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Grade: 4
Salary: £44,080 per year
Position Type: Full-time, 37.5 hours week, Permanent (flexible working considered)
Responsible to: Senior Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager
Direct reports: None
Location: Remote (UK), within reasonable commuting distance to London to accommodate regular donor meetings. This may be up to once a week. Additionally, there will be two trips per year to our HQ in Truro, Cornwall.
ROLE PURPOSE
Sitting within our Philanthropy & Partnerships team, you will play a pivotal role in securing the philanthropic support that makes ShelterBox's work possible. By identifying, qualifying and developing major donor opportunities from our supporter base, networks and wider community, you will help connect more people with our mission to ensure no one is without shelter after disaster.
At the heart of this role is building and strengthening the major donor pipeline. You will proactively analyse data, identify high-potential prospects, uncover valuable connections and work with colleagues across the organisation to create opportunities for supporters to deepen their engagement with ShelterBox. Through strategic prospect research, qualification and relationship building, you will help move individuals from initial interest to meaningful philanthropic partnerships.
Working closely with colleagues across Philanthropy & Partnerships, senior leadership, volunteers and key stakeholders, you will develop and implement tailored cultivation plans that create pathways to giving and maximise the long-term potential of prospective donors. You will support the delivery of bespoke engagement opportunities, proposals and communications drawing on ShelterBox's powerful humanitarian mission, compelling stories and tangible impact to engage diverse audiences and inspire long-term philanthropic support.
You will also play a key role in coordinating the Philanthropy Advisory Board and supporting events and activities that help expand networks, generate introductions and unlock opportunities to engage prospective major donors with ShelterBox's work.
Through strategic pipeline development, relationship building and effective use of data, insight and networks, you will help grow a thriving community of future major donors whose investment enables families affected by disaster, conflict and climate-related crises to access shelter, safety and a foundation for recovery.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We are looking for a proactive and strategic fundraiser with a talent for identifying opportunities, building relationships and developing a strong pipeline of future major donors.
You will be naturally curious and enjoy analysing data, researching prospects and uncovering opportunities to deepen engagement with existing supporters. Equally comfortable networking with supporters, volunteers, senior stakeholders, and professional contacts, you will be confident initiating conversations, and skilled at connecting people to ShelterBox's work whilst creating meaningful pathways towards philanthropy.
You will have excellent communication, influencing and project management skills, enabling you to coordinate multiple prospects, cultivation activities and stakeholder relationships simultaneously. Highly organised and confident using CRM systems, supporter insight and prospect research tools, you will be experienced in managing and progressing a pipeline, ensuring opportunities are effectively qualified, cultivated and moved through the donor journey.
This is an exciting opportunity for a major donor fundraiser who enjoys opening doors, creating new opportunities, building meaningful supporter engagement and converting warm prospects into committed philanthropic supporters whose generosity will help families affected by disaster.
DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
- Effectively manage a portfolio of major donors: developing strong and personal relationships, delivering bespoke stewardship and communication plans to ensure donors feel part of ShelterBox; providing them with inspiring stories, unique engagement opportunities, and strong impact reporting.
- Work with the ShelterBox team and key external influencers, connectors, partners and/or networks to grow and steward the major donor pipeline, cultivating relationships with new audiences.
- Develop a wide range of compelling communications for prospects and existing major donors including proposals, reports, and deliver concise and engaging updates via email, phone and in person.
- Work with the Senior Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager, Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships, Director of Fundraising and Communications, and CEO to steward to the top high-level donors.
- Working with the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships to refine and implement the major donor strategy.
- Work closely with the Stewardship and Research Officer and Philanthropy & Partnerships Assistant to carry out targeted prospect research, and develop bespoke and strategic cultivation plans for prospective donors currently in the pipeline.
- Support with the development and implementation of cultivation and stewardship events to deepen donor engagement and reach new audiences.
- Utilise the grant management system when securing restricted income (i.e. tracking pipeline, asks, restricted income secured, reporting requirements).
- Act as the subject matter expert (SME) to provide knowledge and expertise in major donor fundraising and the wider ShelterBox team (UK and global affiliates).
- Maximise the benefits of the CRM to create and implement cultivation and stewardship journeys for high-level funders, keeping records updated and following Data Protection regulations.
- Be active in the fundraising sector, know and follow the latest fundraising legislation and codes of practice, seek out peer learning and peer mentoring opportunities, network and contribute.
- Represent ShelterBox as required and always work in line with our aims, values and plans.
- As part of an emergency organisation there will be times when you will be required to work evenings and weekends at short notice in response to a disaster
- Any other duties as required which are deemed appropriate to the level and grade of the post.
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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Title: Trusts and Foundations Fundraising Manager
Duty Station: Home-based
Duration: 3 months with possible extension
Reporting to: Director of Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships
Start Date: September 2026
About HelpAge
HelpAge International works with a diverse global network of around 200 organisations across 99 countries to promote the rights of older people to lead dignified, healthy and secure lives.
