Trusts and foundations fundraiser jobs

Are you an experienced fundraising or prospect researcher looking for your next career opportunity? Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH) is seeking a Senior Fundraising Researcher to deliver strategically aligned research that identifies new high-value prospects and senior volunteer opportunities in support of our ambitious fundraising appeals.

This position is a fixed term contract for 12 months.

Salary
The salary for this position is £42,455 pro rata and we operate a hybrid working policy of a minimum of 2 days per week in the office.

In line with our EDI strategy and Total Reward policy, we calculate our salaries based on benchmarking data across the charity sector. To ensure fairness for existing staff and new joiners, we do not offer salaries above the advertised rate. 

Key Responsibilities

• Producing high-quality research profiles, insights and tailored briefings for our Philanthropy, Corporate Partnerships and Special Events fundraising teams.
• Leading and delivering robust due diligence casework on high-value supporters and senior volunteers, communicating findings clearly and professionally to inform decision-making around risk, reputation and compliance.
• Conducting market insight, sector analysis and horizon scanning to help shape strategy for high-value and global fundraising activity.
• Ensuring high standards of data management, governance and regulatory compliance, and supporting fundraising colleagues to maintain best practice in data handling and prospect management.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

We’re looking for a dynamic and strategic research professional with:

• Exceptional analytical, critical thinking and research skills.
• Significant experience in a prospect or fundraising research role within the not-for-profit sector or in a directly comparable environment with highly transferable skills (e.g. corporate intelligence, financial services, consultancy, journalism or risk analysis).
• Demonstrable experience delivering structured due diligence casework, ideally within a complex or international context.
• Experience operating in, or supporting, fundraising or stakeholder engagement within a global environment, including researching international individuals, corporates and philanthropic markets.
• Proficiency with a wide range of research, risk, compliance and business intelligence tools.
• The ability to build strong internal relationships and work collaboratively with senior stakeholders.

Please refer to the full role profile for more information.

DBS - a basic DBS check is required for this role.

Salary: £38,800 per annum 

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing date: 23 August 2026 at 11pm

Interview date: w/c 7 September 2026

About CARE

CARE International is a global humanitarian organisation leading the fight to end poverty in the world’s most challenging situations. Women and girls are at the centre of our work, because we cannot overcome poverty and inequality until all people have equal rights and opportunities. We know that when a crisis erupts, women are often the first to pick up the pieces, so we work alongside women, so they have the power to make change where it’s needed most. Founded in 1945, CARE currently works in over 100 countries and last year alone reached 53.4 million people through nearly 1,500 projects.

Why work for CARE International UK?

It is an exciting time to join CARE, as we roll out our Voluntary Income Fundraising Strategy. With extra investment over the coming years due to our recent successes, the Individual Giving team will be diversifying our fundraising activity to recruit and retain new supporters, especially regular givers, to help achieve CARE’s mission. Working within a passionate team of fundraisers, this role will be vital recruiting regular givers, as well as generating income through digital cash appeals.

About the role

The Senior Individual Giving Executive (Digital Acquisition) will play a key part in the delivery of the Individual Giving programme, producing sector-leading comms and campaigns to recruit and retain supporters. You will work closely with the rest of the IG team and the Fundraising and Communications Department to deliver high-quality, data-led campaigns across a range of marketing channels. The role will include campaign delivery, budgeting, strategy and planning, managing relationships with key suppliers and driving continuous campaign improvement.

This role will focus predominantly on digital acquisition activity, with a particular focus on paid search and paid social, though there is flexibility for this to change in the future.

About you

We are looking for a passionate fundraiser with keen interest in the charity sector, particularly in humanitarian work. The ideal candidate will have a range of cross-channel experience, ideally in the charity sector and in an Individual Giving team, with a particular focus on digital acquisition. We are looking for someone with the passion to drive and improve our digital acquisition campaigns, to critically review campaigns and implement improvements, and to put their own stamp on the role.

Right to Work in the UK

All applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of appointment. Proof of right to work will be required as part of the recruitment process. For more information, please visit the UK Government's guidance on right to work.

Where you do not have current right to work in the UK, then this will be discussed with you as part of the recruitment process. Please note that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship and further information (should you require sponsorship to work in the UK) on eligibility can be found here.

