Grants and trusts fundraising manager jobs

Role description:

We are excited to be seeking a talented and motivated individual to join Southampton Hospitals Charity as a Community & Events Fundraising Officer, to help develop and grow this key area by engaging supporters, building strong relationships within the community, and maximising income through creative and impactful fundraising activities.

This opportunity comes at an exciting time within the Charity as we look to grow our team and reach. The post holder will require a good knowledge of fundraising and considerable energy and enthusiasm that will inspire patients, visitors, hospital staff and the local community to choose Southampton Hospitals Charity as their preferred charity.

We are looking for an individual who is as passionate about fundraising as the work we do as a Charity to join our team. This role will be key, as we look to embed our ambitious new strategy to grow our income, reach and impact.

Key tasks and responsibilities

Community & Events

• Working with the Fundraising Manager to develop and implement strategies to support the growth from community fundraising activities.
• Acting as a key point of contact for community fundraisers, providing guidance, resources, and support to help them achieve their goals.
• Develop an annual calendar of participation events, including leading on the creation and delivery of marketing activity for these initiatives to maximise promotion, engagement and income.
• To work closely with the Hospital Engagement team within the Charity Hub to help ensure good cross stewardship, maximise hospital staff participating in events and being on-hand to meet with potential donors.
• Planning, organising and delivering fundraising events, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and meet income targets.
• Support with the recruiting, training and managing event volunteers to ensure successful delivery of events and show them a high standard of care and support to retain them.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with supporters, ensuring excellent stewardship and engagement.
• Identify and develop opportunities to grow the Charity’s supporter base (including working collaboratively with other teams to integrate community and event fundraising with other areas of the organisation).
• Representing the Chairty at external functions, events, giving talks and presentations as required.
• Work closely with the marketing team on the planning and delivery of marketing activity for all fundraising events and initiatives, taking responsibility for generating content, scheduling activity and driving audience engagement.
• Build a robust fundraising pipeline across community and events, monitoring and evaluating the success of fundraising activities, producing regular reports and data analysis.
• Setting and manage income and expenditure for all fundraising initiatives, ensuring cost-effectiveness and profitability.
• Keeping accurate records of donor interactions, income, and expenditure on the charity’s database (Beacon).
• Performing other duties as reasonably required within the role.
• To liaise and manage relationships with external suppliers such as 3rd party event organisers, event companies and venues.

Knowledge and experience

• Experience of increasing income through successful community events, corporate or volunteer fundraising programmes or equivalent transferable experience from another sector.
• A proven track record of delivering an excellent customer/supporter stewardship experience.
• Experience of managing multiple projects and budgets.
• Demonstrable experience using data insight and analysis to inform decision making.
•  Excellent IT skills including using Excel, Word, Outlook and Power Point as well as experience of administering and maintaining dedicated supporter databases.
• Knowledge of a Fundraising Database and knowledge of fundraising regulations.

Skills, abilities, and behaviours

• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to motivate and influence people.
• Ability to build personal, meaningful relationships with colleagues, customers, supporters and donors.
• Ability to adapt quickly and be solutions focussed.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a demanding workload and work on several priorities at once.
• Ability to work as part of team and to use own initiative.
• Knowledge and experience of using a CRM database (Beacon).
• Excellent communication skills with an ability to prepare and deliver compelling presentations and engage with a wide range of audiences.
• Good written skills with the ability to communicate with different stakeholders.
• Self-driven and results orientated with a positive outlook and clear focus on supporters.
•  Willingness to work hard and attend, where necessary commitments outside normal office hours.
• A Full UK driving license and access to a car.

Children and young people in London matter; their voices, experiences, and futures. They deserve every chance to make the most of their lives. But too many young people can't because they don't have the opportunities they need to thrive. That is where transformational youth work comes in offering somewhere to go, something to do, someone to trust. 

London Youth's vision is for all young Londoners to grow up healthy, able to express themselves, navigating a fulfilling career, and making a positive contribution to their communities. 

The Head of Trusts and Foundations plays a pivotal role in the delivery of this vision, leading on the significant growth of restricted and unrestricted funds through this income stream. You will line manage a Trusts & Foundations Manager and a Trusts & Foundations Officer, collaborating closely with them in order to drive success and deliver against target. You will be personally responsible for securing new high value multi-year relationships (six and seven figures) as well as stewarding a range of existing high value relationships. You will also play an important leadership role across the organisation, working with colleagues in all departments to ensure an efficient and effective approach that delivers for children and young people and youth workers and organisations across the capital. 

What you will be doing

• Lead on the development and implementation of a successful trusts and foundations strategy that achieves £2.5m of restricted and unrestricted income by the end of 2026 and delivers growth from 2027. 
• Offer inspirational leadership to the Trusts and Foundations Team, line managing a T&F manager and a T&F officer. 
• Take overall responsibility for developing and managing a robus pipeline of trusts and foundations and statutory funders that enables London Youth to hit its income targets, coordinating the distribution of responsibilities across the team, including the implementation of a quarterly mailout.
• Work in close collaboration with appropriate teams across London Youth to ensure all applications and proposals produced by the team are compelling, accurate, produced to the highest possible standards, and submitted to deadline. 
• Ensure contracts or MOUs are in place with all funders and that all conditions and reporting requirements are clear and met. 
• Ensure all information is recorded in an accurate and timely manner on Salesforce, enabling you to track progress against monthly income targets and KPIs, and expertly steward and manage all relationships with funders. 
• Lead on the development of the annual Trusts and Foundations budgets and the monthly review of management accounts for your area. 
• Produce appropriate reports and presentations for team, directorate, senior team, committee, and board meetings. 
• Prepresent the fundraising team in leadership team meetings and senior meetings as appropriate when required. 
• Contribute to wider fundraising and communications led activities such as site visits, Lunch and Learn sessions, the London Youth Awards, and external networking opportunities. 
• Ensure you and your team understands the external funding environment, spotting trends, identifying opportunities, and making informed strategic recommendations for how London Youth should be operating in such an environment. 

