6 Major gifts officer jobs in Guildford, Surrey

This is a unique opportunity to lead fundraising for a charity at the cusp of substantial growth, with an exceptional track record of recent fundraising success, an engaged base of supporters and significant untapped potential across multiple channels.

Overview
As Director of Fundraising and Development for Plum Village UK, you will provide strategic leadership of the charity’s fundraising at this critical juncture. Building on the successful campaigns that brought our new Being Peace Practice Centre into being, you will lead the development of a sustainable, diversified fundraising operation across donor stewardship, trusts and foundations, regular giving, legacies, and partnerships, to deepen relationships of trust and gratitude with our supporters.

This role is ideal for a fundraising leader, whether from a career fundraising background or another field, who brings strategic capability alongside deep alignment with the Plum Village tradition, where fundraising itself becomes a form of engaged practice in service of mindfulness and community transformation.

Fundraising in the Plum Village tradition is fundamentally relational. It is not a matter of extracting income from a base of supporters, but of deepening the relationships of trust, gratitude and shared purpose with those who make our work possible, in ways that embody the values of the tradition. Done well, fundraising is itself a form of engaged practice. The Director will be expected to lead the function in this spirit.

The role comes with a high level of strategic ownership. An initial fundraising strategy has been developed and shared with trustees, providing a framework of priority channels, governance arrangements and resourcing for the next phase. The new Director will inherit this as a starting frame, and will then be empowered and expected to develop, refine and bring forward a fundraising strategy on their own authority, working closely with the Lead Trustee for Fundraising and presenting proposals to the board as appropriate. The role also carries operational ownership of the fundraising mechanics, including the choice and management of supporting systems, databases and tools.
 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic leadership of fundraising

• Lead PVUK's fundraising strategy, developing and refining the strategic direction, and presenting proposals to the Board for approval and resourcing.

• Set, monitor, and report on fundraising targets across all income channels, in agreement with the Lead Trustee for Fundraising and the Board.

• Provide regular substantive updates on fundraising at quarterly board meetings, working with the Lead Trustee on the preparation of board-level reporting.

• Bring forward analysis and proposals to support the Board in setting wider strategic priorities, including realistic income potential by channel and the investment required to secure it.

• Identify and manage risk in the fundraising portfolio, including channel concentration, donor over-reliance, and the sustainability of resourcing.

Donor stewardship and relationship development

• Lead the stewardship of PVUK’s existing donors, lenders, and supporters with the depth of care that this base deserves, recognising it as the most precious resource of the fundraising function.

• Cultivate and deepen relationships with major donors, including through personal contact, site visits, and tailored communication of impact.

• Work with the Chair of Trustees, the Centre Director, and other senior figures on key relationships that require their involvement.

• Steward the friendly lender base throughout the lifetime of their loans, maintaining trust and keeping them informed of the charity’s progress.

• Build and maintain a culture of gratitude and recognition that appropriately honours the contributions of all supporters.

Income channel development

• Lead delivery and growth across PVUK’s priority fundraising channels: donor stewardship, trust and foundation fundraising, regular giving, legacies and Gifts in Wills, and partnerships with values-aligned organisations and networks.

• Develop trust and foundation fundraising as a substantial new income stream, including scoping aligned funders, building peer-to-peer introductions, constructing tailored funding propositions, and overseeing high-quality application writing and reporting.

• Design and grow a regular giving programme that converts members, retreatants and supporters into ongoing monthly donors.

• Develop a structured legacy and Gifts in Wills programme that normalises legacy giving across PVUK’s communications and supports those who wish to leave a Gift in their Will.

• Develop partnerships with values-aligned organisations and networks where these support both income generation and the wider reach of PVUK’s work, in close consultation with monastics and trustees.

Operations, systems and budget ownership

• Own the operational mechanics of fundraising for PVUK, including the choice, configuration and ongoing management of databases, donor management systems, online giving platforms, and integration with communications tools.

• Manage the fundraising budget, including a discretionary supplementary budget for consultancy, training, materials creation, contracted support and light administrative resource, deployed at the Director’s judgement to develop the function effectively.

• Maintain accurate, GDPR-compliant supporter records and ensure sound data practices throughout the fundraising operation.

• Provide accurate financial reporting on fundraising performance, working with PVUK’s finance function and external accountants as required.

• Make the case for additional resourcing where evidence of need supports it, including the possible recruitment of a Fundraising Officer in due course.

Communications and storytelling

• Lead the development of compelling fundraising narratives that authentically convey the work of PVUK and the Being Peace Centre to multiple audiences, including major donors, institutional funders, individual supporters and the wider public.

• Work closely with the PVUK Communications team on the integration of fundraising communications with the wider communications strategy.

• Commission and oversee the production of fundraising materials, including written content, graphic design, video and digital assets, drawing on contracted specialists where appropriate.

• Ensure that all fundraising messaging about the Being Peace Practice Centre is agreed with the Centre Director before publication.