Safeguarding 

CARE International UK has a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse to, sexual harassment of or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or child by any of our staff, representatives or partners. CARE International UK expects all staff to share this commitment through our Safeguarding Policy (link here) and our Code of Conduct (link here). They are responsible for ensuring they understand and work within the remit of these policies throughout their time at CARE International UK.

Safeguarding our beneficiaries is our top priority in everything we do, including recruitment. All offers of employment at CARE International UK are subject to: 

· Satisfactory references. CARE International UK participates in theInter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (link here).In line with this Scheme, we willrequest information from successful applicants’ previous employersabout any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment,or incidents under investigationwhen the applicant left employment.

· Appropriate criminal record checks (including a Bridger check, link here).

By submitting an application, the applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures. 

Equality and Diversity  

We are committed toEquality and value Diversity. We are aDisability Confident Employerand particularly welcome applications from disabled people. We guarantee interviews to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role (see person specification). If you require the candidate brief or need to submit your application in an alternative format, because of a disability, please do get in touch by sending an email to the HR Team.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We particularly welcome applications from people of underrepresented backgrounds, including those from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities, and individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.

Location: Edinburgh
Salary: £49,792 - £56,426 per annum plus generous benefits
Application Deadline: 25 August 2026

About the role

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the UK's most significant cultural fundraising campaigns. We're looking for an experienced major gifts or capital fundraising professional who thrives on building exceptional relationships and securing transformational support. You'll join us at a pivotal moment, leading campaigns that will shape the future of Scotland's national collection and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

At National Galleries of Scotland, you'll help secure the future of one of the world's great art collections, cared for on behalf of the nation. You'll raise transformational philanthropic support for projects that preserve Scotland's national collection, expand public access and create lasting cultural impact.

We're looking for a strategic and relationship-focused fundraiser with experience leading complex, high-value fundraising campaigns. You'll be equally confident working with major donors, senior colleagues, Trustees and volunteer leaders. You'll combine excellent judgement with strong planning skills, bringing together people, resources and fundraising strategy to deliver ambitious campaign goals.

While initially focused on The Art Works, you will have a longer-term remit to help shape future capital fundraising priorities that emerge from our strategic ambitions. You’ll personally progress high-value donor relationships while ensuring fundraising campaigns are strategically structured, insight-led, appropriately resourced and effectively delivered.

You'll help broaden our philanthropic reach by expanding a strong and diverse prospect base across local, national and international audiences. This includes developing approaches to high-value and discreet funders and making the best use of senior volunteers and networks.

The scale of the role is exceptional. You'll work on nationally significant projects with a compelling case for support. You'll enjoy flexible and hybrid working, generous benefits and the chance to make a lasting impact throughout your career.

The difference you’ll make
Reporting to the Head of Development, you will:

• Provide excellent strategic management of capital fundraising campaigns across the organisation, with an immediate focus on The Art Works as well as responsibility for supporting the planning and delivery of future campaigns, including the Mound Level Galleries redevelopment and other major capital priorities.
• Contribute to the development of long-term capital fundraising strategies, campaign plans and prospect pipelines to support future organisational priorities beyond The Art Works, ensuring continuity of donor engagement and campaign readiness.
• Translate campaign strategy, timelines and gift table requirements into clear delivery plans and actions across teams.
• Monitor progress toward income and activity targets, identify variances early and recommend tactical adjustments based on internal insight and external conditions.
• Lead the development and maintenance of campaign reporting, including dashboards, risk logs, income phasing and governance papers.
• Engage directly with major donors, trusts and foundations to cultivate, solicit and steward high-value gifts, working with senior colleagues, Trustees and Campaign Board members as appropriate to maximise outcomes.
• Oversee and direct cultivation and stewardship activity across the capital campaigns team, ensuring delivery of agreed fundraising strategies and a structured and strategic approach to progressing prospects and delivering income targets, while working closely with the wider Development team to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach to donor engagement.
• Expand the philanthropic prospect base by identifying new opportunities and supporting approaches to high‑value or discreet funders.
• Oversee the preparation of high‑quality briefings, materials and follow‑up for senior‑level donor meetings and solicitations.
• Coordinate all donor hospitality activity for the campaign, liaising with colleagues across the Development team and other teams as required, including events, briefings, site visits and other cultivation opportunities.
• Lead the implementation of donor recognition and stewardship frameworks, ensuring consistent, high‑quality supporter experiences.
• Ensure operational readiness for the public phase of the campaign, coordinating colleagues across Development, Communications and Visitor Experience to create effective giving pathways and engagement opportunities.
• Provide day‑to‑day direction to the Development Manager – Capital Campaigns; the Campaigns Coordinator and other team members (to be brought in on a temporary basis as required at key campaign stages) to support high standards of documentation, planning and internal communication.
• Promote collaborative, inclusive working practices across the team and wider organisation.

