Head of fundraising jobs in Bristol, city of bristol
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Head of Fundraising & Philanthropy
Permanent | Full-time (37.5 hours per week) - Flexible working arrangements considered.
Salary: £45,056–£49,417 (dependent on experience)
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Bristol (Hybrid working)
Help Transform the Future of Rivers Across the Bristol Avon
This is a rare opportunity to build something that will have a lasting impact.
Over the past several years, Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) has become one of the UK's fastest-growing Rivers Trusts, securing investment to restore rivers, reconnect habitats, reduce flooding and engage communities across the Bristol Avon catchment.
Now we're ready for the next stage of our journey.
We are looking for an ambitious and experienced fundraising leader to build and lead an entirely new area of our organisation - developing sustainable voluntary income that enables us to do more than project funding alone can achieve.
This is an opportunity to create something from the ground up. You will shape our fundraising strategy, diversify our income, build long-term relationships with supporters and partners, and unlock investment that will directly improve rivers, wildlife and communities across our region.
If you're motivated by building successful fundraising programmes with genuine environmental impact, we'd love to hear from you.
About Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
Founded in 2012, Bristol Avon Rivers Trust works across the Bristol Avon catchment to restore rivers for wildlife, people and the local economy.
Everything we do is guided by the best available science and a catchment based approach, working across entire catchments to improve biodiversity, climate resilience, water quality and flood resilience.
Since 2023, the Trust has experienced significant growth. We now employ around 20 staff, deliver approximately £1.3 million of projects annually, and work alongside local partnerships, farmers, landowners, communities, local authorities, businesses and government agencies.
Our ambition over the next five years is even greater.
To deliver our Strategy 2025–2030, we need to complement our strong track record in project funding with a sustainable programme of unrestricted and philanthropic income.
About the Role
Help shape the future Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART).
This is much more than a fundraising role.
You'll have the opportunity to design and lead BART's long-term fundraising strategy, creating entirely new income streams that will support restoration of rivers, education, community engagement, project development and organisational resilience.
Our immediate priority is to diversify our income beyond project grants by growing:
- Individual giving
- Philanthropic and charitable foundation support
- Corporate partnerships
- Major donors
- Legacy giving
- Unrestricted income opportunities
While these priorities have been identified strategically, we are looking for someone with the experience and creativity to refine the approach, test new ideas and build a sustainable fundraising programme for the future.
Success during your first 12 months will include:
- Developing and launching BART's fundraising strategy
- Building a compelling case for supporting the Trust’s work
- Establishing a strong pipeline of unrestricted income opportunities
- Growing relationships and excellent communications with supporters and funders
- Embedding fundraising across the organisation
- Creating clear KPIs and reporting frameworks with the CEO and Trustees
This is a highly strategic position reporting directly to the Chief Executive.
The successful candidate will work closely with an engaged Leadership Team and supportive Board of Trustees, who recognise fundraising as a strategic priority for the organisation's future growth.
Our CEO has extensive experience securing major grant funding and developing partnerships, and will work closely alongside you to help establish and grow this new function.
As with any investment in fundraising, success will be measured against mutually agreed objectives and long-term growth rather than immediate financial return. We recognise that developing sustainable fundraising takes time, and we are committed to supporting the successful candidate to build a lasting programme.
What You'll Be Doing
You will:
- Develop and implement BART's Fundraising and Philanthropy Strategy.
- Diversify unrestricted income from individuals, trusts and foundations, philanthropy, corporate partnerships, legacies and other voluntary income streams.
- Develop a compelling organisational Case for Support aligned to BART's Five-Year Strategy.
- Work with the CEO and Leadership Team to establish fundraising priorities and KPIs.
- Lead fundraising campaigns, communications, and supporter engagement initiatives.
- Manage and develop BART's supporter journey using our Beacon CRM system.
- Work closely with our Trust Administrator, who provides administrative support to the organisation, including support for CRM administration and fundraising processes.
- Coordinate fundraising activity across the Trust and ensure opportunities are maximised.
- Build strong relationships with major donors, funders and strategic partners.
- Ensure compliance with the Fundraising Regulator's Code of Fundraising Practice.
- Report regularly to the Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.
Why This Role is Different
This is an opportunity to build a fundraising programme with exceptional foundations already in place.
You will benefit from:
- A highly respected and growing environmental charity.
- Strong project delivery with proven environmental impact.
- An experienced CEO with a successful track record of securing significant funding and developing strategic partnerships.
- A supportive Board committed to growing fundraising.
- A database managed through Beacon CRM.
- A recognised and trusted regional brand with significant opportunities for growth.
You'll have genuine freedom to shape the future direction of fundraising at BART.
About You
We're looking for someone who is ambitious, entrepreneurial and excited by creating something new.
You'll ideally have:
- At least five years' experience in fundraising or philanthropy.
- Experience developing fundraising strategies and delivering income growth.
- Knowledge of trusts, foundations, philanthropy, individual giving or corporate fundraising.
- Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills.
- Strong planning and project management skills.
- Experience using CRM systems (Beacon experience welcomed but not essential).
- Excellent written communication, storytelling and bid-writing skills.
- The ability to translate complex environmental work into compelling fundraising propositions.
- A passion for rivers and their recovery and creating meaningful impact.
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas closure.
- Holiday increases with length of service.
- 9% employer pension contribution.
- Life Assurance.
- Hybrid and flexible working.
- A supportive and collaborative team culture.
- Professional development opportunities.
Why Join BART?
Healthy rivers are fundamental to tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, flood resilience and community wellbeing.
Joining BART means becoming part of a passionate, ambitious organisation that delivers measurable environmental change every day.
Most importantly, this role gives you the opportunity to build something with lasting impact.
The fundraising programme you create will enable thousands more people to connect with and restore rivers across the Bristol Avon catchment for generations to come.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and supported.