What you bring to the role 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Proven ability to lead and manage a trusts and foundations team and deliver growth through this income stream. 
• Experience of successfully delivering six and seven figure funds. 
• Proven ability to lead and collaborate with delivery, finance, policy, data and learning, and senior teams to develop applications and proposals. 
• Proven project management skills. 
• First class relationship management skills. 
• Demonstrable knowledge of UK and London funders. 
• Ability to undertake rigorous prospect research and build and manage a robust pipeline.
• An analytical approach with experience of regularly recording and reporting on data, including an ability to interpret financial data. 
• Experience of acting as an organisational ambassador in a range of outward facing contexts. 
• Awareness of Fundraising Regulatory Framework. 

Attributes and Behaviours: 

• Passionate and demonstrably committed to improving the lives of young people. 
• Outstanding written and oral communications skills with attention to detail. 
• Ability to think strategically. 
• Ability to adapt to working with a variety of internal and external audiences. 
• Ability to work independently and use your own initiative. 
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities. 
• Ability to work in a changing and flexible environment. 
• Willingness to develop and learn new skills. 
• Discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality. 
• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends at London Youth events. 

You will be able to demonstrate our values of being: 

• Ambitious 
• Collaborative 
• Inclusive 
• Accountable 

Why work at London Youth 

• Generous holiday allowance - 39 days paid holiday each year (including bank holidays and closure days). If you work part-time, your holiday allowance will be proportional based on your working hours. 
• Employer 4% pension contribution. 
• Additional leave granted to support voluntary activity. 
• Free access for you and your family for the Employee Assistance Programme. 
• Free access to the 'Headspace' app for you and your family. 
• Free Health Care Cash Plan. 
• Free access to the Charity Mentoring Network, as a mentor or mentee. 
• You'll be working with a fantastic team of passionate colleagues across London Youth. 
• You will be making a difference to the lives of young people! 

Job Title:
Senior Grants Officer

Reporting To:
Grants Manager

Salary:
£31,125 – £39,826

Hours:
37.5 hours per week

Duration:
Permanent

Location:
Alder Hey Children’s Charity, Liverpool / Hybrid working

Job Purpose

We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join our grants team to support the charity in delivering approximately £5m of grant awards per year.

The Senior Grants Officer will play an active role in supporting Alder Hey Children’s Charity’s grant development and awarding process, liaising with Trust colleagues on grant applications and awards.

The post holder will work closely with fundraising teams to support donor asks and ongoing stewardship.

They will also support the Grants Manager in developing systems and processes for effective grant management, including maintaining up-to-date records on Salesforce.

Main Duties / Tasks

Grant Programme Delivery & Oversight

• Oversee application pipelines and grant status, ensuring efficient progression and escalating issues where required
• Monitor applications in development, ensuring alignment with Charity priorities and Theory of Change model
• Support small grants assessment meetings, including follow-up actions such as applicant liaison and issuing grant letters
• Respond to enquiries from grant holders, managing or escalating risks and underperformance
• Ensure fundraising teams are kept informed where external funds are attached to grants

Applicant & Stakeholder Support

• Act as a primary point of contact for grant applicants, advising on eligibility, criteria and application processes
• Build and maintain effective relationships with Trust staff, charity colleagues and external partners
• Represent the grants team in internal meetings where required

Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Support monitoring of KPIs, including turnaround times, ensuring performance targets are met
• Identify opportunities to improve grant processes, systems and documentation
• Share learning and best practice across the charity

Programme Development

• Contribute to the development of grant programmes aligned with Charity priorities
• Support creation and improvement of applicant guidance and programme materials
• Work collaboratively with Impact & Insights colleagues to support a one-team approach

Other Duties

• Act as an ambassador for Alder Hey Children’s Charity in line with organisational values
• Contribute positively to the wider team and support fundraising events where required
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by your line manager

Person Specification

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• Experience in the charity, voluntary, public or philanthropic sector, ideally in a grants or programme role
• Knowledge of assessing grant or funding applications, including reviewing proposals and budgets
• Experience of administration and management processes, including record keeping, due diligence and reporting
• Experience using databases or grant management systems
• Experience managing multiple applications or projects to deadlines
• Understanding of governance and good practice in grant awarding and reporting
• Understanding of the charity and funding landscape

Desirable:

• Experience in a grant-making organisation, foundation or trust
• Experience supporting panels, committees or trustees
• Experience using Salesforce or similar CRM systems

Skills and Attributes

Essential:

• Commitment to equity, diversity and collaborative working
• Strong analytical and numerical skills
• Clear and concise written communication skills
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• Self-motivated with a positive, flexible approach
• High attention to detail
• Good judgement and integrity
• Ability to work collaboratively and contribute to shared learning
• Ability to line manage and support a Grants Assistant
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office and database systems

Desirable:

• Advanced Excel skills
• Experience improving grant processes or systems
• Experience building relationships with applicants and grantees
• Interest in developing grant-making practice

Additional Requirements

Essential:

• Commitment to continuing professional development
• Strong interest in working for a children’s health charity
• Commitment to the values of Alder Hey Children’s Charity
• Willingness to support wider charity activities
• Willingness to occasionally work outside normal office hours

Our Values

At Alder Hey Children’s Charity, our values guide how we work. Being courageous, working together, showing passion and embracing creativity enables us to support the hospital in delivering the very best care for young patients and their families.