Who we are looking for
To succeed in this role, you’ll need the following range of knowledge, skills, and experience:

• Significant leadership experience in capital or multi‑year fundraising campaigns with £multi-million targets.
• Experience of developing and sustaining a portfolio of high net worth prospects at 5, 6 and 7-figure levels including discreet and invite-only funders.
• Experience modelling and managing fundraising cash flow, campaign pacing and income phasing across multiple fundraising priorities, ensuring alignment with organisational and project delivery requirements.
• Ability to expand donor networks at local, national, and international level.
• Strong presentation and writing skills, with the ability to influence, articulate complex ideas and inspire support.
• Experience planning and delivering high‑quality cultivation events and donor engagements.
• Strong understanding of fundraising sector trends, major donor behaviour and the philanthropic landscape.
• Experience working closely with senior stakeholders, including Directors, Trustees, volunteer fundraising campaign board members and other high‑level advocates.
• Strong knowledge of UK charitable giving and tax considerations relevant to fundraising.
• Highly motivated, with the ability to act on initiative while exercising good judgement about when to involve others.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills, with confidence interpreting financial, pipeline and performance data.
• Experience using CRM/database systems such as Spektrix or similar.

It would also be great if you have

• Experience of fundraising for multiple capital projects and transitioning donor relationships between successive major campaigns. Knowledge of the arts, culture, heritage, community engagement or education sectors.
• Understanding of how environmental sustainability, climate action and low‑energy design influence contemporary philanthropic priorities.
• Enthusiasm for the mission and work of the National Galleries of Scotland.
• Experience of fundraising in an international context, particularly in North America and Asia. 

The closing date for completed applications is 12 noon on Tuesday, 25 August 2026.

Please apply directly via our careers portal. Applications via email will not be accepted.

The Head of Public Fundraising is a new role at Coeliac UK leading the charity’s public fundraising function. The role focusses on driving sustainable growth across individual giving, community fundraising, events, lottery, raffle, digital fundraising and merchandise. This role is responsible for delivering Coeliac UK’s 5-year fundraising strategy to maximise return-on-investment, grow long term supporter value, and contribute to the charity’s mission. 

The Head of Public Fundraising will embed and deliver comprehensive fundraising strategies, growing Coeliac UK’s supporter base and income, building up new and under-developed income streams and communicating effectively with their audiences to expand their reach, and encourage financial and non-financial support to deliver the organisations mission.

Who are we looking for?

Key to the success of this role is a strong understanding of individual giving fundraising. This role blends the strategic oversight and leadership of a Head of role across multiple income streams, with the hands-on expertise of an IG fundraiser. Experience across other income streams and areas of fundraising delivery would be a huge benefit as the role leads community fundraising and events, will take on digital fundraising - currently led by the Chief Engagement Officer, as well as manage the data and supporter care functions, but experience in individual giving is essential as Coeliac UK has defined that as an area of priority income. To progress to a screening call with THINK Recruitment, your CV must demonstrate evidence of delivering individual giving income in a UK charity environment. 

The successful candidate for this role will be someone who has already operated at a senior level within a charity such as at Senior Manager level, or Head of in a specific income stream.

Hybrid working

The role has a hybrid expectation of a minimum of a day a week in the High Wycombe office (HP11 2QW) to build relationships and provide support to the fundraising team, and there will be flexibility required for other in person meetings and events. However, Coeliac UK are keen to secure the very best candidate, if the hybrid expectation presents challenge for you but you otherwise meet the requirements of the role, please do get in touch with THINK to discuss. 