We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and communities, particularly those underrepresented within the environmental sector.
How to Apply
Please send a CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role before 11:59pm on Friday 17th July
Further Information
To learn more about our work, visit:
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Enham Trust is one of the UK’s longest-established disability charities, supporting disabled people to live, work and enjoy life for more than 100 years. As part of the wider Aster Group, Enham continues to deliver specialist services with a clear social purpose.
We are seeking an experienced and proactive Interim Head of Fundraising to provide operational oversight and work with senior leaders on the strategic development of income generation during an important period for the charity.
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Income Generation, Fundraising and Engagement, you will lead and support a small but committed fundraising team, including the Corporate Partnerships Manager and Valued Donor Fundraiser, while ensuring robust governance and fundraising compliance across the function.
This is a leadership role where success will come from your ability to guide and support the team, and ensure fundraising activity is delivered in line with best practice and regulatory requirements.
There is an established senior leadership presence within the fundraising function, and this role has been created to provide additional capacity and continuity during a period of need. It offers an opportunity to build on existing work and maintain momentum while supporting the team and wider organisational priorities.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and direction to the fundraising team, supporting performance, development and delivery.
- Produce high-quality reports, analysis and updates for senior stakeholders and Boards.
- Ensure compliance with fundraising legislation, the Code of Fundraising Practice and wider governance requirements.
- Oversee fundraising policies, processes and risk management frameworks.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across Enham Trust and the wider Aster Group.
- Monitor fundraising performance, KPIs and budget management.
About You
We welcome candidates from a broad fundraising leadership or management background. What is essential is your ability to provide strategic leadership and confidently navigate fundraising governance and compliance frameworks.
You will bring:
- Fundraising leadership experience.
- Strong knowledge of the Code of Fundraising Practice, fundraising regulation and charity governance.
- Experience producing reports and presenting information to senior leadership teams and Boards.
- A track record of leading, motivating and developing fundraising teams.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Confidence working autonomously in a remote environment
- Experience using CRM systems, ideally Donorfy.
- A collaborative, solutions-focused approach, with the confidence to challenge and improve existing ways of working.
Why Join Enham Trust?
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a unique organisation that has been championing opportunities for disabled people for over a century. From its accessible community and employment programmes to its care, housing and retail services, Enham Trust delivers life-changing support every day.
You'll join a passionate team with strong organisational backing, ambitious plans, and the freedom to bring fresh thinking, leadership and expertise to the fundraising function.
Working Arrangements
- Fully remote role (Travel to Andover approximately once per month to meet with the team)
- Occasional travel to fundraising events and meetings as required.
- Fixed-term contract for 4 months.
If you're an experienced fundraising leader who thrives on strategy, governance, team development and driving improvement, we'd love to hear from you. To register your interest please apply here, or for more information contact Leanne or Jen at Charity Horizons.
Please note: If you would like to submit an application or express your interest in an alternative format, such as audio or video upload, please contact either Charlie or Leanne who will be happy to advise on this. Also, please let us know if you require any adaptations for your initial engagement with us.
Please also be aware that we use anonymous recruitment methods when submitting shortlists for all our roles and we only work with organisations that are happy to engage with us in this way.
Charity Horizons is an equal opportunities employer and as such actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from all suitable candidates irrespective of age, disability, hidden disability, race or national origin, religion or belief, gender, gender expression, political view, sexual orientation, medical condition, and pregnancy.
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Thank you!
This new role will be equally divided between Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland and Vineyard Global.
Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland (VCUKI) is a growing movement of churches, built on God’s transforming word, who worship God with passion, intimacy and expectation. We exist to participate in the advancement of the Kingdom of God through the work of local Vineyard churches that communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and practise.
The Vineyard movement is growing worldwide, with churches now established in countries on six continents. Increasingly, the Vineyard churches within a country are coming together to form national Associations of Vineyard Churches (AVCs), each led by its own national leadership.
Vineyard Global exists to bring together and strengthen those AVCs, and is itself an association. Through its Council, its Leaders, Leadership Team and Trustees, it also provides guidance and support to the Vineyard movement as it emerges, thrives and grows across the world.
The Role
Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland (VCUKI) and Vineyard Global are looking for a dedicated Head of Fundraising to join our team and help us expand our impact through effective fundraising initiatives.
This is a remote position for someone based in the UK, with the expectation to work at a VCUKI office two days a month. The role is full-time and reports to the VCUKI National Coordinator.
This is a new position that offers an exciting opportunity to grow, develop, and shape the fundraising strategy for our national movement. The Head of Fundraising will be responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy aimed at securing donations from major donors, trusts, foundations, and corporations.
The successful candidate will collaborate closely with Vineyard Churches UK and Ireland as well as Vineyard Global. They will work with movement leaders and Vineyard staff to maximise fundraising opportunities and establish long-term relationships with donors. The candidate should be a starter finisher as this is a new area of development for both VCUKI and Vineyard Global, and over time, it is anticipated that the post-holder will build a team to assist with key aspects of the role. We are looking for a graduate with a proven track record in fundraising within the nonprofit sector, especially someone who has successfully secured large donations and grants. If you're a self-motivated individual who thrives on networking and possesses the ability to influence and persuade a variety of stakeholders, we want to hear from you!
The interview date will provisionally be w/c 6th July 2026.
Please see the job description and person specification for more information.
To apply, please click the link.
Vineyard Churches UK and Ireland is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.
Occupational Requirement
As this role will require the successful applicant to promote the Christian values of the Vineyard church movement and provide individuals with Christian pastoral support, it is an Occupational Requirement that the successful candidate is a practicing Christian, who regularly attends Sunday church services and can agree with the VCUKI Statement of Faith and Ethos Statement.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.