researching prospective major donors and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) who align with our mission. You will help us grow our pipeline of supporters and inform personalised, strategic approaches that lead to meaningful engagement and transformational gifts.

About Us:

Rays of Sunshine is dedicated to brightening the lives of seriously ill young people and their families by granting wishes and providing ongoing support in hospital and within the community. We are seeking a motivated volunteer to support our major gifts team by conducting research and helping to build our partnerships pipeline.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct research on potential major donors and philanthropists using public sources

• Identify individuals, trusts, and networks with an interest in children’s health, wellbeing, or emotional support causes

• Produce concise and insightful research profiles and briefing notes

• Support the preparation of meeting briefs and donor cultivation plans

• Keep our CRM system up to date with relevant research findings

What We’re Looking For:

• Excellent research and analytical skills

• Strong written communication and attention to detail

• Discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive information

• A proactive and curious mindset

• Ideally some understanding or interest in philanthropy, fundraising, or the charity sector

• Previous research experience (academic or professional) is helpful but not essential

What You’ll Gain:

• Experience working in a high-impact fundraising team

• A behind-the-scenes look at major donor engagement and strategy

• Training and support from a passionate, collaborative team

• A chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of seriously ill children and their families

• A reference upon successful completion of your volunteering

Ideal Candidate :

• Strong research and analytical skills
   
• Excellent written and verbal communication
   
• Detail-oriented and organised
   
• Passionate about our mission and eager to learn If you’re ready to make a difference and gain valuable experience please do reach out

Sarcoidosis is a rare inflammatory disease which mostly affects the lungs, although other parts of the body such as the heart, eyes and nervous system can also be involved. It is not properly understood and there is currently no known cure.

SarcoidosisUK is a small charity with big ambitions! We want to make a difference to the lives of those affected by sarcoidosis in the UK by providing information and support, raising awareness and undertaking research into treatments and a cure.  We currently support over 9,000 people online and have strong relationships with both clinicians and patients.

We want to enlarge and strengthen our Trustee Board with the recruitment of new trustees who will bring their skills and passion to the work we do. The Trustee Board sets strategic direction for the charity, acts as guardian of our vision and values, and has responsibility for oversight and governance. 

We want our Trustee Board to represent our community, and welcome applications from anyone with an interest in sarcoidosis. To support the growth of the charity we are particularly looking for experience in the following areas:

· Fundraising in the charity sector

· Branding, marketing and communications

· Strategic development

· Community support and engagement

The Board is friendly and informal and meets online early evening each month for no more than 2 hours. We have a small staff team, currently 3 in number, and therefore Trustees may be asked to provide direct input and expertise on occasion. The role is not remunerated,  however expenses are reimbursed.

If you would like to be a considered as a Trustee for SarcoidosisUK, or would like to find out more about the role, please contact us.

Applications should outline the skills and experience you would bring to the role and tell us why you are personally interested in improving outcomes for those affected by sarcoidosis.

Dive into lasting impact: Fundraise for East London Waterworks Park to create and shape natural swimming ponds, ecological habitats and community gardens

East London Waterworks Park is a volunteer-led charity that has won a 2024 New London Architecture award and raised £2m towards buying land from the Department for Education to transform the 14-acre Thames Water Depot on Lea Bridge Road on the border of Waltham Forest and Hackney, into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming ponds, forest schools and community spaces. 

If you would like to help us develop our digital fundraising and our online offer, would you like to join our fundraising and communications teams in creating and implementing a strategy? We would love to hear from anyone with experience of fundraising online or with enthusiasm and a desire to test things out and learn as you go along. Recently we raised over half a million pounds through our Crowdfunder. Now we are looking to create a sustainable medium term income stream online.

The Fundraising Circle currently meets fortnightly on a Thursday evening on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely. We understand that people may not have a lot of time to give, so we want to find volunteers who could give us one-off or ongoing strategic advice and support.

If you have experience in writing grants and funding applications, corporate fundraising, philanthropy, or any other aspect of fundraising, it would be great to hear from you. 

We are keen fundraisers but we are lacking professional in digital fundraising expertise and experience and we would love your help and input. We would welcome one-off advice on the phone or in person, as well as longer term volunteers. 

East London Waterworks Park is an exciting and ambitious project that offers many rewarding opportunities for our volunteers. You will have a significant impact on the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds and forest schools. 

By leading fundraising projects that explore how diverse professionals (architects, ecologists, web developers, community researchers etc.) collaborate to shape community infrastructure, volunteers will directly contribute to the development of a park that truly reflects the needs and desires of the local community. 