Application notes 

Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.

To progress your application, please contact THINK Recruitment to organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot shortlist candidates who have not had a screening call so please allow enough time to have a call before the closing date.  You will be provided with information on how to complete your full application on the call. 

If you need assistance with downloading the pack or any reasonable adjustments to ensure you can engage with the selection process, please contact THINK Recruitment and our team will support you.

Closing date for expressions of interest: Midday Friday 21st August

Closing date for full applications: Midnight Sunday 23rd August

Salary £30,000 per annum (pro rata £12,000 for part-time)

Hours of work 15 hours a week  (2 days), not including breaks

Base Chase Farm Hospital, 127 The Ridgeway, Enfield EN2 8JL

The role

The CF Therapist will report to the Senior CTS Therapist (CF & NM & Finchley).

The purpose of the role is to provide adaptive therapeutic massage to patients under referral from clinical teams, at the Chase Farm site within step-down, rehabilitation and chemotherapy infusion suite settings, supporting patients' comfort, relaxation, and well-being during recovery.

Unlike many complementary therapy roles, this position offers the best of both worlds.

The two-day-per-week structure provides the security and satisfaction of working within a respected healthcare setting while allowing you the flexibility to continue building and maintaining your private practice. For therapists who value variety and professional independence, this role offers an ideal balance that may not be possible in a full-time position.

You will also gain experience that is difficult to find elsewhere, delivering massage to patients within a busy hospital setting. This provides a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful impact on people's wellbeing while developing specialist skills and experience in healthcare.

Key objectives and responsibilities of the post are:

· Provide gentle adaptive therapeutic touch to support relaxation and well-being

· Set the highest possible standards of care, respecting cultural preferences, touch, and privacy

· To ensure robust clinical pathways, assessments and review processes are followed, maintaining appropriate clinical records/document sessions as per policy

· Demonstrate safe delivery of best clinical practice

· Contribute to the development of evidence-based practice and be involved with research and case studies, where appropriate

· Assist senior CTS therapist NM & CF (Finchley) in the induction and mentoring of volunteers.

· Strict adhered to infection prevention

· Protocols the immediate escalation of adverse reactions

· Liaise closely with the nursing and medical team

· Be aware of current developments within complementary therapy

· Ensure sensitive information is managed in accordance with GDPR, Safeguarding and confidentiality policies and       guidance

· Always maintain confidentiality, which includes patients, relatives, staff and volunteers

· Monitor and maintain the complementary therapy stock and ensure oils and equipment are stored safely and correctly

• Work autonomously but in compliance with the relevant professional body’s code of ethics and professional conduct, national frameworks and trust policies and procedures specific to the role

The team

Patient support brings together volunteering, complementary therapy, and wider charity patient-facing support into one integrated, site-based team at each of the four main hospital sites. Each hospital has a dedicated “charity space” with a core team that works together to provide a consistent, responsive, and easy‑to‑navigate offer for patients and families. Patient support site managers work closely with NHS site teams to ensure support reflects the clinical needs and demographics of each hospital. Volunteering and therapy roles are embedded locally rather than operating as separate teams, enabling continuity, flexibility, and equitable provision. A small central social rights and benefits team provides targeted, discharge‑focused advice for financially vulnerable patients. Patient support delivered via the charity is designed to be clear, collaborative and patient‑centred, with charity staff working as one team to deliver high‑quality support tailored to each site.

Organisation

The Royal Free Charity stands at the threshold of its most important period of development.

Our vision is for everyone served by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (RFL) to have access to world-leading healthcare, delivered by a thriving workforce, and driven by medical research that has a global impact. We support the 17,000 staff of the RFL and their two million patients across Barnet, Chase Farm, North Mid and Royal Free hospitals and more than 30 NHS services.

Through the services we provide and the programmes and equipment we fund, we make a profound and immediate difference to patients’ experiences of care.

The recruitment process

To apply for this post, send your:

• CV (please include your last employer and dates of employment)
• Cover letter addressing how you meet the criteria set out in the job description and person specification.

Please note, that applications submitted without a cover letter may not be considered for this role.

Closing date for application: This is an open, rolling campaign

Interview date: week commencing 17 August 2026

Please kindly note that we may close the job advert before the closing date if we receive a large volume of applications.

