Grants and trusts fundraising manager jobs

As our current CEO steps down after five successful years, we are looking for an outstanding candidate to lead our charity in the next stage of its development.

As Chief Executive Officer you will provide strategic and operational leadership to our well-established community charity, ensuring that our activities and projects continue to meet the changing needs of our local community.

You will work closely with the board of trustees to shape the next stage of our charity’s development. You will lead our staff team and ensure that all the resources and structures are in place that allow them and the charity to flourish. This means successfully securing grant funding, leading our community fundraising efforts, ensuring the charity meets its legal and regulatory obligations, managing the operational finances, and building effective partnerships within the local voluntary, community, and faith sector.

You will be equally comfortable writing a funding bid, supporting a member of staff, navigating a spreadsheet, working directly with beneficiaries, and providing concise and accessible reports to trustees and stakeholders. This is a varied role where no two days are quite the same. Your work will make a real difference to the lives of those we support and this is what makes it so rewarding.

For more information please see the recruitment pack attached. The closing date for applications is Friday 17 April 2026.

We are looking for a part time Fundraising & Development Lead to join a small, ambitious global charity and play a critical role in securing funding from Trusts and Foundations to deliver innovative development initiatives.

The ideal candidate would bring senior-level fundraising experience from a similar role at an NGO, organisation, or charity with an established network of executive relationships in major foundations.

This is a remote working role.

The charity
An ambitious, fast paced and passionate global development charity, dedicated to to collaborating world wide to make a lasting social impact. A small charity having a big impact, with an innovative start up culture with staff in the UK and Europe . This role will report into the Director and work closely with another part time highly experienced trusts and foundations fundraiser.

The Role
This is a new business focused role, where you will be required to build a high value pipeline of suitable donors and develop and deliver compelling high value bids for support.

Applications & Fundraising Development
Lead the development of high-quality grant proposals, ensuring proposals are compelling, well-written, and tailored to meet the requirements and priorities of each donor.

Relationship Management
Oversee the complete grant lifecycle, from initial lead to application to reporting and closeout.
Build and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors, program officers, and other key stakeholders.

Events and Networking and Representation
Effectively convey the charity mission, vision, and programs to potential donors, organising fundraising events while overseeing teams of volunteers and probono partners.

The Candidate
Senior-level fundraising experience from a similar role at an NGO, organisation, or charity.

Extensive existing network of senior executives with major global foundations and organisations.

Proven track record of identifying and closing deals for 6 - 7 figure gifts.

IMPORTANT NOTE

This charity is reviewing applications on a rolling basis so please get in touch ASAP to find out more. Please note the post must be based in the UK.

Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you haven't been contacted within 5 days your application has been unsuccessful, but we positively encourage you to apply for any other positions that you may see in the future.

We apologise that we cannot contact everybody in person but thank you in advance for your interest.

Third Solutions encourages applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Third Solutions acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003.

About You. 

You will be a self-motivated and proactive senior trust fundraiser, excited about this new role and achieving our ambitious fundraising goals – approaching it with good humour, resilience and resourcefulness, and confident in your skills and abilities. 

Professional, reliable and highly organised, you will enjoy working collaboratively, able to inspire and support colleagues, and have a strong team ethos.Outgoing and engaging, you will be able to convey a passion for nature and wildlife to different audiences and feel confident when sharing our vision and impact with others. You will be able to nurture and develop relationships with key stakeholders, including those we do not already have a relationship with.

You will have a strong knowledge of Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent and be able to work/travel throughout the county.

We welcome applications from senior trust fundraisers, bid writers from the commercial sector and senior fundraisers from major donors or corporate partnerships who can demonstrate transferable skills and knowledge, and success at the income levels required. 

About the Role.  

We are investing in our Fundraising and Development team to deliver an ambitious 5-year fundraising strategy. The Trusts and Philanthropy Manager is pivotal in securing philanthropic support from trusts and foundations, legacies, major donors, and corporate partners.

 
Over the strategy period you will be responsible for developing annual trust and grant income to £500,000+, by securing grants of five figures and above and gaining multi-year donations.Using your experience in creating strong cases for support, including unrestricted costs, and pipeline development, you will work with two part-time colleagues to increase annual income from major donors, legacies and corporate partners to £250,000+ (excluding exceptional legacy gifts). 