Courage
We try new things, take risks and innovate. We speak up, take accountability and act with responsibility.

Together
We work as one team, sharing knowledge and learning. We partner with patients, families, supporters and colleagues.

Passion
We are passionate about what we do and inspire others.

Magic
We are creative, fun and child-led, creating special moments and going the extra mile.

Additional Information

In April 2025, the charity adopted a four-day working week policy. Staff previously working 37.5 hours now work 30 hours across four days, maintaining full pay while supporting a better work-life balance.

This job description outlines the general nature of the role and is not exhaustive. It may be subject to change in line with organisational needs.

Alder Hey Children’s Charity will make reasonable adjustments where required and is committed to equal opportunities and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

The post holder will be required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure check.

Salary: £44,561 gross per annum

Location: London

Contract Type: Indefinite

Hours: Full Time

First Interview Dates: 23 April 2026

We are hiring in our Grants team! If you are a Senior Grants Officer ready for your next challenge in London, this could be the perfect opportunity. The Senior Grants Officer will support the delivery of the organisation's fundraising strategy, with a focus on managing a complex portfolio of grants from trusts, foundations, and other statutory and institutional funders.

In this role, you will be managed by Charlotte Flew. As Grants Lead, Charlotte oversees a portfolio of some of ClientEarth's largest grants.  Charlotte has a wealth of experience across grant management, fundraising, compliance and programme operations. Charlotte joined ClientEarth in summer 2025 and is based in London. Prior to joining ClientEarth, Charlotte held roles with international development organisation, WaterAid in the UK, Australia and Southeast Asia.

Main Duties

• Have complete oversight and knowledge of their grants portfolio, including a sound understanding of the needs across a complex mix of philanthropic, institutional and statutory funding;
• Prepare reports and analyses on trends across the funding portfolio and inform the Grants Lead on progress, risks, opportunities, and strategic development of the portfolio and future grant management strategy.
• Maintain excellent relationships with funders through timely communications in relation to the work they fund, broader organisational developments and strategy;
• Effectively and independently, manage reporting and grant renewal process from start to completion including working with multiple teams to develop accurate and compelling proposals and reports in a timely and high-quality manner

See the job description for a full list of duties for this role.

Role requirements

• Significant experience of working in a grant management or project management role for a
  charity, NGO, private or public entity (essential);
• Experience in managing six and/or seven figure grants/gifts (essential);
• Experience of reporting to private foundations including trusts and foundations (essential);
• Experience drafting proposals and securing funding from foundations and other funding
  institutions (six and/or seven figure grants/gifts) (essential);

See the job description for a full list of duties for this role.

Note to candidates: We know that long lists of criteria can be daunting and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they are 100% qualified. If you feel you meet at least some of the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply.

Have a question about this job? Please visit our Careers site for advice on applying, FAQs, and more.
 

Flexible working:  We are proud to be a Flexa accredited Employer. Visit our Flexa Employer page for more information on our approach to flexible working. Our flexible working policy allows our people the choice to decide to work from home/another location in the country where their contract of employment is issued for 80% of their month, with the other 20% of their month being office-basedSee our Benefits page for more as well as our flexible working FAQ.
 

ClientEarth values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We aim to appoint the most suitable candidate at all times and welcome applications from people from all different backgrounds. See our equity, diversity and inclusion journey page for more.

Please note that ClientEarth is only able to employ those who have the pre-existing legal right to work in the UK.

ClientEarth is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal services to third parties.

Help secure the future of a 120-year-old youth charity At The Shewsy, we support over 100 children and young people every day in one of the most deprived communities in the UK. Founded in 1903, we provide meals, mentoring, and a safe space, but more importantly, we build relationships that change lives. Our motto is “People Matter More Than Things".

We are now looking for a brilliant Fundraising & Engagement Manager to help us take the next step in building a stronger, more sustainable funding base so we can reach even more young people.

Salary: £40,000 per annum 

Hours: 37 hours per week (flexible working available and could offer 0.8) 

Contract type: Permanent

Benefits:  

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

• NEST Pension 

• Benefits & Discount Portal 

• 22 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays 

• Professional Training & Development

The Role (and why it matters) This isn’t just about writing bids behind a desk. It’s about being a visible, energetic advocate for The Shewsy. You will champion our work face-to-face, engaging our local Everton community while nurturing our historic, vital ties with Shrewsbury School and the Old Salopian network. You will balance persuasive in-person communication with high-quality grant writing to unlock new opportunities and bring ideas to life.

What you’ll be doing

Building Relationships & Community Engagement

• Actively network and build face-to-face relationships with local businesses, community members, and potential corporate partners.

• Nurture and expand our vital relationship with the Shrewsbury School community and Old Salopians to encourage legacy giving, regular donations, and matched-giving support.

• Champion and support community fundraising events and campaigns, including our highly successful Big Give Christmas Challenge.

Securing Grant Funding

• Build and manage a £200,000+ annual funding pipeline by researching and applying for grants from trusts and foundations.

• Write high-quality, compelling, and tailored funding applications.

• Maintain a live pipeline of funders, tracking applications, success rates, and deadlines.

Telling Our Story Powerfully

• Turn powerful frontline youth work into compelling narratives for both written bids and in-person presentations.

