Trust fundraiser jobs

Be part of a small, ambitious charity transforming cleft care in the UK and around the world.
Use your trusts and foundations expertise to unlock funding that directly changes lives.

At CLEFT, we are building long term, sustainable solutions for people born with cleft lip and palate. We fund pioneering research in the UK and work hand in hand with healthcare teams globally to create lasting, high quality cleft services. Every grant secured helps improve treatment, train clinicians and ensure people can access care for life.

This is a pivotal role at an exciting stage in our growth. As our Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser, you will take ownership of a portfolio of funders, developing strong relationships and securing income that directly supports our work. You will join a small, committed team where your ideas are valued and your impact is visible from day one.

We are looking for someone who already understands grant fundraising and can work with confidence and independence. You will be trusted to manage your own pipeline, write compelling applications and reports, and proactively seek new opportunities. In return, you will have the flexibility to shape your work, contribute to wider fundraising plans and grow alongside the organisation.

This role offers the chance to:

• Play a central role in a mission driven charity with global reach
• Build meaningful relationships with funders who care about long term impact
• Work remotely or in a way that suits you, with flexibility built in
• See the direct results of your work in improved care and outcomes

If you are motivated by purpose, thrive on ownership, and want your fundraising skills to make a tangible difference, we would love to hear from you.

Grants Fundraiser (Trusts and Foundations)

Location: Remotely based (with 1 day a month in Bromley)

Salary: £26,000 FTE (pro rata to £13,000 per annum)

Vacancy Type: Permanent,Part Time (2.5 days per week)

About Us:

Greener and Cleaner is a grassroots, community-led charity based in Bromley. Founded in 2019 by local residents, we support people and organisations to take practical action on climate change and sustainable living at home, at work and in their communities.

We have grown from a volunteer-led initiative into a thriving community charity, with thousands of engaged members and volunteers. We are a collaborative organisation, working closely with our team, volunteers and wider community to create inclusive, non-judgemental spaces that encourage learning, participation and behaviour change.

About the role:

We are looking for a Fundraiser to support the development of our trusts and grants income as we continue to grow, working as a vital part of our wider fundraising activity.

This is a great opportunity to build upon your existing fundraising and bid writing experience, working closely with the Fundraising Manager to research opportunities, support applications and help develop a strong pipeline of funding.

What you’ll do:

• Research and identify relevant trusts and grant opportunities
• Support the development of funding applications and materials
• Help manage and maintain a pipeline of opportunities
• Gather information and data to support strong applications
• Support reporting requirements linked to funding

What we’re looking for:

• Experience of writing successful funding applications (ideally 4 and 5 figure)
• An interest in fundraising, sustainability and/or community work
• Strong research and organisational skills
• Good written communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Greener and Cleaner is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those who are underrepresented in the environmental and sustainability space. We value different perspectives, experiences and ways of thinking, and believe these strengthen our work and impact.

How to Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Greener and Cleaner, please do not hesitate to apply.

First stage interviews will be virtual and have been pencilled in for Tuesday 7th and 14th July.

0.5 FTE – 18.75 hours per week (flexible working)
Salary: £30,000-£32,000 FTE depending on experience
Location: Hybrid working with one regular day or half-day per week in Abingdon/Oxfordshire, alongside home working and occasional external meetings

About Quest for Learning

Quest for Learning is an education charity working to close the gap for primary school children in Oxfordshire who are falling behind due to disadvantage.

We work closely with schools to deliver targeted, evidence-led literacy and numeracy programmes that help children build the skills, confidence and foundations they need to thrive. Many of the children we support are growing up in poverty, facing barriers linked to low family literacy, unmet additional needs, unstable home circumstances, or limited access to wider opportunities.

Our programmes are delivered by experienced professional tutors and are built around structured interventions, strong school partnerships and measurable outcomes. On average, pupils supported through our small-group tutoring make around 13 months of progress in just 10 hours of support.

Quest for Learning is entering an important new stage of development. Following a period of organisational growth and strategic transition, we are investing in building a more sustainable and ambitious fundraising function that can deepen our impact and reach more children across Oxfordshire.

This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping that journey.

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to join a small but ambitious charity at a genuinely exciting stage of development.

You’ll have:

• Real ownership and autonomy within your role
• The opportunity to help shape and build a growing fundraising function
• Close working relationships with the CEO and leadership team
• Flexibility and hybrid working arrangements
• The chance to make a direct and measurable difference to children facing disadvantage
• Opportunities for progression as the organisation grows

We are intentionally investing in fundraising and organisational growth, and this role offers the opportunity to help shape a developing fundraising function within an ambitious, evidence-led charity with strong foundations and significant future potential.