With curiosity, you will identify funding opportunities and reach new audiences. You will thrive on building strong, long-lasting relationships, cultivating donors through verbal and written communications, and managing stewardship events.

As a senior manager, you will have budget responsibility, report regularly, and mitigate under performance.You will ensure joined-up planning and delivery, developing fundraising relationships across income streams, and you will enjoy line management, collaborating with others, and leading project groups to deliver targets on deadlines. 

A typical week is expected to include at least 2 days from our Wolseley Head Office, 1-2days in Staffordshire to secure new support and meet donors, the remaining time worked remotely, with flexibility as required. 

About Us. 

“Staffordshire Wildlife Trust protects and enhances the wildlife and wild places of Staffordshire and promotes understanding, enjoyment and involvement in the natural world.” 

A registered charity established in 1969, we are one of 46 county Wildlife Trusts throughout the UK and are supported by over 18,000 members. 

The Trust owns or manages 45 nature reserves covering an area of over 1900 hectares. We have around 140 staff, based in six locations around the county including our Headquarters at Wolseley Bridge, Stafford, with our work divided into four departments: Conservation Delivery & Engagement, Fundraising and Development, HR & Support Services, and Resources. The Trust has a diverse workforce including site wardens, wildlife surveyors, community and education officers, catering, retail and administration. 

In addition, we have a trading company which looks after the trading side of our business. This includes a café at The Wolseley Centre, charity shops in Leek, Penkridge and Codsall, and a retail shop in the Wolseley Centre. 

We’re Wild About Inclusion! To us, this means inspiring, empowering and engaging people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities, to change the natural world for the better. It means creating workspaces where difference is celebrated, everyone can be themselves and flourish, just like nature. 

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is committed to keeping children and young people safe, you can see our policy on our website.Safeguarding and protecting our visitors, customers, members, staff and volunteers is the responsibility of every trustee, employee, and volunteer at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. For applicable roles, applicants must be willing to undergo checks with past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks at the eligible level. 

Disability Confident Employer. As a Disability Confident accredited employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for vacancies. We particularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented within our sector, including people from minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. 

At SWT, we are committed to creating a safe environment where discrimination, bullying, and harassment are not tolerated. We expect everyone to uphold, respect, and support our zero-tolerance policy.

Please be aware we may not accept applications if we have reason to believe they have been wholly produced using generative AI tools 

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is a registered charity.Charity No: 259558.

Closing Date:  9am on Monday 30th March 2026 

Interviews: 1st stage - MS Teams call during the recruitment period 
2nd stage -Wed 8 April or Fri 10 April 2026

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.

Are you an experienced fundraiser, skilled in crafting persuasive appeals and telling moving stories of impact and change? We have a fabulous opportunity for you to use your creative and organisational skills to make a difference to families in South London and East Surrey.

Our programmes include individual family support, domestic abuse recovery and a range of parenting and group work programmes to enable families to thrive.

The core of your role will be in generating funds from trusts, foundations and grant making trusts.

• Identify and research prospective funders aligned with Welcare’s priorities.
• Develop tailored, high-quality grant applications, expressions of interest, and monitoring reports.
• Manage a rolling pipeline of small, medium, and large grant opportunities.
• Lead on multi-year and restricted funding applications where appropriate.
• Ensure accurate tracking of deadlines and submissions using eTapestry (Blackbaud’s CRM/Supporter Management System)
• Work closely with CEO, Head of Practice and Business Manager to gather data, case studies, and outcomes.

• Translate impact data into compelling narratives aligned with funder priorities.
• Support development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to strengthen future bids.

Salary:  £41,771 FTE (pro-rata £25,062)

Fully remote working

Generous Annual Leave allowance

Longlisted candidates will be required to complete a full application form prior to interview.

Application closing date: 6 April 2026

Interview date: rolling interview

Is this position right for you?
We’re seeking a Fundraising Officer to support the growth of all our programmes, services, and campaigns. Primarily working on a new area of trusts and foundations fundraising, including researching prospects. You will be responsible for making grant applications and updating funders, as well as providing overall support to the wider fundraising team at Humanists UK.

