Head of fundraising jobs in Bristol, city of bristol

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

Salary: £45,000–£47,000 FTE (depending on experience)
Hours: 30–35 hours per week
Location: Hybrid/home-based. Ideally within easy reach of Chelmsford and London. Regular travel to meet colleagues, funders and visit programmes across England.
Reporting to: CEO

Be part of a mission that's transforming children's futures through food, farming and the countryside

For more than 45 years, The Country Trust has been connecting children from the UK's most disadvantaged communities with the land that sustains us all. Through inspiring farm visits, food education and countryside experiences, we've already reached more than 600,000 children, and we're just getting started.

We're entering an exciting new chapter as we develop our next organisational strategy, and we're looking for an experienced fundraising leader to help shape our future.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an ambitious and strategic fundraiser to join our Senior Leadership Team and lead the next phase of our income growth, enabling even more children to benefit from our life-changing programmes.

About the role

As Head of Fundraising, you'll provide strategic leadership across all fundraising activity while remaining hands-on in securing major income and developing key relationships.

You'll lead a dedicated fundraising team, drive innovation, strengthen fundraising systems and processes, and develop a sustainable fundraising strategy that diversifies income across:

• Trusts and foundations
• Corporate partnerships
• Major donors
• Individual giving
• Legacies
• Gaming and Streaming for Good
• Emerging fundraising opportunities

Working closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team, Digital and IT colleagues, you'll help embed new fundraising systems, champion data-driven decision making and ensure fundraising excellence across the organisation.

About you

We're looking for an inspiring fundraising leader who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery.

You'll bring:

• Significant senior-level fundraising leadership experience
• A proven track record of securing substantial income across multiple fundraising streams
• Experience developing and delivering fundraising strategies that drive sustainable growth
• Strong leadership skills with experience developing high-performing teams
• Excellent relationship-building, communication and influencing skills
• Financial and commercial awareness, including budgeting and forecasting
• Knowledge of fundraising regulation, GDPR and fundraising best practice
• A passion for improving opportunities for disadvantaged children

Experience developing new income streams, digital fundraising and CRM systems would be particularly valuable.

Why join us?

At The Country Trust, you'll be joining an ambitious charity where collaboration, learning and innovation are at the heart of everything we do.

We offer:

• Hybrid and flexible working
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (FTE)
• Workplace pension
• Homeworking allowance
• Mileage and agreed travel expenses
• A supportive, values-led culture
• The opportunity to shape our future strategy and make a lasting difference to children's lives

We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Key dates

Closing date: 12pm, 3 August
Shortlisting: 6 August
Interviews: Week commencing 24 August

The Country Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Maternity Cover
Salary: £48,748 - £54,164
Plus London Weighting Allowance of £3,366 for Inner London-based staff, where applicable

If you are an experienced mass participation fundraising leader who wants your work to make a lasting difference, this is an opportunity to lead high-profile fundraising activity that helps protect children and improve childhoods across the UK.

This senior role sits within a supporter-led fundraising function and is responsible for leading a mass participation portfolio spanning third party events, DIY fundraising and schools fundraising. You will provide leadership to the team, shape fundraising strategy, strengthen supporter journeys and drive sustainable income growth.

This maternity cover role needs someone who can provide calm and credible leadership, and support a team through an important period that includes a London Marathon over two days, The Great North Run and the Cardiff Half Marathon, and the continued development of fundraising products.

Why this role matters
You will join at a pivotal time, leading a function that plays an important part in fundraising strategy by bringing in new supporters, deepening relationships and increasing long-term value. You will help ensure that participants receive an excellent experience while maximising the income they generate.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading a mass participation fundraising portfolio across third party events, DIY fundraising and schools fundraising, with accountability for performance and growth
• Owning budget performance across core income streams, including monitoring, managing and reforecasting financial performance and putting contingency plans in place where needed
• Developing and delivering strategy for participant acquisition, stewardship and retention, ensuring supporters are onboarded well and encouraged to build a longer-term relationship
• Leading and developing a team through coaching, mentoring, performance management and regular engagement
• Working collaboratively across departments to build strong supporter journeys, compelling propositions and coordinated plans
• Managing key agency and supplier relationships that support income growth and supporter satisfaction
• Helping the team navigate a busy year, including a new two-day London Marathon, growth in schools fundraising products and improvements to the DIY fundraising offer
• Supporting team wellbeing, removing blockers for experienced managers and giving more hands-on guidance where needed

What we’re looking for

• Significant leadership experience in mass participation fundraising, including events, DIY fundraising or schools fundraising
• Strong strategic planning and development skills, with the ability to identify opportunities for growth
• Substantial experience of budget management and financial planning
• Good understanding of acquisition marketing strategies and integrated marketing planning
• Strong people leadership skills, including managing a diverse and geographically dispersed team and adapting your approach to different levels of experience
• The ability to influence senior stakeholders, build strong peer relationships and keep complex projects moving forward
• Experience of managing supplier and agency relationships, including performance and service delivery
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively
• A strong understanding of the financial drivers behind fundraising performance, including metrics such as average gift and remittance rates
• Willingness to work flexibly and travel to support a national events portfolio

Working pattern
The team largely works remotely, with quarterly in-person meetings in London and occasional travel to major events. Hybrid contracts are also available. The role will require attendance at key events and some travel as needed.