Working partnerships across PVUK

• Work in close partnership with the Centre Director on all matters relating to Being Peace, with agreed ways of working on messaging, external representation, and any programming commitments made to funders.

• Work with the Lead Trustee for Fundraising as primary day-to-day point of contact at board level, supporting the Lead Trustee to hold strategic oversight of fundraising on behalf of the Board.

• Work with colleagues across PVUK’s communications, dharma programming, sangha-building and partnership functions, with these working relationships developing naturally in the first months of the role.

• Draw on external advisors and specialists as needed for support and assurance, both in technical fundraising disciplines and in sector-specific knowledge.

• Engage volunteer capacity from within the community where this can valuably supplement the fundraising operation.

Who we are

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

What you’ll do

Reports to: Fundraising Manager

Location: Remote, with occasional travel for funder and staff meetings 4-5 times a year

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Trusts and Philanthropy Officer to join our small, ambitious fundraising team. IPSEA has a proven track record of successfully securing grants for core costs and projects. You will be responsible for researching new funding opportunities, preparing and submitting tailored applications and reports, and managing relationships with funders through thoughtful and timely stewardship. You will also have the opportunity to shape the early development of our strategies in major gifts and wider philanthropy and contribute to this work into the future.

This is a key role in IPSEA’s fundraising strategy and will help secure long-term financial sustainability for our services. 

If you share our commitment to protecting, promoting and upholding the rights of children and young people with SEND and would like to use your fundraising skills at IPSEA, we would love to hear from you. 

What we can offer you

• 5% employer pension contributions
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).

To apply

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Deadline for applications: 9am on 5 October 2026.

First-round interviews: on 16 October in London, with second-round interviews (online) in the week commencing 19 October 2026.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE.

Senior Philanthropy Lead

We are seeking an experienced relationship-led fundraiser to grow high-value support, develop major donor relationships and help drive ambitious income growth.

Salary: £40,000-£44,000pa
Location: Remote – Travel required for donor meetings and events
Hours: Full time – Compressed Hours, 9 day fortnight also considered
Closing date:  24th September 2026 – CV’s will be reviewed on a rolling basis

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced major donor, philanthropy or partnership fundraiser to take a leading role in developing high-value relationships for a national Christian charity tackling poverty across the UK.

Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, you will help shape and deliver the major donor strategy, driving sustainable, multi-year income growth and managing some of the charity’s most significant supporter relationships, including gifts of £10,000 to £100,000+.

You will lead and develop a small philanthropy team while building meaningful relationships with existing and prospective supporters and partners.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering major donor strategy, growth plans, pipelines and KPIs
• Managing and growing a portfolio of high-value relationships
• Identifying and cultivating new donors, supporters and opportunities
• Creating compelling proposals, funding opportunities and personalised engagement plans
• Leading face-to-face meetings and representing the charity at high-level events
• Working with senior colleagues, including the CEO, to deepen supporter engagement
• Line managing and developing members of the philanthropy team
• Using CRM data and insight to track performance and identify opportunities
• Delivering agreed annual philanthropy income and engagement targets

About you

You may already be working in major donor fundraising or philanthropy, or you could bring strong partnership fundraising experience with the relationship-building and income-generation skills to make the move into this role.

You will bring:

• Strong major donor, philanthropy or partnership fundraising experience
• A track record of securing significant income through major gifts, partnerships or high-value relationships
• At least three years’ experience in fundraising, partnerships or relationship management
• The ability to build trusted, long-term relationships with people of influence
• Excellent communication, influencing and presentation skills
• Line management or people development experience
• Strategic thinking and the ability to manage pipelines, budgets and income forecasts
• The confidence to engage senior stakeholders and develop new opportunities
• Flexibility to travel across the UK, including occasional evening and weekend commitments

Above all, you will be a natural relationship builder who can inspire people, understand what motivates them and turn strong relationships into meaningful long-term support.

About the organisation

You will be joining a national Christian charity committed to tackling poverty and transforming lives. The organisation works alongside churches, supporters and communities to help people facing financial crisis and build a growing movement for change.

This is a collaborative, ambitious and deeply relational organisation where Christian faith is central to its mission and culture.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Major Donor Manager, Philanthropy Manager, Partnerships Manager, Corporate Partnerships Manager, Major Gifts Manager, Senior Philanthropy Manager, High Value Relationships Manager, Major Donor Fundraiser, Strategic Partnerships Manager or Senior Fundraising Manager.

Please note: The charity can only consider applicants who presently have the right to work in the UK and all candidates must be personally committed to the Christian faith and be able to respect, uphold and work within our client’s Christian mission, values, culture and faith statements. This individual will represent and speak on behalf of a Christian charity and as such the Occupational Requirement for an active Christian faith is justified under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, Part 1, clause 3.

#INDNFP

About the role:

The Fundraising Manager will play a key role in securing sustainable income to enable Amber to achieve its mission. Working closely with the CEO, you will develop and deliver fundraising across a diverse range of income streams, building strong relationships with funders, supporters and partners.