Are you an early-career fundraiser with some experience of working in the trusts and foundations sector, either for a charity or as a funder? Are you looking for your next big move and a new role that you can really get your teeth into? Do you want to grow your skillset while taking ownership of exciting projects? If so, this could be the role for you.

What you'll be doing

You'll be part of the Advancing Humanism Directorate. You'll work with our Head of Fundraising, Jess, as well as working closely with our Director of Advancing Humanism, Liam, and other members of the Communications and Marketing team.

The fundraising team is responsible for income generation including donors, campaigns, grants, and exploring new ways we can sustain and grow our fundraising. This includes planning and leading giving campaigns; donor and funder stewardship (working with the Chief Executive’s Office); developing and maintaining an income pipeline; and identifying new opportunities to diversify our income streams.

Key Tasks & Activities

Implementing and further developing Humanists UK’s grants, trusts, and foundations fundraising strategy, with key tasks including:

• Researching new funding prospects

• Maintaining and growing our funding pipeline.

• Supporting colleagues across the organisation to develop, bid for, and report on appropriate projects for funding

• Writing clear and compelling funding bids, proposals, and appeals, and produce timely, high-quality reports for funders

• Maintaining accurate records of applications, reporting schedules, project milestones, and grant income using the charity’s CRM system.

• Working with the finance team to make sure grants are administered efficiently and all income is accurately recorded

• Monitoring progress against targets, providing regular updates and income reports to the Head of Fundraising

• Supporting continuous improvement by maintaining effective systems for tracking and evaluating trust fundraising activity

• Keeping informed about developments and sector trends in fundraising

As a successful candidate

You will have strong organisational skills and be confident managing a varied workload, balancing application and reporting deadlines with funder stewardship and pipeline development needs.

You will also be a proactive and supportive team player and a self-starter. We are a small team who manage our own work, but value coming together to share ideas, support one another, and take creative risks.

Prospectus is delighted to be supporting a national mental health support organisation in the search for a new Trusts and Grants Manager. 

This organisation are a leading charity provider of mental health services in England, who are on a mission to bring about meaningful change: to our health and social care system, to the way society views mental illness, and to people's lives across the country. 

As the Trusts and Grants Manager, you will join a collaborative fundraising team and be responsible for securing income through trusts and foundations. Overseeing a portfolio of existing and new prospects and donors, you will cultivate and steward these relationships to achieve 5 and 6-figure gifts. With the support of the team, and working in collaboration with Programmes and Services Teams, you will develop evidence-based and impact-led cases for support for various projects. 

To be successful, as the Trusts & Grants Manager, you will have proven experience securing five and six-figure grants from trusts and grant givers. You will be a clear communicator and know how to build income-generating relationships through compelling trust and foundation applications. Ideally, this person will be passionate about wellbeing and mental health-related issues. 

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact Rhiannon Mehta at Prospectus.

If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you.

In order to apply please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will arrange for a meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon. 

Are you passionate about children’s safety and have the skills and experience to excel in this role and help reclaim the internet for young people? We would love to hear from you!

Breck Foundation

Breck Foundation is at the forefront of efforts to safeguard children and young people online. Our organisation was founded in 2014 in response to the tragic loss of Breck Bednar, a 14-year-old boy who was groomed and murdered by someone he met online. Our work aims to prevent this from ever happening again. Our work saves lives.  We reach thousands of children and young people in schools and other community settings with Breck's story every year. Our talks and educational materials fill a gap in the current UK curriculum that otherwise leaves children vulnerable to online grooming and exploitation.

With 98% of young people now active internet users, current and future generations grow up having to navigate new and evolving digital dangers. We are committed to making the internet a place where children can live, play and thrive in safety. We are helping young people reclaim the internet.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Trusts and Grants Fundraiser to support the work of the Breck Foundation on a freelance basis.

This role is offered for approximately two days per week, providing flexibility alongside the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the development of our fundraising function.

If you are highly organised, detail-oriented, and confident managing competing deadlines - and motivated by making a real difference in keeping young people safe online - this could be an excellent opportunity.

Working closely with the CEO, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering our trusts and grants activity. The focus of the role will be on researching opportunities, developing a strong funding pipeline, and writing high-quality, compelling applications that clearly communicate our impact and vision.

This is a collaborative role, with the CEO leading on overall fundraising strategy and funder relationships. You will support the delivery of that strategy through bid writing, pipeline development, and contributing insight into funding opportunities and direction.