Through partnership and collaborations, we work to ensure the inclusion of older people across society and strive to deliver a just and fair world for everyone as they get older. Our work is driven by our desire to achieve real impact for older people, to be inclusive, to work in partnership and to learn from our shared experience.
Background
HelpAge International is seeking to diversify and grow philanthropic income from trusts and foundations from the US philanthropic markets.
An initial prospect mapping exercise is currently being undertaken by an external consultant, identifying a broad range of potential trusts, foundations, and philanthropic opportunities. HelpAge aims to build on this work through a short-term assignment that combines prospect qualification with active donor outreach and engagement to assess the level of market interest and develop a robust pipeline for future cultivation.
The assignment will also support the organisation in assessing the value of different funding intelligence platforms through the use of free trial subscriptions.
Purpose of the assignment
- Build on the initial prospect research undertaken.
- Qualify and prioritise prospective trusts and foundations.
- Actively engage with prospective donors to test interest and build relationships.
- Identify funding opportunities aligned with HelpAge International's priorities.
- Develop a realistic cultivation pipeline and recommended engagement strategy.
- Assess the value of fundraising databases to support future investment decisions.
Scope of work
Prospect qualification and research
- Review and refine the existing prospect list.
- Undertake further research to assess:
- strategic fit
- thematic priorities
- geographic focus
- average grant size
- openness to unsolicited approaches
- existing grantees and partnership opportunities.
Prospects should be categorised according to priority and likelihood of success.
Active donor outreach and engagement
Proactively engage with selected prospects to assess donor interest and identify potential opportunities.
This includes:
- drafting and sending introductory emails
- seeking warm introductions through existing contacts and networks
- arranging exploratory meetings
- preparing briefing notes and meeting materials
- following up with prospects following meetings or discussions
- identifying opportunities for further cultivation and relationship development
Records will be maintained of:
- contacts established
- meetings held
- donor feedback
- potential next steps
- indications of interest
Pipeline development
Develop and maintain a prospect pipeline comprising:
· Tier 1 – High Priority Prospects
o Strong strategic alignment and realistic funding potential.
· Tier 2 – Medium Priority Prospects
o Promising opportunities requiring further cultivation.
· Tier 3 – Long-Term Prospects
o Strategic opportunities requiring longer-term relationship building.
For each prospect, provide:
- rationale for prioritisation
- indicative grant size
- likely programme interests
- recommended engagement strategy
- suggested next steps
Opportunity identification
Identify and circulate relevant funding opportunities including:
- trusts and foundations
- challenge funds
- philanthropic collaboratives
- donor-advised funds and intermediary mechanisms
- companies
Funding database assessment
Undertake monthly free trials of fundraising databases and assess their suitability for HelpAge International.
- Instrumentl
- Fundraisio
- Cause IQ
- FundsforNGOs Premium
For each platform assess:
- quality of information
- international coverage
- coverage of US foundations
- ease of use
- value for money
- overall suitability for HelpAge's fundraising strategy
Deliverables
By the end of the assignment:
· Prioritised prospect pipeline
Including:
- high-priority prospects
- medium-priority prospects
- longer-term opportunities
Including recommended engagement strategies and indicative funding potential.
· Donor engagement tracker
Recording:
- outreach undertaken
- meetings secured
- contacts established
- feedback received
- recommended next steps
· Opportunity tracker
Including:
- open calls
- deadlines
- funding priorities
- recommended actions
· Database assessment paper
Comparing the fundraising databases and recommending whether HelpAge should invest in any of them.
· Final Report
Providing:
· key findings
· priority prospects
· donor intelligence and feedback
· recommended cultivation approaches
· suggested next steps for the fundraising team
· recommendations for future investment in trusts and foundations fundraising
Profile and requirements
Essential
- Proven experience securing funding from trusts and foundations
- Experience of cultivating and managing donor relationships
- Knowledge of US and international philanthropy
- Strong prospect research and pipeline management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Desirable
- Experience within international development or humanitarian organisations
- Existing networks within US and international philanthropy
- Knowledge of ageing, health systems, social protection or humanitarian sectors
Safeguarding, Ethics and Compliance
HelpAge International is committed to safeguarding the communities with which we work, our partners, staff, and any others who come into contact with our work.
The Consultant is required to:
· Prevent harm and abuse arising from their work, conduct, or engagement with HelpAge activities;
· Report any safeguarding concerns, incidents, or suspicions promptly through HelpAge’s reporting mechanisms;
· Comply with HelpAge’s Safeguarding Policy and associated frameworks, including the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA);
· Complete any mandatory safeguarding training or briefings as required for the assignment.
In addition, the Consultant is required to adhere to HelpAge International’s key policies and standards, including but not limited to:
· Code of Conduct
· Safeguarding Policy
· Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy
· Anti-Fraud and Bribery Policy
· Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy
· Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy
· Raising a Concern (Whistleblowing) Policy
· Social Media Policy
The Consultant is expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with these policies at all times while engaged with HelpAge.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in termination of the contract and, where appropriate, further action.
Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter outlining their suitability for the consultancy, together with an up-to-date CV and financial proposal (daily rate).
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.