• Work with staff to capture impact, stories, and data to strengthen how we evidence our outcomes.

What success looks like (Year 1)

• Strong, active relationships established with the Shrewsbury School community, Old Salopians, and local Everton stakeholders.

• A £200k+ funding pipeline established and actively managed.

• Consistent monthly/quarterly bid submissions balancing quick wins with strategic applications.

• Increased repeat funding, multi-year grants, and diversified community income.

Who we’re looking for You might already be a community fundraiser, a bid writer looking to step out from behind the screen, or someone ready to step up.

Essential

• Exceptional in-person communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences from local residents to major donors.

• Experience writing successful grant applications in the charity sector.

• A track record of securing funding from trusts, foundations, or major donors.

• Highly organised, able to balance desk-based bid writing with out-and-about relationship building.

• Ability to work independently and make things happen.

Desirable

• Experience in youth, community, or social impact organisations.

• Knowledge of the Liverpool funding landscape.

• Experience with community campaigns or matched-funding appeals (e.g., the Big Give).

The kind of person who thrives here

• You care deeply about young people and social impact.

• You are proactive, outgoing, and don’t wait to be told what to do.

• You spot opportunities others miss and can turn a conversation into a compelling bid or a new partnership.

• You want your work to actually make a difference.

If this sounds like you, then our four-month (7th September to 18th December 2026), salaried Grant Fundraising Traineeship might be the perfect opportunity for you.

Chell Perkins is looking for four individuals with excellent writing skills who want to learn how to fundraise from grantmakers. 

Our industry-leading paid traineeship (monthly equivalent of a £24,792 annual salary) will see you writing grant applications for multiple charities and gaining a recognised certificate with education credits towards CFRE to kickstart your fundraising career. There are up to four vacancies at Chell Perkins, and at the end of the course trainees will be eligible to apply for a permanent position.

“This programme has been an amazing opportunity to work with so many different clients, and constantly learn new skills on the job. I have learned so much.” Junior Fundraiser, 2022

This immersive programme is home-based with quality training and plenty of support from other experienced fundraisers.

“The hands-on training opportunities that come with a role at Chell Perkins are invaluable for anyone who is looking to get into fundraising. I don't think you could find a more immersive and rewarding experience in the charity sector anywhere else!” Junior Fundraiser, 2022

Why Chell Perkins?

At the end of our Grant Fundraising Traineeship, you will be a confident and capable fundraiser. But there’s much more to the scheme than that. The Chell Perkins team are a great bunch of people to work with. We really care about our partner charities and YOUR future. Our supportive and empowering work culture will enable you to realise your own potential.

“This programme is truly unique and rewarding. I recommend it to anyone thinking of beginning a fundraising career.” Junior Fundraiser, 2020

Client mix

Candidates should be aware that at present, 70% of our partner charities come from a Christian background (churches or Christian charities). While it is not a requirement to be Christian, candidates must be happy to write for a faith-based audience.

Applications

This role is home-based; however, you may occasionally be required to work from client sites across the UK.

For more details about this opportunity, contact us and request a copy of the Job Description & Person Specification document.

Interviews will be held in the week commencing 4th May 2026 for positions starting on 7th September 2026.

If our Grant Fundraising Traineeship sounds like it could be a perfect fit for you, why not apply? We look forward to hearing from you!

To apply for this role, please complete our job application and email it to us with a recent CV and a covering letter. In your covering letter, we are looking for:

• Evidence of strong written communication skills
• Passion for the third sector, and in particular fundraising
• Ability to write persuasively
• Evidence that you have carefully researched the role and our organisation.

Click 'how to apply' below for the email address to send your application to, and for more information on the role and person specification.

A note about generative AI use

As an agency we are not against the use of AI to research or help improve the quality of your application. However, we strongly advise against using AI to generate copy for you. Last year, over 40 applications contained sections with identical wording, due to the use of generative AI. As a result, we could not get to know the applicants from their writing, and subsequently had to reject all of these applications.

We are currently looking for a Trusts and Grants Officer to work with the Grants and Project Development Manager and Somerset Wildlife Trust (SWT) teams to help nurture and grow our portfolio of Trust, Foundation and other Grant income to support core Trust activity and individual projects.

Trusts and Grants Officer
Salary: Banding Level 2 £27,000 - £30,500 FTE. (£21,000 - £24,400 per annum actual for 30 hours per week)
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Part time, 30 hours per week
Location: Taunton, Somerset, Opportunity for Hybrid working

About Us

Somerset Wildlife Trust is a local independent charity and the only organisation uniquely focused on improving the natural environment of Somerset for the benefit of wildlife and people. We champion Somerset’s stunning, diverse, and important natural environment, making the case for nature to the public and politicians. We protect wildlife and lead the recovery of the environment by example, including on our nature reserves.

About You and the Role

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who is confident in managing a portfolio of small trusts and foundations and would like to gain experience working on major trust and grant applications.

We are looking for an experienced trusts and foundations fundraiser to join our team. This role will be a key part of our fundraising team, managing a portfolio of trust and foundations with the capacity to give up to £25,000 and the opportunity to assist with major grant funding bids which will enable us to drive forward our ambitious goals.

• You will deliver high quality written applications and reports in line with funder deadlines and keep in touch with donors and prospects via phone, virtually and in face-to-meetings and visits. We are looking for someone who has:
• Ability to manage tasks from start to finish and prioritise work to meet set deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to think creatively to generate income in line with our strategy.