• You must be eligible to work in the UK

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may require during the recruitment process. 

As an equal opportunities’ employer, the Royal Free Charity is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join the Royal Free Charity and act in line with our values of dedication, innovation, partnership, energy and respect.

Benefits:

Core benefits

· 25 days of paid holiday, plus a three-day office closure rest period between Christmas and New Year, and UK bank holidays. This increases to 30 days' leave after five completed years of continuous employment (all leave is pro rata for part-time employees).

· A contributory pension scheme, where we match your 4% contribution towards your pension. If you choose to increase your payments into your pension scheme, we’ll match your contribution up to 9%.

· A sick pay package that offers one month’s full pay and one month’s half pay in any 12-month period if you’ve been with us for less than two years. This rises to two months’ full pay and two months’ half pay in any 12-month period after two years of continuous employment.

· Occupational maternity pay and paternity pay packages that provide more generous support than statutory pay alone.

· A flexible working policy to support our employees’ work/life balance.

Support for your financial wellbeing

As a member of the Royal Free family, you’ll be entitled to benefit from:

· Expert financial advice from our financial partner, the London Credit Union

· Savings on purchases with the Blue Light Card

· Our Death in Service benefit

Support for your health and wellbeing

· Subsidised gym, pool and classes at our Rec Club in Hampstead

· Secure bicycle parking and shower facilities at our Hampstead site

· Guided meditation

· Menopause peer support group

· Employee Assistance Programme offering 24-hour access to free confidential advice and support on work and personal issues.

• 16 hours per week (part time)
• £35,000.a. pro rata (Actual salary £15,135) plus 6% pension contribution
• Remote

Job Summary:

Rape Crisis England & Wales is the national membership and accreditation body for a network of Rape Crisis Centres that provide specialist support for survivors of sexual violence and abuse. We work to promote the needs and rights of survivors and campaign for an end to all forms of sexual violence, abuse and exploitation.  

Our Fundraising and Development Officer will support our daily fundraising operations. In this role, you will be responsible for coordinating contractor relationships, managing administrative tasks, supporting our governance arrangements, collating data and ensuring smooth communication across departments. You will play a key role in optimising processes, handling logistics, and assisting in the delivery of operational initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

The overall purpose of this role is to provide administrative and operational support across the fundraising department. You will work closely with the Head of Fundraising and Development to support donor recognition and stewardship, fundraising finance processes, and collate data for reporting against KPIs.

The key responsibilities of this role include:

Donor recognition and supporter care

• Thank Challenge event and one-off donors promptly, warmly, and accurately, within agreed turnaround times, tailoring acknowledgements by gift size, channel, and giving history.

• Administer donor recognition processes, including welcome journeys for new regular givers, milestone and anniversary acknowledgements, and recognition of mid-level and repeat donors.

• Respond to supporter enquiries by email, phone, and post in a professional and sensitive manner, escalating complex matters as appropriate.

• Handle sensitive gifts, such as in memory donations, with care and discretion.

• Support the stewardship of challenge event participants and community fundraisers, including fundraising materials, sponsorship processing, and thanking.

Individual giving and donation processing

• Record donations accurately and regularly on Salesforce, ensuring each gift is coded correctly by source, campaign, and restriction.

• Process payroll giving donations

• Maintain the Mailchimp donor database including uploading new donors

• Carry out regular reconciliations of donation income with Finance colleagues, investigating and resolving discrepancies.

• Administer regular giving, including setting up, amending, and cancelling regular gifts, and monitoring failed payments.

• Support the delivery of individual giving campaigns and appeals, with donation handling, data segmentation, and post campaign administration.

• Assist in processing and acknowledging occasional one-off donations received across all channels and platforms, including online giving platforms, direct debits, standing orders, cheques, and bank transfers.

Gift Aid

• Maintain complete and compliant Gift Aid declaration records for all eligible donors.

• Prepare and submit regular Gift Aid claims to HMRC, ensuring claims are accurate, maximised, and submitted on schedule.

• Keep an audit trail of claims and declarations in line with HMRC requirements, and support any related audit or compliance activity.

• Identify opportunities to increase Gift Aid uptake across giving channels.