There is genuine potential for this role to grow over time, as part of our longer-term ambition to expand and strengthen a wider income generation function.

About you:

We are looking for someone who:

• Is motivated by purpose-driven work and wants to make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people and families
• Is proactive, self-motivated, and confident working independently in a freelance capacity
• Enjoys problem-solving and managing a varied workload
• Has strong attention to detail and excellent persuasive writing skills
• Has experience securing income from trusts and foundations
• Shares our commitment to safeguarding and online safety education

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!

This is a rewarding opportunity to contribute to a charity with growing national reach and impact. Your work will directly support the delivery of life-saving education, innovative projects, and partnerships with schools, industry, and safeguarding professionals.

If you have a strong track record of securing income from trusts and foundations, along with the initiative, enthusiasm, and passion to support our mission, we encourage you to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with the CEO to plan and prioritise trusts and grants activity, ensuring a focused and strategic pipeline of funding opportunities
• Research and identify suitable trust and grant funders aligned with the Foundation’s work and funding needs
• Write high-quality, compelling funding applications and proposals that clearly communicate impact, need, and outcomes
• Develop tailored content for applications, including adapting core messaging, case for support material, and project information
• Support the development and refinement of a clear and compelling Case for Support, working with colleagues to gather relevant data and stories
• Maintain and manage a pipeline of prospects, tracking application deadlines and progress
• Provide regular, concise updates to the CEO on pipeline activity, submitted bids, and upcoming opportunities
• Collaborate with the wider team to gather information required for strong applications (e.g. budgets, project plans, impact data)
• Ensure accurate record-keeping of applications and funder interactions on the CRM system, in line with GDPR requirements

Experiences:

• Proven experience in trusts and grants fundraising, or a similar income generation role
• Experience of working towards income targets and managing relationships with a range of stakeholders
• Demonstrable success in researching, writing, and securing funding through high-quality applications and proposals
• Experience of developing project budgets and presenting financial information to funders
• Experience of using a CRM system to manage pipelines, analyse data, and report on activity
• Experience of presenting to or engaging different audiences (desirable)
• A track record of securing high-value grants from trusts and foundations (desirable)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of effective supporter care, stewardship, and relationship management
• A genuine interest in online safety and safeguarding, with a commitment to the mission of the Breck Foundation
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce compelling, persuasive funding applications tailored to different audiences
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with funders, partners, and colleagues with professionalism and sensitivity
• High attention to detail, with the ability to maintain accurate records and deliver work to a high standard
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a freelance capacity
• Confident in interpreting budgets, tracking income, and presenting financial information clearly
• Good IT skills, including experience with Microsoft Office and CRM systems
• Ability to work independently, using initiative to identify opportunities and solve problems
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively alongside a small, dedicated team
• Self-motivated, proactive, and driven to achieve results

Project & Fundraising Support Officer

Are you looking to start or grow your career in the charity sector? We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Project & Fundraising Support Officer to assist with our UK and international work preventing and treating needless disability.

Location: Haywards Heath (office-based, with some travel in West Sussex)
Salary: £24,000–£26,000 (35 hours/week)
Contract: Fixed-term (12 months, with intention to extend depending on funding/performance)
Benefits: 25 days holiday + bank holidays, 5% pension, enhanced sick pay

About the role
This is a varied, entry-level role offering hands-on experience across programme delivery, fundraising, communications and administration. You will support our UK nutrition project - the IMPACT Tasty Team - helping deliver community sessions, recruit volunteers, liaise with partners, monitor activities and support fundraising and reporting.

You will also contribute to IMPACT's wider international work, including assisting with fundraising proposals and donor engagement, supporting communications and social media, and helping manage relationships with international partners in Asia and Africa.

About you
We are looking for someone highly motivated, proactive and eager to learn. You will have strong communication and organisational skills, a flexible approach and the ability to work both independently and as part of a small team. A genuine interest in nutrition, community projects, international development and fundraising is essential.

Some relevant experience (paid or voluntary) is desirable but not required.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain broad experience and play a meaningful role in a small, impactful charity.

Eligibility to work in the UK is essential.

Are you a fundraising expert intrigued by the idea of transforming healthcare through the power of volunteering? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you! 
 