Key responsibilities and tasks to meet the fundraising strategic targets:

Responsibility 1: Income generation

• Managing a portfolio of Trusts and Foundations to complete funding applications and, working with the Grants and Project Development Manager, to agree an annual programme of grant and trust applications to meet defined income targets.
• Assisting the Grants and Project Development Manager on major grant-funding applications and aligning smaller funds to secure match-funding for larger projects.
• Carrying out prospect research to identify new trust and grant funding opportunities.

Responsibility 2: Fund Relationship Management

• Stewarding an agreed portfolio of existing Trust and Foundation relationships, ensuring funder contributions are appropriately recognised and acknowledged and that grant criteria are met.
• Co-ordinating reports to funders, ensuring reports meet requirements and are sent on time.
• Developing new relationships with trust and foundation prospects identified to secure new income.
• Ensuring data on grant income and funders are updated and maintained to a high standard on the Trusts’ customer relationship management system (Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT) and SWT SharePoint.
• Assisting with the administration of the Trust’s Programme Management Board (PMB) and project development documentation, helping develop cases of support and content for funding applications.

Responsibility 3: Supporting Wilder Fundraising Strategy

• Highlighting funding opportunities to SWT teams and contributing to funding applications led by other teams.
• Liaising with SWT Finance team to ensure grants are properly recorded, allocated and spending tracked.
• Providing additional support to the Fundraising & Marketing Team (F&M) and other SWT teams, as required and agreed with your line manager.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• 7% employer pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Flexible and agile working
• Wellbeing support – EAP, wellbeing champions
• Diversity networks through RSWT/TWT
• Paid volunteer days
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• 33 days of holiday (25 + bank holidays) + Christmas shutdown
• Staff social calendar and events

The opportunity to make a real and positive difference to nature, communities and the climate

Closing date: Friday 24 April 2026
N.B. We encourage you to apply as soon as you can. Shortlisting will begin upon receipt of applications, and the position may be closed ahead of schedule if we receive sufficient interest.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We believe everyone is part of nature and should have the opportunity to experience nature, and in turn value and want to protect our natural world.

Our people are the most valuable asset we have in achieving our strategic goals. We know that while we have amazing people with an amazing diversity of skills, experiences, and backgrounds we have work to do to make sure we are as inclusive and representative as possible.

No agencies please.

Help tackle loneliness among older people in care homes

Thousands of older people living in care homes receive few or no visitors. Friends for Life Bedfordshire exists to change that.

Through our befriending and group activities, we bring companionship, connection and meaningful relationships to care home residents across Bedford and the surrounding area.

We are now looking for a Fundraising Lead to help secure and grow the income that makes this work possible.

About Friends for Life Bedfordshire

We are a Bedford-based charity working to address the social isolation of older residents in Bedfordshire’s care homes.

Founded in 2007, we have grown from a small local initiative to a registered charity with c90 volunteers supporting more than 30 care homes across Bedford Borough. In the last year, over 1,100 care home residents received our services.

The Role

This is a pivotal role for the charity. It is key to the delivery of our business plan and growth aspirations.

You will take ownership of fundraising and income generation, ensuring we have the resources to sustain and grow our impact.

You will lead on grant fundraising whilst also developing community and individual giving, and delivering engaging fundraising events.

This is a hands-on role in a small organisation, so you will have real ownership and visibility. You will shape our fundraising strategy and directly influence how many residents we can reach.

This role is suited to someone who is both strategic and practical — someone who can develop the fundraising strategy and the plan to deliver this, but is equally comfortable writing applications, building relationships and making things happen.

Key Responsibilities

Grant Fundraising

• Identify and secure funding from trusts, foundations and statutory bodies
• Write high-quality, compelling funding applications
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of funding opportunities
• Maintain relationships with funders, including reporting and stewardship

Community & Individual Fundraising

• Grow income through local partnerships, supporters and community initiatives
• Engage schools, businesses and individuals to generate support
• Work with Marketing, Partnerships & Activities Lead to develop campaigns that drive regular and one-off donations
• Strengthen our local supporter base and visibility

Fundraising Events

• Plan and deliver fundraising events (community and corporate), managing logistics, budgets and stakeholder coordination
• Work with Marketing, Partnerships & Activities Lead to promote events through social media and marketing platforms
• Ensure events are engaging, effective and financially successful
• Evaluate performance and improve future activity

Strategy, Compliance & Reporting

• Develop and deliver a clear fundraising strategy aligned to organisational goals
• Track performance against targets and provide insight
• Ensure all fundraising is compliant with regulations and best practice
• Represent the charity externally with confidence and credibility

About You

We are looking for someone who can take ownership of fundraising and produce results in a small, resource-constrained environment.

You will likely bring:

• Experience developing or contributing to a fundraising strategy
• Proven experience in fundraising, with a track record of generating income
• Strong experience in writing successful grant applications
• Experience of developing and growing income from community fundraising initiatives (e.g. partnerships, volunteer-led activities, individuals and events)
• Ability to build and manage relationships with funders, donors or partners
• Strong written communication skills — able to create compelling cases for support
• Ability to work independently, prioritise effectively and meet deadlines
• A proactive, resourceful approach — you don’t wait to be told what to do
• Comfortable balancing strategy with hands-on delivery

What We Offer

• £16.79 per hour (£18,334 per year for 21 hours per week)
• Employer pension
• Flexible and hybrid working
• A supportive and passionate team of staff, volunteers and trustees
• The chance to transform the lives of care home residents every single week

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a short covering statement outlining how your experience aligns with the position.

Selection will be via an interview.

Please note that applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be able to evidence this prior to interview.

Finally, the role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Closing date is Friday 1 May 2026.