Data and compliance

• Maintain accurate, up to date supporter records on the fundraising database, including contact details, communication preferences, and consent.

• Ensure all supporter data is handled in line with UK GDPR, the Fundraising Regulator's Code of Fundraising Practice, and RCEW policies.

• Run routine data hygiene tasks such as deduplication, returned mail processing, and preference updates.

• Produce simple reports on income and supporter activity to support team planning and reporting to funders and the Board.

General fundraising support

• Monitor and respond to email correspondence in the fundraising inbox

• Provide administrative support across the fundraising function as required, including trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, and events.

• Maintain fundraising records, templates, and process documentation so that key tasks are well documented and consistent.

• Research potential donors and funding opportunities to support the organisation’s goals.

• Provide administrative support during grant application processes, including compiling documents and tracking deadlines.

• Coordinate logistics for fundraising events, including venue booking, catering, and invitations.

• Contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture and take part in team meetings and organisational activity.

• Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the level of the role.

The post holder is expected to work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders to promote the aims and values of Rape Crisis England & Wales. Therefore, this list is indicative only, not exhaustive. It is intended to reflect a range of duties the post-holder will be expected to perform but additional duties commensurate with the role may be required. The job description will be reviewed from time to time and may change in light of experience and changing circumstances, in consultation with the post-holder. We ask all employees to uphold our organisational values, support our mission and purpose, and to maintain respectful and collaborative relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organisation.

Person Specification

· A relevant qualification in Fundraising or a related field would be desirable.

· Proven experience in a fundraising role, ideally within a corporate, nonprofit, or government environment.

· Experience with fundraising activities such as donor relations, and materials preparation

· Strong ability to coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously, ensuring deadlines are met and operations run smoothly.

· Detail-oriented with excellent time management and prioritisation skills.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare reports, presentations, and donor correspondence.

· Ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership, team members, external stakeholders, and donors.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

· Familiarity with donor management platforms (e.g., JustGiving)

· Experience with Salesforce would be beneficial

· Ability to approach challenges with a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset and make decisions based on data, policies, and best practices.

*Shortlisting will be based on the candidates’ ability to demonstrate the criteria in bold.

Personal Attributes:

• Results-oriented with a passion for making a difference and working proactively.
• Collaborative and able to build strong internal and external relationships.
• Adaptable, innovative, and comfortable with change.
• Excellent organisational, problem-solving and decision-making abilities

 Eligibility

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Evidence of this will be required prior to appointment.

 Additional Information

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join The Christie Charity in a brand-new role that will play a key part in shaping the future of our fundraising events programme.

As Fundraising Officer, you'll help deliver an exciting portfolio of charity-owned and third-party events that inspire supporters, create unforgettable experiences and generate vital income to support world-leading cancer care, research and treatment. Every event you help deliver will make a real difference to the lives of patients and their families.

This is a varied and rewarding role that sits across both our Events and Corporate Partnerships teams, giving you the opportunity to develop a broad range of fundraising skills. Alongside delivering exceptional events, you'll support the growth of our corporate fundraising programme by helping to build strong business partnerships, increase employee engagement and identify new opportunities to maximise fundraising income.

If you're passionate about creating memorable supporter experiences, thrive in a fast-paced environment and want to be part of an ambitious team making a tangible impact, we'd love to hear from you.

For nearly 20 years, Lively Minds has been proving that parents are the sleeping giants of early childhood development. With strong evidence and a national scale proof point in Ghana, we have shown that parent powered approaches delivered through government systems can transform children's lives at scale.

We are now at a pivotal moment. We have the evidence, the model and the momentum, and we need the funding, profile and influence to match our ambition. This is a rare opportunity to lead income generation and external voice for an award winning NGO entering an exciting new phase of growth. You will lead our fundraising strategy and direct engagement with Funders ensuring that we maximise all funding opportunities as we continue our strategic evolution. You will also shape a compelling external narrative that will help position Lively Minds as the definitive partner for governments strengthening their early childhood development systems.

If you are an exceptional fundraiser and communicator who is equally comfortable in a strategic conversation and writing a winning proposal, we would love to hear from you.

Read the full advert and apply below. Closing date: 3rd September 2026.