Helpforce is on a mission to revolutionise health volunteering, and we’re looking for a dynamic, strategic, and results-driven Head of Business Development & Fundraising to lead this work. This is your chance to shape the future of a award-winning national charity at the intersection of innovation, impact, and social good. 
 
You will develop and deliver an integrated strategy across philanthropic fundraising (grants, trusts, high-net-worth donors) and revenue-generating business development. Reporting to the CEO/SMT and working closely with Communications, Finance, and Programme teams, you’ll ensure strong prioritisation, clear pipeline management, and robust forecasting to support decision-making. 

You’ll also play a visible external role, representing Helpforce at events, building strategic relationships, and identifying new opportunities through proactive networking. 

Since our launch in 2017, we’ve championed a vision where volunteering is integral to healthcare at its best. We work with NHS Trusts and healthcare organisations to co-create volunteering models that address key challenges, while building evidence of their impact. Our insights help health leaders invest in solutions that improve patient experience, ease pressure on staff, and deliver meaningful benefits for the volunteers who give their time and talents. 
 
This is not just any job, this is a chance to make a tangible difference to the lives of millions who receive and deliver healthcare. 
 
Key Responsibilities 
Strategy & Leadership  

• Lead the development and delivery of an integrated income-generation strategy. 
• Identifyand assess new fundraising and business development opportunities. 
• Work with the CEO and SMT to set annual revenue targets, KPIs and income projections, ensuringaccurateandtimelyforecasting. 
• Utilise your senior level networks toidentifynew areas Helpforce canoperatein. 
• Ensure all income-generating activities align withHelpforce’sfinancial strategy andcomply withinternal governance and approval processes.

 
Fundraising  

• Develop and manage a healthy pipeline of funding prospects including trusts, foundations, institutional funders, and HNWIs. 
• Shape and oversee compelling value propositions, funding proposals, donor reports, and stewardship plans – incorporating storytelling into high-calibre content. 
• Manage relationships with existing funders, ensuring high-quality communication and reporting. 
• Ensure full compliance with restricted fund terms and grant agreements, working with Finance tomonitorallocation and utilisation of funding. 
• Uphold ethical fundraising standards and ensure alignment with the Fundraising Regulator Code of Practice. 
• Deliveryearonyeargrowth in fundraising income against agreed targets.

 
Business Development  

• Identifyand develop new markets, partnershipmodelsand products offerings. 
• Leverage the excellenttrack recordand reputation of Helpforce, using our sector-leading evidence of impact to generate new opportunities. Lead the preparation of bids, tenders, proposals, and commercial negotiations, ensuring all opportunities are assessed for fit, feasibility, pricing, and margin. 
• Collaborate with programme managers to package services for sale or partnership. 
• Conduct due diligence on prospective partners and commercial clients to ensure values alignment and manage reputational risk. 

 
Relationship Management  

• Build andmaintainrelationships with donors, funders, corporate partners, and public sector stakeholders. 
• Represent the organisation at external events, conferences, and networking opportunities to raise visibility and strengthen the organisation’s profile. 
• Support senior-level relationship-building with strategic funders and institutional partners, working alongside the CEO and Trustees whereappropriate. 
• Maintain a focused approach to cultivatinga number ofhighpotentialrelationships positioned forlongtermor multiyear support.

 
Finance & Reporting  

• Set, monitor, and report on income targets, pipeline health,ROIand overall income performance against agreed KPIs. 
• Develop budgets and financial forecasts for all income streams ensuring accuracy, transparency, andtimelyupdates for senior decision-making. .
• Liaise with the Finance team to ensureaccuratetracking, reporting and audit-readiness. 
• Collaborate with Finance to ensureaccuratefunder-specific financial reporting, including restricted/unrestricted income reporting and grant reconciliations. 
• Monitor income and expenditure related to income generation activities, support financial planning, and advise on funding risks and sustainability. 
• Provideclear insights into income confidence levels, timelines, risks, and mitigation actions. 