Volunteer Centre Hackney is a thriving charity (annual income circa £1.1m, with 29 paid staff) providing volunteering infrastructure to the voluntary sector across the City of London and the London borough of Hackney. We support over 1500 residents a year to realise their skills and passions through volunteering and social action, and to share these for the benefit of others. We also provide volunteering resource, and advice and guidance on best practice in volunteer management, to hundreds of charities and community organisations.

Through our specialist programmes, our impact on the lives of residents is huge. We match volunteers to housebound residents to help them engage with communities and leave their homes; we provide long term personalised support to people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities to help them volunteer and find paid jobs; we support patients to deliver hundreds of their own activities and peer support groups at GP practices across City and Hackney; and in partnership with Public Health, we support over 250 Community Health Champions to share vital health messaging with their own diverse communities.  

This is a hands-on and strategic role for an experienced fundraiser who thrives in a small to medium sized charity environment. You will have autonomy to develop a whole new fundraising strategy, utilising diverse fundraising methods, and building and developing new project ideas and partnerships. You will lead on income generation primarily through sourcing and applying to multiple trusts and foundations, but diversified by building new corporate partnerships, community campaigns and individual giving. You will build authentic relationships with funders and supporters, and together with VCH colleagues, will identify new programme models as ways to generate income. You will contribute to the development and production of compelling stories, evidence and marketing and build and maintain the infrastructure needed to track and achieve progress against annual income targets.

Post holders need to have excellent communication skills, to represent the charity in writing and in person. You must be enthusiastic, self-motivating and confident to work primarily alone, but also able to engage and collaborate with staff from across the organisation to share information and impact evidence to support your role. If you are successful in securing funding there will be the potential to recruit additional support, and for you to become the Head of Fundraising of a small team.

Play a leading role in ending food poverty across the South Cotswolds by growing essential fundraising and community partnerships. This is a chance to shape meaningful change through storytelling, relationship‑building and strategic income generation.

About our Charity

South Cotswolds Foodbank supports people across more than 210 square miles, providing emergency food and compassion while working towards long‑term solutions to the root causes of poverty. We are now seeking a Fundraising & Community Relations Manager to help us build the resources, relationships and community awareness we need to meet rising demand and to drive our mission forward.

Location

This role is based at our Cirencester office, with opportunities for some home working. The post will involve some local travel across the South Cotswolds to meet supporters, partners, and community groups. 

Role and Responsibilities

As a key member of our small, friendly staff team, you will lead the development of fundraising from individuals, businesses, trusts and foundations, and community groups. You will identify new funding opportunities, craft compelling bids, and nurture long‑term partnerships that help sustain our annual running costs and strengthen our future resilience.

You will also take a leading role in shaping how we share our story. Working closely with the Head of Foodbank and colleagues, you will create marketing materials, digital and print content, fundraising campaigns, and communications that bring our mission and our clients’ experiences to life. This includes producing newsletters, fundraising appeals, social media content, and materials for events and outreach activities.

A central part of this role is inspiring and stewarding supporters, whether that’s someone making a one‑off donation, a local business exploring a partnership, or a trust considering a grant application. You’ll design ways to keep supporters engaged, informed and appreciated, ensuring communications reflect our values and priorities and are consistent with our brand and tone.

You will represent the Foodbank at community events across the region, building relationships with schools, churches, associations, local groups and businesses. This outward‑facing work helps raise awareness of the causes of food poverty, increases support, and strengthens our reach into communities who want to take action. You’ll also coordinate volunteers who contribute to these events.

Working closely with colleagues, you’ll help capture stories and case studies from people with lived experience of food poverty (with sensitivity and respect) to illustrate the realities facing local families and to strengthen our fundraising, communications, and advocacy work. You will maintain our CRM system, ensuring accurate donor and engagement data, and produce regular reports for monitoring and oversight.

Person Specification

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is proactive, organised and able to work independently. You will need excellent communication skills, creativity, strong relationship‑building ability, and a proven track record in fundraising or partnership‑driven roles. You’ll work with purpose and empathy, always championing those affected by hardship.

Working at South Cotswolds Foodbank

We offer a supportive and collaborative environment. Our staff benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pro rata
• Employee Assistance Programme (BHSF) available to you 
• Four weeks full pay + four weeks half pay sickness provision (after probation)
• Pension scheme with 3% employer contribution (auto‑enrolment conditions apply) 

You’ll join a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who are committed to ensuring no one in our community goes hungry, and who believe that alongside emergency support, we must work on root‑cause solutions that make long‑term change possible.

If you want a role that blends strategic fundraising, community connection, and creative communication, and you want your work to make a tangible difference every day, this could be the perfect next step.

The Stuart Low Trust (SLT) is a well-respected and award-winning charity based in Islington supporting people who experience mental health issues and socially isolated.SLT was created to be radically different from other mental health charities – uniquely accessible, inclusive and community-embedded. You will be joining a small friendly team, where we care about staff wellbeing.We believe in trusting the expertise of our staff and giving them the freedom to thrive with regular help on hand when needed. 

We support over 500 adults per year through social groups -creative arts, nature-based activities, wellbeing workshops and peer support.90% of participants report improved mental health and wellbeing. 

Why Join Us?  
This is an opportunity to play an important role in a small but impactful charity.  Your work will directly enable adults experiencing isolation to access safe, creative and life-affirming activities. Perfect for someone who thrives in a small charity where you can see the impact of your work every week. 