Without funding we won’t be able to make it happen. Your input will help us craft experiences that inspire, educate, and engage our service users, stakeholders, funders, and the general public, ultimately driving support for the park's mission and ensuring its long-term sustainability. So you will be directly contributing to the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds.

Organisation: Willowbrook Farm Charity (Oxfordshire, UK)
Location: Remote (candidates must be UK based)
Time: 3–4 hours per week (flexible) • Minimum 4 months
Expenses: Travel covered for any agreed site visits

About the role
We’re seeking a Volunteer Grants Fundraiser Coordinator to work alongside our Operational Director to identify suitable funders and shape compelling applications for our inclusive, sustainability-focused programmes. You won’t be on your own, you’ll collaborate closely with the Operational Director, using our project briefs, impact data, and templates.

What you’ll do

• Prospect & shortlist relevant trusts/foundations against our priorities

• Read and interpret funder guidelines, eligibility and scoring criteria

• Shape applications to reflect funder requirements and Willowbrook’s needs

• Draft/edit clear, concise proposals (including character-limited answers)

• Help assemble supporting documents and track deadlines/outcomes

• Join a brief weekly check-in with the Operational Director

About you:

• Strong written English and clear, persuasive style

• Able to decode funder requirements and tailor responses accordingly

• Good research and organisational skills; comfortable with simple trackers

• Values-aligned with sustainability, inclusion, and community education

• Grants/bid writing experience helpful (charity, academic, or professional); motivated career-changers also welcome

What you’ll gain

• Real, measurable impact. Your work helps fund ethical farming education, biodiversity projects, and accessible nature-based learning

• Mentoring and collaboration with an experienced Operational Director

• Portfolio-ready bid writing experience and insight into the charity sector

• Flexible, remote role with a supportive team culture

• (References provided for volunteers who contribute for 4+ months)

How to apply
Please visit our website first to read more about us and understand what we do. Apply by sending us a CV and cover letter with your words on why you would like to volunteer with us. 

Closing Date:

We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and applications will be reviewed as they are received.

The Role:

We are currently seeking a Finance Trustee to join our Board as Treasurer. It’s a voluntary role that requires a committed individual with financial expertise to take a collaborative approach, supporting our Trustees, our Head of Finance and Governance, and our management team to oversee the financial affairs of our charity and ensure that they are legal, constitutional, and within accepted accounting practice.

Our Organisation:

Greener and Cleaner delivers locally but thinks, and influences, nationally. Our vision is greener, healthier, better connected communities across the UK. We seek to achieve this through normalising 360-degree sustainable living, bringing the community together to make changes that can deliver a big impact. We have a non-judgemental peer-to-peer approach, so that all elements of the community feel empowered to take action in how they live, work, and play and in how they use their voice to push for change.

Treasurer Role:

The primary role is to ensure alongside other Trustees that they accept ultimate responsibility for the affairs of G&C and ensure that it is solvent, well run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for which it has been set up. As well as fulfilling the duties of a Trustee, the Treasurer ensures that effective and appropriate financial measures, controls, and procedures are put in place and reports to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation.

• Overseeing the presentation of budgets, internal management accounts, and annual financial statements, as produced by the finance team or others where appropriate, to the Board of Trustees
• Ensuring that proper accounting records are kept, and that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place. 
• Liaising with any paid staff about financial matters, as appropriate.
• Ensuring that robust and comprehensive financial policies are in place and being implemented, and supporting the development of policies covering financial reserves, and cost management. 
• Overseeing financial controls and adherence to systems. 
• Drawing any major financial concerns to the attention of the trustee and the management team.
• Ensuring that the charity has appropriate reserves in line with its reserves policy, and monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity. 
• Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan, including overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process.
• Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate investment policy and that investments and assets are maximised.
• Leading on the appointment of and liaison with external auditors. 
• Overseeing the development and implementation of systems for appraising, mitigating, and reporting corporate risk. 
• Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by relevant statutory bodies – for example, the Charity Commission and/or the Registrar of Companies.
• Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities.
• Supporting other Trustees in understanding the charity’s financial position and decision making.
• Contributing to the fundraising strategy of the charity and its ethical fundraising policy.
• Making a formal presentation of the accounts at the Annual General Meeting and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way.

The Person We’re Looking For:

• A finance professional with a firm understanding of charity finance and some experience of fundraising and pension schemes.
• Knowledge of charity fundraising, bid writing, and/or other income generation and/or securing funding through creation or leveraging of partnerships and networks (at a national or local level).
• A strategic thinker with an ability to balance risk and opportunity and the skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences.
• Clear communicator with the ability to explain financial information to members of the Board and other stakeholders.
• Willing to play an active role in areas such as forecasting, setting budgets, and liaising with auditors.