We are a collaborative, supportive and purpose-driven team that values initiative, professionalism, creativity and compassion.

Role purpose

We are seeking a proactive, highly organised and motivated fundraiser to lead and grow our trusts and grants fundraising activity.

This role will focus primarily on identifying funding opportunities, developing compelling applications, managing funder relationships and building a strong pipeline of income to support Quest for Learning’s future growth.

The successful candidate will play a key role in helping us develop a more strategic and sustainable fundraising approach. We are looking for someone who can combine strong written communication and attention to detail with initiative, pace and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

This role would suit someone with existing trusts fundraising experience, or someone with highly transferable skills who can learn quickly and thrive in a fast-moving environment.

You will work closely with the CEO, programme staff and trustees, with access to strong impact data, established programmes and a compelling case for support.

Alongside this role, Quest for Learning is also exploring the development of an additional partnerships-focused fundraising role. We are open-minded about how responsibilities are ultimately structured and welcome applications from candidates with a range of backgrounds, experiences and strengths.

Key responsibilities

Trusts and foundations fundraising

• Research and identify prospective trusts, foundations and grant opportunities
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of funding prospects
• Develop and submit high-quality, tailored funding applications
• Manage multiple applications and deadlines simultaneously
• Produce timely and well-written monitoring reports and evaluations
• Work closely with programme staff to gather impact data, case studies and delivery information
• Maintain accurate records of applications, deadlines and funder communications within Beacon CRM
• Monitor fundraising performance and contribute to pipeline tracking and forecasting
• Support the development of longer-term funding strategies and priorities

Relationship management and stewardship

• Build positive and professional relationships with funders and supporters
• Arrange and attend occasional meetings with funders and partners where appropriate
• Ensure strong stewardship and communication throughout the funding lifecycle
• Support the CEO in managing strategic funding relationships

Organisational Contribution

• Contribute to the ongoing development of Quest for Learning’s fundraising function and systems
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation
• Represent Quest for Learning professionally and passionately to external audiences
• Contribute ideas and insight to support organisational growth and sustainability

Person specification

We recognise that strong fundraisers do not always come from traditional charity fundraising backgrounds. If you have transferable skills and experience in areas such as bid writing, partnerships, relationship management, education, sales, communications, account management or business development - and are excited by our mission - we would strongly encourage you to apply.

Essential

• Excellent written communication skills with strong attention to detail
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Ability to work independently and proactively
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Confidence using databases, spreadsheets and digital systems
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively
• Commitment to the mission and values of Quest for Learning
• Experience of writing successful funding applications, bids, proposals or other persuasive written content

Desirable

• Experience in trusts and foundations fundraising within the charity sector
• Experience using Beacon CRM or similar fundraising databases
• Understanding of monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting
• Experience within education, children’s services or related sectors
• Knowledge of the Oxfordshire funding landscape
• Experience working within a small charity or growing organisation

What success looks like in this role

Successful performance in this role is likely to include:

• Building and maintaining a strong and active funding pipeline
• Producing a consistent volume of high-quality applications and reports
• Securing significant grant income for the charity
• Developing strong funder relationships and stewardship practices
• Contributing to the growth and professionalisation of Quest for Learning’s fundraising function
• Helping position Quest for Learning for sustainable long-term growth

As Quest for Learning grows, we expect this role to develop too, with opportunities to shape strategy and take on increasing responsibility over time.

Who thrives at Quest for Learning?

People who tend to thrive at Quest for Learning are:

• proactive and solutions-focused
• motivated by meaningful impact
• comfortable working independently while collaborating closely with others
• excited by helping build and improve systems and processes
• adaptable, thoughtful and motivated to grow professionally alongside the organisation

Working arrangements

• 0.5 FTE with flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid role combining home working with one regular day or half-day per week in Abingdon/Oxfordshire
• Occasional travel across Oxfordshire for meetings and events
• Flexible working patterns can be discussed

Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working
• Pension contribution
• TOIL policy
• Supportive and collaborative working culture
• Professional development opportunities
• Opportunity to help shape a growing fundraising function within an ambitious charity

Application process

To apply, please submit:

• A CV
• A short statement explaining your interest in the role and how your experience meets the person specification

We encourage applications from candidates with both traditional and non-traditional fundraising backgrounds.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Chris Higgins, CEO

Closing date: midday, Tuesday 30 June
Interviews: week commencing 6 or 13 July