Who we are seeking 
We are seeking a Fundraising Manager, who enjoys writing grant applications and building strong relationships with supporters. Working closely with the Chief Executive, you will have a primary focus working on our trusts and foundations pipeline, while generating around 10% of total income from other sources. We are realistic what is possible in 21 hours per week! 

We are seeking a fundraiser who combines: 

• A strong track record securing trust and foundation income 
• Excellent bid-writing skills 
• Experience generating income beyond trusts (corporate, community or individual) 
• Comfortable working autonomously in a small team 
• Experience in a mental health organisation or small charity is desirable but not essential.

Summary role description 

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will: 

Lead Trusts and Foundations Income 

• Develop a pipeline of grant funders to apply to. 
• Write compelling, high-quality applications.. 
• Deepen funder relationships to secure repeat grants. 

Raise income from other sources 

Work with the Chief Executive to generate income from other sources with a realistic and achievable target of 10% total income via:

• Corporate partnerships in Islington, King’s Cross tech, creative industries and the City. 
• Community and individual giving, especially among affluent local residents. 

Build sustainable systems to support fundraising 

• ​Strengthen stewardship journeys including donor tracking systems and explore use of AI tools. 
• Contribute to fundraising communications and our profile-building. 

Why this Role is Different 
You will be stepping into an organisation in a strong position to build on: 

• Multi-year funding security (63% of next year’s income already secured through multi-year grants, 4 months’ free reserves, annual income circa £250k). 
• Trusted funders include City Bridge Foundation, Garfield Weston, Sport England and leading City Livery Companies. 
• Strategic Plan 2024–28 with clear goals. 
• Excellent impact measurement systems. 
• A highly experienced Chief Executive with 30 years in the charity sector. 
• A collaborative and supportive team, who understand fundraising is everyone’s responsibility. 

What You’ll Gain 

• Real autonomy and ownership 
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Occupational pension scheme 
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Access to training and development opportunities 
• Supportive management culture 
• A genuinely collaborative, values-led culture 

Location
Based at Jean Stokes Community Centre, Islington (5 minutes by bus from King’s Cross) 

Application instructions
Please note, while we appreciate the value of AI tools, we strongly prefer that applicants prepare their supporting statements for this purpose with minimal use of AI.This helps us to better understand your authentic voice, skills and motivation for this role.Thank you. 

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and two satisfactory references. 

We are embrace diversity, equality of opportunity and inclusion. We are committed to building a team that represents are variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.The more inclusive we are, the more we can achieve. 

Deadline for applications: Sunday, 5th April 2026 at 12midnight
Interviews: Monday, 20th April 2026 
Estimated Start:June/July 2026 

Temporary Fundraising & Sponsorship Advisor – Job Description

Introduction / Opportunity Framing

The Lit & Phil is entering a significant development phase through its “Lit & Phil Open” project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

We are seeking an experienced Fundraising and Sponsorship Advisor to play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our fundraising strategy at a critical moment.

This is not a steady-state role. It is an opportunity to design and implement a fundraising approach that will support both immediate project needs and long-term financial sustainability.

About the Organisation

The Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne (“Lit & Phil”) is a historic charity established in 1793, dedicated to advancing education.

• Based in central Newcastle, operating from a Grade II* listed building
• Home to over 200,000 books and music items
• Delivers approximately 150 public events annually
• Serves thousands of visitors and members each year
• Supported by staff and a strong volunteer network

The organisation is embarking on a major heritage and engagement project to expand access, grow audiences, and secure long-term sustainability.

The Role

As our Fundraising and Sponsorship Advisor, you will provide expert strategic and delivery support across two key priorities:

1. Securing match funding for a major Heritage Fund Delivery Phase bid
2. Building sustainable income streams to improve long-term financial resilience

You will operate both strategically and hands-on, working alongside trustees and project advisors.

You will:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising and sponsorship strategy
• Design and execute a targeted fundraising campaign for “Lit & Phil Open”
• Build a pipeline of funding opportunities across individuals, trusts, and corporate sponsors
• Strengthen and manage relationships with donors and stakeholders
• Create compelling funding proposals, applications, and reporting materials
• Develop promotional materials for fundraising campaigns
• Organise and support fundraising events and donor engagement activity
• Monitor, evaluate, and refine fundraising performance

Key Deliverables (Development Phase – 6 Months)

• Months 1–2:
  • Deliver a review of current fundraising and sponsorship activity
  • Provide recommendations aligned to priority funding needs
  • Initiate early-stage fundraising actions
• By Month 4:
  • Produce a detailed Fundraising and Sponsorship Strategy
  • Include long-term sustainability planning beyond the project phase
  • Provide costings and resource considerations
• By Month 5:
  • Deliver a presentation of the strategy to trustees/stakeholders
• By Month 6 (September 2026):
  • Secure at least 3 grants totalling £10,000+
  • Secure sponsorship from at least 3 organisations

Key Deliverables (Strategic Priorities)

Priority 1: Capital / Project Funding

• Secure match funding to support a potential £4.5m Heritage Fund Delivery bid
• Develop funding streams across individuals, trusts, and corporate donors

Priority 2: Revenue Growth

• Develop fundraising approaches to increase annual income by ~40% by 2029
• Expand income across:
  • Subscriptions and membership
  • Sponsorship
  • Events and ticketing
  • Venue hire and commercial activity

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven experience developing and delivering fundraising strategies
• Strong track record in securing funding (trusts, grants, corporate, or individuals)
• Excellent bid writing and proposal development skills
• Experience in donor relationship management and reporting
• Ability to design and deliver fundraising campaigns
• Strategic thinking combined with delivery capability