In addition, the Treasurer will also have the responsibilities and qualities of all Trustees.

Responsibilities of All Trustees:

• Demonstrating a commitment to G&C’s objectives
• Contributing to setting the strategic goals and monitoring performance by active participation in Board discussions and decision-making
• Actively assisting the charity to build their connections and partnerships for the purposes of most effectively delivering their goals and fundraising
• Ensuring that G&C complies with its governing documents, the law, and all other relevant documentation
• Helping to identify risks and ensuring appropriate controls are in place
• Helping the Board to make sound decisions by making available their own personal knowledge and experience
• Assisting the Chair to appoint and appraise the performance of the Senior Leadership Team members
• Sharing relevant skills and expertise with the Senior Leadership Team members
• Making all reasonable efforts to attend Board meetings, away days, development meetings, publicity events, and other such public functions as requested by the Chair
• Ensuring the charity’s focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion remains at the heart of its strategy and delivery

Trustee Person Specification:

In addition to the Treasurer role specific above, our Trustees will ideally also demonstrate the following:

• A commitment to the objectives and activities of G&C
• A willingness to devote time and effort to G&C beyond attending board meetings
• Have strategic vision, an ability to think creatively, and an appropriate level of financial literacy
• Understanding of and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of their position
• Have good independent judgement
• Be willing to effectively act as part of a team
• Adhere to the Nolan Principles of public office: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership
• A willingness to allow the Employee/s to make reasonable decisions and to act within the limits prescribed by the Board

To Apply:

To see the full job advertisement with details on how to apply, and to learn more about the role and our organisation, please see the attached supporting documents.

It Gets Better UK is a lived-experience-led LGBT+ youth charity, working to tackle the disproportionate mental health challenges LGBT+ young people face today, through a collection of community-sourced, lived-experience stories; educational programs; and community-building initiatives.

About the role

We’re looking for a volunteer to help build and strengthen relationships with corporate partners who want to support It Gets Better UK. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys connecting with people, spotting opportunities, and helping businesses make a positive impact for LGBTQ+ young people.

What you’ll do

• Research companies whose values align with our mission.
• Support the team with preparing partnership proposals and presentations.
• Help track and maintain relationships with existing partners, including sending thank-yous and updates.
• Identify opportunities for workplace fundraising, volunteering, or pro bono support.

What we’re looking for

• Great communication and organisational skills.
• An interest in relationship-building and networking.
• Enthusiasm for LGBTQ+ equality and the power of storytelling.
• Previous experience in corporate fundraising, partnerships, or business development is helpful but not essential – we can support you to grow in the role.

�� Volunteer with Unify Giving CIC

We’re building a movement of people who believe giving should be simple, human and direct. Our volunteers are at the heart of that.

We don’t care about age, background, or whether you’ve got a perfect CV.
We care about people who want to be part of a team, learn, and create real impact together.

All roles are 5–10 hours a month, minimum 3 months. You’ll be supported by the Volunteer Manager and the wider Unify Giving team.

Finance Lead

Turn resources into impact.

You’ll help Unify Giving grow by identifying grants, supporting with fundraising, and opening doors with businesses who want to back our mission.

What you’ll do:

• Research and apply for funding opportunities.

• Support with corporate fundraising and sponsorship.

• Advise on financial planning for campaigns.

This is for someone who enjoys problem-solving and isn’t afraid of a spreadsheet — but also loves seeing numbers translate into lives changed.

✨ Who we welcome

• No age limit. We believe good ideas and energy can come from anyone.

• Perfect if you’re out of work and want to build skills and confidence.

• A great chance to be part of a supportive team working on something meaningful.

�� If one of these roles feels like you, or like someone you know — we’d love to chat.

The Grants Coordinator plays a crucial role in securing funding for our organization, which is a small but highly effective charity which uniquely acts as the collective voice of the views and concerns of all unpaid Mental Health Carers in the Royal Borough of Kingston. We are recognised in this campaigning role by statutory services who engage us as active members of decision-making committees. We also partner with other relevant organisations.

We assist individual Carers with 1:1 advice, guidance and self-empowerment, also having a monthly Peer-Support Group.

We are keen to further develop our services and, for this, we invite a volunteer with financial experience to help us achieve this. Whilst KMHCF is fully-funded for its present activities, we look for an applicant to guide us towards funding opportunities for our future expansion, and to take the lead on the application process.