 
Person Specification  
Essential  

• 5 years of senior-level experience in fundraising, business development, or strategic partnerships. 
• Proventrack recordof raising significant funding (6–7 figure). 
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering successful income-generation strategies. 
• Above excellent written communication and document design skills (grant writing, proposals, reporting). 
• Strong negotiation, commercialawarenessand contract management skills. 
• Highly confident in face-to-face relationship building, networking and able torepresentHelpforce effectively at external meetings, events, and conferences. 
• Proven ability toidentifyand build new strategic relationships across diverse sectors, including government agencies, NHS, philanthropy, and corporate partners. 
• Ability to work with resilience,maintainmomentum under pressure, and adapt quickly to evolving opportunities. 

 
Desirable  

• Experience in a non-profit, NGO, social enterprise, or impact-driven business. 
• Knowledge of CRM systems and fundraising databases. 
• Sector knowledge: [e.g. healthcare]. 

 
Equality and Diversity 
Helpforce encourages applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries. We're committed to having a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. We actively encourage BAME and disabled applicants and value the positive impact that difference has on our organisation. We are committed to equality and diversity within our workforce and all opportunities provided by Helpforce. 

Location
Remote, but travel to the London office will be required, as will UK wide client meetings. 
 
Closing date for applications is 9th April 2026. Please use the application link to send us your CV and a covering letter to support your application. Applications submitted without a covering letter may not be considered. 
 
REF-227 559

About Us

The Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship is one of the four Loyal Societies supported by His Majesty The King and has been promoting friendship and hospitality across Commonwealth nations since 1901. We remain committed to our founding belief that education, in its broadest sense, is the foundation of human development.

Currently, we are proud to offer Commonwealth students the opportunity to become part of a Commonwealth family, whose values are decency, respect for others, understanding, tolerance, integrity and partnership. 

One of our key priorities is to provide a vibrant student house for young Commonwealth students to live in when attending a university or college in London, to make lifelong friends and to learn from each other in a safe and secure environment. The Victoria League Student House is an affordable 'home away from home' whilst studying in London.

About the Role

As General Manager, you will play a central role in leading and developing the work of The Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship, raising its profile and ensuring its long-term sustainability. You will oversee the overall management of the charity, alongside the effective operation of the Victoria League Student House.

This is a broad and hands-on leadership position, combining strategic development with day-to-day operational oversight. You will drive key fundraising initiatives and business development opportunities, as well as support the House Manager and their team, and the Membership and Administration Officer.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and growth of the charity
• Drive fundraising and build partnerships
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Student House
• Support and manage staff
• Ensure effective financial management and governance
• Promote the charity through events, communications, and stakeholder engagement
• Oversee property management and health and safety for the Student House.

Private accommodation at Student House may be available for a reduced salary and on call duties. 

Please see attached the full Job Description and Person Specification.

If you seek a fresh and rewarding challenge, look no further than Open Country! Seeking to help disabled people to access and enjoy the countryside, we embrace a wide range of fundraising methods, so this role could be adapted to suit either full-time or part-time work. We are also able to cater for your particular skill set, though core duties would likely include: 

• Researching and writing grant applications to charitable trusts, grant-making bodies and other funders.
• Developing and delivering new and imaginative community fundraising activities.
• Encouraging appropriate corporate sponsorship and fundraising.
• Developing and delivering Open Country fundraising events and third-party events.

This is a hands-on, dynamic role requiring creativity, insight and panache, coupled with great communication and relationship-building skills.

You will work collaboratively with our Finance and Fundraising Manager at our Head Office in Harrogate, though an element of home working can be considered.

Appointment to this post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check. 

About this role:

We are seeking a motivated and experienced professional to lead our fundraising and partnership development activities, supporting the diversification and growth of income across both established and emerging streams. While the role will place significant emphasis on corporate fundraising, it will also involve the strategic development of grants and trusts. You will develop strong relationships with funders, identify new opportunities, and support our members to build their own grassroots fundraising capabilities.

Working closely with both colleagues and members, you'll help shape our funding strategy, develop high quality proposals, and ensure we have the systems and insight needed for sustainable growth. Your contributions will enable us to expand our work to engage and empower communities across Britain. 

In addition, you will help shape the guidance we provide to members of the community rail movement, strengthening their grassroots fundraising capabilities and approaches.