As Amber's sole fundraising professional, you will lead all aspects of income generation, building on established income streams such as trusts and foundations, community fundraising, individual giving and events, while developing income streams that are at an earlier stage, including legacy giving and corporate sponsorship. You will work closely with the CEO and colleagues across the organisation.

This is a varied and rewarding role that combines strategic planning with hands-on fundraising, offering the opportunity to make a direct impact on the lives of blind and partially sighted children through music.

Main duties and responsibilities:

- Planning and Monitoring

- Trusts and Foundations

- Community Fundraising

- Corporate Sponsorship

- Individual Giving

- Events and Campaigns

Philanthropic Partnerships Lead – Trusts and Foundations (parental leave cover)

Application Closing Date: 9th October 2026

Location: Remote or hybrid working within the UK; individuals will be required to attend episodic in-person office days in London as needed and prescribed by the organisation. This role requires applicants to be able to show that they have the right to work in the UK.

Term: full time - 35 hours a week. This is a fixed term contract for a period of 12 months covering parental leave. Ideally looking for a candidate to commence the role from November 2026.

Organisation: Global Greengrants Fund UK

Salary: Salaries at Global Greengrants Fund UK (GGF UK) are dependent on applicable salary scales, internal pay policies including equity considerations and budget. Due to the ways in which salary negotiations perpetuate existing structural inequities, GGF UK has moved away from salary negotiation processes for any candidate. Our best offer for this position is £70,600 per annum.

Benefits: We have improved our benefits package and we now offer 10% employer’s pension contribution, remote and flexible remote working, generous family and sick leave, employee assistance programme, health and life insurances, 28 days annual leave plus all UK bank holidays.

About Global Greengrants Fund

Global Greengrants Fund (GGF) supports grassroots activists and civil society organisations around the world working to address environmental and social justice in over 160 countries.  GGF applies a participatory and decentralised model in making grants to grassroots groups through regional and thematic boards of advisors, global partner networks and independent funds, to support grassroots environmental and social justice action.

Global Greengrants Fund comprises two organisations: one located in the USA, Global Greengrants Fund Inc (established in 1993), and Global Greengrants Fund UK (established in 2012). The two organisations work closely together with a shared grantmaking programme and strategic collaboration at the senior leadership level. GGF UK consists of sixteen staff members working on fundraising and influencing philanthropy; finance; communications; and operations, with all of these functions operating autonomously but in close collaboration with their US counterpart functions.

Global Greengrants Fund has experienced tremendous growth over the past two years and we are thoughtfully, yet rapidly, growing our annual grantmaking, our philanthropic advocacy, and our global partnerships and collaborations to new levels as part of our ongoing transformative journey.

The Role

The Philanthropic Partnerships Lead – Trusts & Foundations will contribute to Global Greengrants Fund UK’s fundraising and partnership objectives by stewarding a portfolio of existing and new Trust & Foundation supporters to secure significant restricted and unrestricted grants and donations for the organisation. Working as part of the Philanthropic Partnerships team and reporting to the Director of Philanthropic Partnerships, the postholder will also collaborate closely with colleagues across the global organisation Global Greengrants Fund, particularly within the Programmes, External Relations and Finance functions.

The Candidate Profile

The post holder will be an experienced, senior-level fundraising leader with a track record of securing and developing successful collaborations with trusts, foundations and partner organisations to achieve ambitious income goals; extensive experience in developing pitches, proposals, and fundraising products; and a strong interest in environmental justice, international development or human rights issues. They will have an extensive knowledge of the funding and philanthropy sectors in the UK and Europe; excellent written and verbal communication skills; and be confident in engaging a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including at senior levels.

The candidate will excel in relationship building and interpersonal skills, capable of managing complex relationships and politics. With excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, they will be adept at developing compelling proposals, presentations, reports, and other fundraising materials. Additionally, they will demonstrate strategic, innovative, and analytical thinking, with a strong capacity for complex problem-solving and decision-making.

The right candidate will understand Global Greengrants Fund’s core values and be committed to the guiding principles and mission of Global Greengrants Fund and ensure they uphold them in the way they take up the responsibilities of the role. They will value transparency and accountability, demonstrating strong critical thinking, strategic risk management, and the ability to influence and resolve differences across boundaries. With a high degree of self-awareness and insight, the candidate will excel in building strong interpersonal relationships, both within and outside the organisation, and possess outstanding communication and collaboration skills.

How to Apply

Please review the full job description and person specification on our website and submit your application via email. Please note that the email address to address your application is listed in the job advert on our website. 

In your application, please send a copy of your current CV and covering letter by 9th October 2026 at 23:00 GMT.  You will need to submit these in English. If you’re intrigued by this position but feel like you don’t fit the profile precisely, please still apply. You can ask questions or seek further information to feel able to apply by emailing us.

We thank all those who apply, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Global Greengrants Fund UK is an equal opportunities employer. We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success. We seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.