Desirable

• Experience working with cultural, heritage, or educational organisations
• Experience with National Lottery Heritage Fund or similar funding bodies
• Experience in membership-based organisations

Personal Attributes

• Strategic and analytical thinker
• Proactive and solutions-focused
• Able to work independently while engaging stakeholders effectively
• Adaptable within a project-based and evolving environment
• Strong communication and influencing skills

Reporting Line

• Reports to: Trustee Board Member (Finance Lead)
• Works with: Project team, trustees, and external advisors

Contract & Timeline

• Contract Type: Consultancy / Fixed-term
• Duration: Approx. 6 months (Development Phase)
• Start Date: April 2026 (or as soon as possible)
• Potential Extension: Delivery Phase (Jan 2027 – 2029), subject to funding approval

Monitoring & Reporting

• Monthly progress reports (max. 3 pages + dashboard)
• Regular engagement with trustees and project leadership
• Flexibility to respond to stakeholder and funder queries

Closing Statement

This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping the future of a historic institution, contributing to a major heritage project while building a sustainable fundraising model for the long term.

We welcome applications from experienced advisors who can bring both strategic insight and practical delivery to this ambitious programme.

At OCD Action we have a big vision and we have decided to invest in our fundraising team to help us secure the income our organisation needs to drive our work forward.

OCD Action exists because it takes 7 years on average for people affected by OCD to get the treatment that they need. OCD is debilitating, isolating and destroys lives, but it is treatable. Sadly the wait for treatment, for too many is too long. We are working, with the OCD Community, for a time, when OCD is well understood and everyone gets the treatment and support they need when they need it. Until that day arrives, we are committed to ensuring everyone affected by OCD has access to high quality support, information and guidance.

As Senior Trust and Foundations Officer you will support the delivery of our vision by growing our portfolio of Trusts and Foundations, crafting exceptionally high quality and persuasive applications for three, four and five figure bids and managing all successful and existing grants.  

We are a small but highly effective team at OCD Action, if you join us you will work closely with our service delivery team and have the opportunity to see the impact of your work. We are looking for someone who is passionate about improving outcomes for people affected by OCD and can channel this into ambitious, creative and persuasive grant applications. This role requires someone who enjoys working with people and is adept at building networks and maintaining effective relationships. This role may be particularly suited to someone who has supported with the development of Trust applications in a larger organisation and is looking to develop their skills or to work with increased flexibility.

We aim to make working for OCD Action, work for you. We have a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave plus 8 statutory bank holidays (pro rata for part-time roles) ensuring fair entitlement for all working patterns. Flexible working and blended home / office working is welcome, you can agree your hours, office/home pattern with your manager as long as all commitments, responsibilities and meetings are covered. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, we are actively building a team that fully reflects and best supports the OCD community. 

If you think this is the opportunity for you, please complete the application form attached. We look forward to hearing from you.

At Rethink Mental Illness and Mental Health UK, we’re working tirelessly to ensure that people severely affected by mental illness get the support and respect they deserve. To help us grow our impact, we’re looking for a passionate and ambitious Trusts & Grants Manager—someone who thrives on building meaningful relationships and crafting compelling cases for support.

Salary is £41,000 to £45,532 dependant on experience, plus £3000 London Allowance

If you're motivated by securing transformational funding that drives real change, this could be the perfect next step in your fundraising career.

About the role

As Trusts & Grants Manager, you’ll play a crucial role in developing and stewarding relationships with Trusts and Foundations—both established supporters and new prospects. You will:

• Manage a portfolio of 50–100 donors and prospects with five- and six‑figure giving potential 
• Produce compelling, evidence-led funding applications that bring our work and impact to life 
• Build and nurture new funder relationships through meetings, calls, written communication and service visits 
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across Programmes, Operations and Partnerships to shape high-impact, research‑led proposals 
• Oversee applications from concept to award, reporting to donors and ensuring excellent stewardship throughout the grant lifecycle 
• Monitor sector trends and proactively shape a healthy, diverse pipeline of long-term supporters 
• Forecast income, track progress, and take early action to mitigate shortfalls when needed 

You’ll work closely with the Interim Head of Trusts & Philanthropy, the Prospect Research Manager, and a fellow Trusts & Grants Manager who focuses on Mental Health UK—acting as a key contributor to a high-performing, collaborative fundraising function.

About the team

You’ll be joining a dynamic fundraising team that generates income across Events, Community, Individual Giving, Legacies, Philanthropy, Trusts & Grants, and Corporate Partnerships. Together, we support nearly £6m of work each year across Mental Health UK and Rethink Mental Illness. 

Trusts & Grants is a well-established income stream with a strong track record—and you’ll help take it even further, securing both cornerstone grants and long-term transformational funding.

About you

You’ll excel in this role if you are:

Essential

• A skilled relationship manager with experience securing five- and six‑figure grants or major gifts
• An exceptional communicator who builds meaningful, trusting relationships with funders and senior stakeholders 
• Experienced in writing persuasive, insight‑driven funding applications and reports
• Motivated by developing a diverse, high-impact Trusts & Grants programme
• Able to respond empathetically and appropriately to emotionally sensitive situations
• A proactive team player who brings creativity and solutions-focused thinking
• Passionate about mental health and improving outcomes for those we support

Desirable

• Knowledge of CRM systems such as Salesforce
• An understanding of GDPR in relation to data and fundraising
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities

Ready to make a difference?

If you’re excited by the idea of building a high-impact Trusts & Grants portfolio and driving transformational change, we’d love to hear from you.

Join us—and help shape a future where everyone affected by mental illness gets the support they need and deserve.