Main responsibilities

• Manage and grow corporate relationships for the benefit of Community Rail Network and its members, nurturing effective, lasting relationships that help community rail to deliver on its aims around community development, sustainable travel, and inclusion.
• Conduct prospect research to identify new corporate supporters and relevant grant opportunities, taking a proactive approach to cultivating new leads, building networks and flagging upcoming opportunities well in advance to ensure sufficient preparation time.
• Engage, listen and pitch to funders, understanding shared priorities, articulating the value of partnering with us, and securing continued or increased support. 
• Work cross-team to create strong proposals, using member and partner insights to identify funding needs and opportunities, and develop compelling cases for support and budgets.
• Develop joint grant applications by collaborating with colleagues, members and external partners to create bids aligned with our strategic aims and which recognise our current strengths, resources and prioritie
• Support strategic funding development, working closely with the senior leadership team to shape our approach and deliver against funding objectives and ensure it is understood by colleagues.
• Champion a positive fundraising culture and ethos, providing expertise and contributing member support, training, and events across the community rail movement.
• Contribute to wider organisational activity, including using major events and campaigns, such as the Community Rail Awards, to advance fundraising efforts.
• Develop and maintain effective fundraising systems, including funder reporting, review processes, and tracking KPIs to monitor progress and impact.

Skills, competencies and experience

1. Proven skills and experience in third sector fundraising, including corporate fundraising, grant management and funder reporting, with a broad understanding of the full fundraising mix and ability to spot new opportunities.
2. A demonstrable proactive approach to relationship building, with experience engaging and stewarding funders to create long-term mutually beneficial partnerships.
3. Strong proposal/grant application and report writing skills, able to tailor communication for different audiences and stakeholders to maximise clarity, relevance and impact.
4. Excellent verbal and written communication, with the ability to gather insight and inspire engagement both internally and externally.
5. Strong organisational and time management skills, able to balance multiple and competing  priorities and meet deadlines effectively. 
6. Experience of, or demonstrable understanding of, membership organisations, including the ability to balance member needs with our organisational objectives.
7. Appreciation of and commitment to community development, empowerment and sustainability, and the value of community engagement in relation to transport.
8. Solid understanding of KPIs, targets, budgeting, and risk management, with the ability to plan, track and evaluate performance effectively.
9. A proactive, positive and self-motivated mindset, able to work independently, collaborate well, and inspire confidence in others.
10. IT literate, with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, TEAMs, the internet and social media.

Other information

This post is home-based, but with travel (including occasional overnight stays) for team meetings, events, member engagement, and external meetings. This is a permanent position and includes a probationary period of three months from the date of appointment. Successful applicants will need to provide proof that they have the right to work in the UK and provide two references.

Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising up to 30 days, plus Bank Holidays, in line with long service); pension with employer contribution of 3%; flexi-time working (core hours 10am-3pm); access to Employee Assistance Programme. 

We are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer.

Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.

About Us

We are a dedicated charity supporting individuals with learning disabilities to lead fulfilling, independent, and valued lives. Our work is rooted in respect, inclusion, and person centred practice. As the charity continues to develop, we are strengthening our strategic capacity to grow income, partnerships, and profile.

Role Purpose

To lead and deliver the charity’s income generation and external engagement strategy, ensuring sustainable growth in funding and a strong community profile that reflects the organisation’s mission and impact.

Key Responsibilities

Income Generation & Fundraising Strategy

Develop and implement a rolling 3-year fundraising strategy.
Identify, research and secure grant funding from trusts, foundations and statutory sources.
Prepare compelling funding applications and impact reports.
Develop individual and community fundraising initiatives.
Explore corporate partnerships and sponsorship.

Grants & Donor Engagement

Maintain positive relationships with funders, donors, and supporters.
Support the development of collaborative projects and joint funding opportunities.
Prepare clear and timely funding reports and impact updates.
Support trustee involvement in fundraising where appropriate.

Marketing & Communications

Oversee website content and development.
Lead social media and digital engagement.
Represent the charity at meetings, events, and networks to strengthen visibility and influence.
Promote the charity’s services, values, and impact within the local community.

Person Specification

Proven track record in grant applications & fundraising.
Strong written communication skills.
Experience in charity marketing or communications desirable.
Ability to work strategically and independently.
Understanding of the learning disability or social care sector desirable.
Strong digital skills.
Organised and self-motivated.
Comfortable working closely with trustees and senior staff.

CLOSING DATE 31st March 2026