About Lively Minds

Lively Minds is an award-winning NGO with nearly 20 years of experience designing, testing and scaling early childhood development (ECD) solutions across the Global South. Our core idea is simple but radical: parents are the sleeping giants of ECD. Governments and donors have long overlooked parents, assuming that poverty and low literacy make them unable or unwilling to support their childrenʼs development. We have spent two decades proving otherwise. With RCT-backed evidence and a national-scale proof point in Ghana, we have demonstrated that parent-powered approaches, delivered through government systems, can achieve meaningful child development outcomes at scale.

Our 2026–2028 strategy marks a pivotal shift. Having demonstrated what is possible, we are now helping pioneer an innovative model of country-led sustainable scale. Rather than delivering programmes ourselves, we provide lean, time-limited technical advisory support to governments to help them integrate parent-powered ECD into their own systems, budgets and institutions. We are currently working with the governments of Ghana, Uganda, Oromia state (Ethiopia) and The Gambia in 2026, growing to six or more country engagements by 2028. Our ambition is to catalyse a sector-wide shift, positioning Lively Minds as the definitive partner for governments seeking to strengthen their ECD systems.

Our scale strategy rests on three interdependent pillars: fixed-term Technical Advisory partnerships with governments; the development of a modular radio model simple and affordable enough for governments to adopt and fund independently; and an advocacy and sector influence agenda designed to make parent-powered ECD the norm globally.

Purpose of the Role

Lively Minds is at a critical inflection point. We have the evidence, the model and the momentum. We now need the funding, profile and sector influence to match our ambition. The Director of Fundraising and Communications is a priority hire, created to provide the dedicated, experienced leadership that this moment demands.

The Director will own and drive Lively Mindsʼ income generation, building new funder relationships, managing and deepening existing ones, and ensuring the organisation has the pipeline, discipline and quality of engagement to meet and exceed its fundraising targets. Working in close partnership with the Founding CEO, who retains ownership of a small number of long-standing strategic relationships, the Director will take primary responsibility for securing the funding that makes the 2026–2028 strategy deliverable, and that opens the door to greater scale beyond it. We need to raise approximately £3.4m over the next 3 years to deliver our strategy. But our ambition is to exceed that target so we can support additional governments.

Alongside fundraising, the Director will provide strategic leadership to Lively Mindsʼ communications and advocacy work, ensuring that the organisationʼs external voice is compelling and that we are building credibility in the spaces where funding decisions are made. The Director will lead and provide strategic coherence to a small but outward-facing team, including Head of Partnerships and Advocacy Lead who are active on the international stage. Lively Minds is committed to thought-leadership and active external engagement, but equally committed to ensuring that communications resource is deployed with discipline and rigour. The Director will set a clear strategic filter for where the organisation shows up, what it publishes and who it engages: prioritising focus and quality over volume, and always asking whether external activity is building the relationships and reputation that ultimately drive income and/or systems change.

Lively Minds is a dispersed, remote organisation. The Directorʼs team the Advocacy Lead, Development Manager and Communications Officer - are internationally distributed. The ability to lead, develop and maintain high standards across a dispersed team is essential. The role requires regular travel to international conferences and events.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Income Generation

• Own and deliver the multi-year fundraising strategy with clear priorities, targets, income streams and a disciplined pipeline to support the 2026–2028 strategy and future scale
• Steward existing funder relationships, turning strong partnerships into long-term supporters, advocates and connectors to new funding opportunities.
• Lead the shift towards Big Bet and catalytic funding, personally cultivating and negotiating high-value, multi-year partnerships and positioning Lively Minds for system-level scale
• Maintain a high standard of fundraising quality, pipeline management and forecasting, while coaching the team to produce compelling, sophisticated fundraising materials
•  Build and continuously strengthen a diverse funding pipeline, identifying emerging opportunities, new funding markets and strategic partnerships that reduce concentration risk and support long-term financial sustainability