This position involves researching and identifying potential funding sources, developing grant proposals, and managing fundraising campaigns. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding and experience of the grant application process, excellent writing and communication skills, and a passion for making a difference in the community.

You would need to be able to produce bids which would, in a competitive arena, entice Grant Funders to want to support our service.

This role would be home-based, but with regular contact with the Management Committee.

It would be good if you have some knowledge of Mental Health issues but this is not essential. Most of all, you should have the enthusiasm to serve Carers who can feel isolated and bewildered.

If you have the desire to make a real difference for Carers, please contact us for an informal discussion as a first step towards joining us.

We are seeking a skilled and passionate Volunteer Trust & Grant Bid Writer to help secure funding that will enable us to continue and grow our life-transforming work in Christian mental health. Working with the Director of Development, the role will involve identifying funding opportunities, preparing compelling grant applications, and helping us build strong relationships with trusts and foundations aligned with our mission.

Mercy UK is a Christian mental health and wellbeing charity, committed to equipping people to live free and stay free through a range of trauma-informed, faith-based support services. From our flagship Freedom Journey programme to practical resources like Keys to Freedom, we support individuals navigating emotional and spiritual challenges and empower churches and Christian organisations to provide meaningful, transformational support.

Key Responsibilities

● Research suitable grant-making trusts and foundations, with a particular focus on those funding mental health, faith-based initiatives, and/or community wellbeing.

● Work closely with the Director of Development to maintain a pipeline of prospective funders.

● Draft high-quality, tailored funding applications that reflect the heart, outcomes, and impact of Mercy UK’s work.

● Collate and interpret project data, outcomes, and financial information to support applications.

● Support the development of template responses and maintain accurate records of submissions and outcomes.

● Assist in preparing follow-up reports or updates required by funders.

What We’re Looking For

● Strong written communication skills with the ability to craft persuasive and inspiring content.

● Attention to detail and the ability to work independently.

● Experience of fundraising through trusts and foundations, or equivalent transferable experience in writing bids or proposals.

● An ability to articulate and represent Christian values and ethos respectfully and effectively in written applications.

● Passion for mental health and wellbeing, and alignment with Mercy UK’s mission and values. 

What You’ll Gain

● The opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a growing, impactful charity.

● Experience in trust and grant fundraising, with support and guidance from our development team.

● A chance to use your skills to directly support the emotional, spiritual, and mental wellbeing of individuals across the UK and beyond.

● References and testimonials for future opportunities.

● Access to Mercy UK’s Employee Assistance Programme with Health Assured

Eco-Activators™ | Waste Lens™

Waste Lens™ is an AI-native platform designed to solve the global waste crisis by automating behavior follow-through at the moment of disposal. Instead of relying on decades-old recycling education or post-disposal management, Waste Lens™ tackles the root cause: wrong disposal decisions that drive $44.2 trillion in global economic damage each year. Using Vision AI and agent-led orchestration, users snap a photo of their waste, the AI identifies it, and specialized agents handle follow-through—diverting materials into recycling, resale, or replacement pathways. This system extends landfill life, reduces tipping costs, cuts emissions, and unlocks revenue by fueling circular and commerce markets. Unlike recycling apps that depend on motivation, Waste Lens™ builds agentic-native, concierge-style experiences with personalized incentives, ensuring scale and adoption. Its B2G2C model allows cities to save on landfill costs while unlocking a captive user base, turning waste from a costly liability into a powerful economic engine for sustainable growth.

Grant & Funding Researcher | Writer

Why This Role Matters: Your work will directly fuel Eco-Activators™’ mission to turn waste into economic value and environmental impact. By securing funding, you’ll help accelerate the launch and scale of Waste Lens™ — an agentic-native, behavior automation platform designed to make diverting waste away from landfill into circular and commerce markets feel effortless.

What You’ll Do:

�� Scout Opportunities — Research and identify relevant grants and other non-dilutive funding avenues across federal, state, local, public, private, nonprofit, and foundation sources in cleantech, climate tech, circular economy, waste reduction, food waste, textiles, AI, and municipal sectors.

�� Build the Calendar — Develop and maintain a calendar of deadlines, requirements, and strategic priorities, organized by funding size, fit, and speed to access.

✍️ Write to Win — Draft compelling, story- and data-driven applications that highlights Waste Lens™’ unique value proposition, market opportunity, and impact potential.

�� Tailor Every Submission — Ensure each application is customized to the specific funder’s focus and criteria (no copy-paste one-size-fits-all).

�� Track & Engage — Monitor application status and advise Founder on how to strengthen our applications through your experience.

Minimum Hours per Week

4-6 hours per week

Duration

3-5 months