Fundraising Lead

Are you an experienced fundraiser ready to make a real difference to young people’s lives? The Isle of Wight Youth Trust is looking for a talented and motivated Fundraising Lead to help shape our financial future at an exciting moment in our charity’s development. Following a period of significant growth and with a new organisational strategy on the horizon, we are strengthening our fundraising function to expand our reach and long-term sustainability. In this newly developed role, you will take strategic ownership of our income generation across a range of fundraising streams, combining high-level planning with hands-on delivery to build a sustainable and diverse funding base.

Key Responsibilities

As our Fundraising Lead, you will:

• Develop and deliver a fundraising strategy and annual workplan across key income streams including community fundraising, corporate partnerships, digital fundraising, major donors, regular giving and legacy giving

• Build and nurture a strong, diverse supporter base, ensuring excellent donor care, meaningful stewardship and compelling cases for support

• Research and secure new fundraising opportunities, developing relationships with corporate partners, community groups and individual donors

• Lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of fundraising campaigns, activities and appeals

• Deliver supporter-focused communications including impact updates, stewardship journeys and fundraising campaign assets

• Oversee fundraising-related digital content and manage relevant press and PR activity and where appropriate, co-create fundraising messages with young people to ensure youth voice is at the heart of our work

About You

We are looking for someone who has / is:

• A proven track record of delivering fundraising activity and meeting income targets, with at least two years’ relevant experience

• Experience across at least two fundraising streams, such as community fundraising, corporate partnerships, digital fundraising or individual giving

• Aligned with the values (trusting, kind, positive and collaborative) and mission of the Isle of Wight Youth Trust

Experience of working in a youth-focused or mental health charity, an understanding of the local Isle of Wight funding landscape, and a professional fundraising qualification (e.g. CIoF) are all desirable but not essential.

About Us and Why Join Us

The Isle of Wight Youth Trust is the Island’s leading charity dedicated to the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. For over 40 years, we have provided free, confidential support to young people aged 5 to 25, offering counselling, mental health services, and a wide range of early intervention and prevention programmes. We are proud to be deeply rooted in the Island community, working in schools, community settings, and our dedicated Newport hub, and we are driven by a genuine belief that every young person deserves to thrive. Joining the IOWYT means becoming part of a passionate, values-led team where the work you do every day makes a tangible difference to young lives.

In addition to the satisfaction of working for a charity that genuinely changes young lives, we offer a competitive package of rewards and benefits, including:

• People’s Pension scheme

• Sovereign Healthcare Plan

• 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure

• A dedicated wellbeing day each year

• Flexible working arrangements

• Employee Assistance Programme

• A variety of discounts

• Training and development opportunities

Additional Information

A Full UK driving licence and DBS enhanced check (performed upon appointment) are requirements of the role. The post-holder will also be expected to work occasional evenings or weekends to support fundraising events and represent the charity externally.

Please note this is not a remote position. The Fundraising Lead post is based at Youth Trust Headquarters, Newport, Isle of Wight.

The Youth Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone we support. We encourage applications from people who identify as part of marginalised communities or with experience of living with poor mental health. If you are disabled or become disabled, we encourage you to tell us about your condition so that we can make reasonable adjustments and consider what support may be provided at the interview stage.

Interested?

If you are passionate about fundraising and want to use your skills to help young people across the Isle of Wight access the support they need, we would love to hear from you. Please visit our recruitment portal via the link to view the full job description and person specification and apply, submitting both your CV and a full covering letter. It is essential that you outline how you meet the requirements of the post against the person specification in your covering letter. Applications not made via the Youth Trust recruitment portal, or incorrectly submitted, will not be considered. If you have any issues with uploading your documents or would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact the Recruitment team.

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