What’s on offer

• Salary of £48,748 - £54,164
• London Weighting Allowance of £3,366 for Inner London-based staff, where applicable
• The opportunity to lead an established fundraising area that plays an important role in generating support for children across the UK

Our commitment
A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk is essential for this role.

We are committed to fairness, equality and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and passionate Head of Fundraising to play a significant role in the growth of Bags of Taste. 

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and proactive individual who is keen to make a tangible difference. The issues of health and well-being across the population and food insecurity are urgent and our work directly addresses these critical issues. 

You’ll be responsible for fundraising and delivering a plan to raise funds from a variety of sources - including trusts and foundations, digital fundraising and individual giving. You’ll work with our corporate and community fundraiser to raise income through corporate partnerships and community fundraising. We expect that trusts and foundations funding will form a large part of this role and this includes securing larger and multi year grants. 

Bags of Taste is a small and ambitious charity and you’ll be an integral part of our growth and be able to make this your own role. Working closely with our CEO and being part of the management team, you’ll be involved in organisation wide decision making and strategy. 

We’re looking for someone with a track record in fundraising and income generation within the charity sector, who shares our commitment to empowering local people and creating happier and healthier communities for life.

Key responsibilities

Whilst we appreciate that many fundraising skills can be transferable, we’re looking specifically for someone with charity fundraising experience for this role. 

Income generation

• Develop and implement a fundraising strategy to raise funds from a variety of sources(trusts and foundations,companies, individuals, digital fundraising, the community and events).
• Research funding opportunities and develop and approach a pipeline of prospects
• Implement systems across Bags of Taste to ensure all funding is maximised
• Achieve agreed income targets
• Prepare budgets and track income and forecasts
• Develop persuasive funding proposals,cases for support and reports
• Develop new funding or partnership opportunities through presentations, applications, pitches and proposals
• Create awareness of fundraising at Bags of Taste 
• Attend networking events  

Relationship Development and Stewardship 

• Build and maintain relationships with funders, partners, donors, trustees and key stakeholders
• Ensure excellent stewardship for all funders and donors in order to build strong, long term relationships. 

Management 

• Manage the Corporate and Community Fundraiser
• Manage any other fundraising team members if the team grows
• Manage and support any volunteers and work with external agencies/partners.

General 

• Maintain accurate records across all fundraising income streams including contact and relationship and financial data
• Ensure all activity complies with all fundraising regulations, GDPR and all relevant legal requirements 
• Prepare reports and data for the Board of Trustees/management team
• Support finance staff with preparation of the annual accounts and financial recording
• Monitor and manage fundraising risks
• Attend and support networking events or other events or fundraising activity as required to represent Bags of Taste, including occasional working outside of normal office hours, including some evenings or weekend

Person specification

Essential 

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience managing a number of fundraising streams in a charity
• Experience of successfully securing large/multi-year grants from trusts and foundations
• Track record of reaching income targets.
• Experience of developing fundraising strategies and plans 
• Experience of managing staff
• Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills 
• Excellent written skills - you’ll need to be able to write compelling presentations, proposals, applications and reports
• Excellent relationship builder and ability to network, build, and nurture relationships with a wide variety of people
• Strong negotiation skills
• Excellent organisation and project management skills and ability to work to tight deadlines
• Proactive, self motivated and tenacious 
• Self starter with the ability to set your own workload
• Strong attention to detail 
• Strong IT skills including all word packages 
• Good knowledge of all social media channels including relationship building on Linked in 
• Good understanding of the relevant fundraising codes of practice and GDPR/data protection
• Passion for the work of Bags of Taste 
• Flexible and able to attend networking events/events occasionally out of work hours as part of the role.

Desirable

• A relevant professional qualification eg Institute of Fundraising Certificate or Diploma in Fundraising 
• Experience of charity communications
• Good understanding of CANVA and WordPress
• Good understanding and knowledge of food insecurity and health issues

We recommend you read the full job pack before applying. 

Why join Bags of Taste?

● You’ll be part of a small, ambitious organisation with a big vision and a strong sense of purpose. The issues around health inequalities and poor diets and the need for solutions are critical. There are lots of opportunities to raise funds. 

● This is a hugely flexible role in a supportive organisation.

About Bags of Taste

The work of Bags of Taste and the issues that we tackle are highly topical and relevant so there's lots of opportunities and scope to raise funds. Our vision that everyone should be able to access and cook good food has never been more important. 

We address dietary related health inequalities and food insecurity - both these issues have been exacerbated by the current cost of living crisis and public health challenges. There is recognition now that food banks are not a sustainable solution and Bags of Taste works across a number of high need communities enabling people to be happier, healthier and more resilient.