Philanthropy Manager – Major Gifts and Foundations

This role is responsible for developing and managing Anti-Slavery International’s individual major giving (gifts of £5,000+) and to lead and develop Anti-Slavery International’s trusts and major donor fundraising programme. In the past seven years, our foundations programme has seen a significant increase in income and major gifts from individuals. The postholder will work across the organisation, including with trustees, to develop relationships and funding applications to foundations. This role will build lasting relationships with high-net-worth individuals and families, and help foster a culture of philanthropy and partnerships across the organisation, with the sponsorship of the Senior Management Team.

MAIN TASKS

The two-person Major Gifts team is responsible for generating c£1.5m this year. This role will not only play a crucial part in driving forward financial growth but will also help build a base of committed and influential supporters who can help the charity improve more lives.

Specific tasks

Fundraising development

• Grow sustainable income from grant-making trusts and major donors donating to Anti-Slavery International’s work in the UK and internationally from £1.5m in 2023/4 to £2.1m by year three. With the Major Gifts and Trusts Officer and Director of Fundraising and Communications, designing the requisite investments needed to achieve this growth.

• Design and implement robust prospect research that ensures a proactive and robust pipeline. Manage the movement of prospects from prospect research, through the donor journey and ensure cultivation and stewardship plans provide ample opportunities to engage and solicit gifts of significant value.

• Directly manage a small personal portfolio of donors and prospects, in addition to acting as the main contact for other key relationships across the team when necessary.

• Drive continual improvement on case for support, project narrative and costs presentation work to refresh how we are communicating priorities and needs to funders.

• Build excellent relationships with Senior Management Team, Board, and other key colleagues to support the team vision and their contribution to achieving it.

• Ensure all relevant regulations are met, and the highest quality standards are achieved.

• Work closely with colleagues in the institutional funding team, finance and resources, and advocacy and programmes team to develop high quality proposals and reports for donors and prospects in line with organisational standards.

• Lead the development of donor engagement and cultivation events on Anti-Slavery International’s priorities, including technical areas of operations, that support the development of new and existing funding prospects.

Management

• Design and deliver the annual team plan, meet income targets, and continuously improve the quality of the programme to ensure an exceptional donor experience and high retention rates.

• Create and maintain accurate and ambitious income and expenditure budgets, reforecasts, and variance reports.

• Coach team members to achieve the best of their abilities, foster a team culture of creative and proactive approaches to funding opportunities, embracing testing new ideas and aiming for growth and improvement.

• Embed team and individual KPIs for grants and major donor activities to ensure we remain focused on strategic objectives and grow in reach and ambition. Monitor and report on programme performance, long term income modelling and contribute insight to organisation-wide planning.

Other

• Network with colleagues in peer organisations and undertake peer/competitor analysis and benchmarking on a regular basis.

• Oversee and relationship manage Anti-Slavery International’s partnership with Patrons. Updating and renewing Patrons when necessary

• To travel to project sites overseas as required (once per year or less).

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• A track record of success in six-figure+ multi-year restricted and unrestricted funding from high-net-worth individuals, trusts, and foundations

• Proven ability to develop, manage and deliver against accurate budgets and forecasts.

• Excellent bid-writing skills that have generated considerable income from trusts and foundations and high net worth individuals, ideally in an international organisation.

• Ability to prioritise, work to deadlines and focus on concurrent projects.

• Understanding of charity legislation, best practice guidelines and regulatory requirements in relation to major gifts.

• Confident with MS systems, particularly Excel, and experience of CRM systems (Anti-Slavery International uses Raiser’s Edge).

• A positive attitude, resilience, and self-motivation driven by a passion for the cause.

• Ability to think strategically, identify opportunities, make decisions and prioritise effectively and, as a manager within Anti-Slavery International, demonstrate leadership, initiative and a strong desire to achieve agreed objectives.

• Strong commitment to excellence in supporter relationship management.

• Experience building strong internal relationships and comfortable working alongside and directing senior stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience of developing new products and giving programmes for high-net-worth individuals and funders. • Experience of income generation in a campaigning and advocacy organisation.

• Experience of line management of staff and volunteers.

• Experience of developing, testing, and evaluating new income generation products.

• Knowledge and experience of working within an international development organisation is preferable.