Communications, Brand & Advocacy

• Own and deliver Lively Mindsʼ communications and marketing strategy, balancing visibility and sector influence with the need to strengthen fundraising and systems-change objectives
• Partner closely with the CEO to shape and steward a coherent external narrative, brand and messaging framework across all audiences and channels
• Oversee high-quality core communications and fundraising materials, including cases for support, pitch decks, website content, proposals and donor reports
• Provide strategic communications expertise to Advocacy, Partnerships and MEL, ensuring evidence and learning are translated into compelling narratives and consistent external messaging
• Lead efforts to strengthen Lively Mindsʼ profile and thought leadership in the ECD sector, identifying opportunities for strategic media, events, publications and external platforms that reinforce its positioning and influence

Organizational Leadership&TeamDevelopment

• Contribute actively to SMT and organisational strategy, bringing funder intelligence, external perspective and communications expertise to strategic decision-making.
• Work closely with Finance and MEL to align fundraising targets, forecasting, budgets and evidence, ensuring proposals are credible, accurately costed and evidence-led
• Act as the organisationʼs communications subject matter expert, providing guidance and challenge to ensure high-quality, consistent external communications
• Lead and develop the Advocacy Lead, Development Manager and Communications Officer, fostering a team culture of quality, accountability, strategic clarity and continuous improvement
• Build strong cross-organisational collaboration, ensuring teams understand how fundraising, communications, advocacy and evidence work together to advance Lively Mindsʼ strategic priorities

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Skills

• 10+ years of significant senior-level fundraising experience within international development, education, philanthropy or a comparable sector
• Proven track record of securing major grants from foundations, institutional donors and high-net-worth individuals, alongside demonstrated experience securing or meaningfully progressing large-scale, catalytic funding from Big Bet philanthropy programmes such as the Audacious Project, Skoll Foundation or comparable funders. A strong understanding of what these funders look for and how to position an organisation compellingly within their processes is essential
• Exceptional fundraising writing skills, with the ability to personally develop compelling cases for support, funding proposals, award applications and pitch decks tailored to sophisticated impact funders. This is a hands-on role requiring both strong writing capability and the ability to coach others to consistently produce high-quality fundraising content
• Experienced in developing and owning a marketing and communications strategy, with a strong understanding of how to balance organisational visibility, thought leadership and sector influence with coherence, strategic focus and income generation
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with a Founding CEO to shape and steward the organisationʼs external narrative and brand. Comfortable working in a founder-led environment, providing expertise and constructive challenge while ensuring the organisation maintains a clear, consistent and coherent external voice

Desirable Experience

• Experienced fundraising for a technical advisory, systems change or government-facing organisation
• Knowledge of the ECD, education or early childhood sector and its funding landscape
• Familiarity with the Big Bang Philanthropy network or equivalent impact-focused funder communities
• Experience working alongside advocacy and partnerships teams, providing communications expertise and strategic coherence to their external activity
• Familiarity with the funding landscape for organisations operating in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Experience working remotely across multiple countries and effectively collaborating with cross-cultural teams

Behaviours & Ways of Working

• A doer, equally comfortable in strategic conversations and writing a funding proposal
• Sets a high bar for quality and clarity in all external communications and holds it consistently
• Builds a strong, trust-based partnership with the Founding CEO, provides honest challenge and operates effectively within a founder-led dynamic without losing their own voice or judgement
• Collaborative and cross-organisational. Invests in strong relationships with programme, MEL and finance colleagues, understanding that the best fundraising is grounded in organisational reality
• Calm and focused under pressure - able to manage competing priorities and maintain quality when the stakes are high

What We Offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• 25 days annual leave
• Health insurance
• Pension contribution
• Generous learning and development budget
• Flexible, remote working

Application Instruction

Interested candidates are encouraged to read the Job Description carefully before applying to ensure they understand the role and meet the required criteria.

To apply, please complete the pre-screening questions and submit your updated CV

PLEASE NOTE - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Timeline

Closing Date: 3rd September 2026

Our Stance

Lively Minds operates a strict Safeguarding Policy and is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable people. As part of our recruitment process, the suitability of successful candidates will be verified through appropriate background checks including professional references and police checks.

Lively Minds is fully committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and to providing equal opportunities throughout our recruitment process. We want this commitment to be reflected in the diversity of the people who work for us, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, experiences and perspectives.

We are committed to ensuring that recruitment decisions are based on merit, skills, experience and suitability for the role, and that all candidates are treated fairly and with respect throughout the recruitment process.