Trusts and Foundations Manager

Chichester Festival Theatre has a strong track record of building long-term relationships with both local and national trusts, securing essential investment across areas including arts engagement, mental health, dementia care, education, heritage, inclusion and access.

With an established and credible trust base already in place, this role will be responsible for identifying new opportunities for growth, writing compelling bids and ensuring excellent stewardship of existing funders. Working closely with the Development Director and wider Development team, the postholder will help strengthen and expand CFT’s Trusts & Foundations portfolio, contributing directly to the theatre’s long-term financial sustainability and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and identify new Trusts & Foundations to build a strong funding pipeline.Write compelling, tailored funding applications
• Coordinate with internal departments to shape high‑quality, evidence‑based proposals.
• Track application progress, deadlines and reporting schedules.
• Provide outstanding stewardship to existing funders through reports, evaluations and updates.
• Manage invitations to cultivation events, press nights and project visits.
• Cultivate new prospects through Development Committee and trustee networks as well as proactive outreach.
• Process payments, receipts and acknowledgements via Spektrix.
• Work with Finance to reconcile restricted income.
• Attend supporter events, press nights and cultivation events as required (including evenings/weekends).
• Manage and oversee excellent trust administration.
• Contribute to annual Trusts strategy alongside the Development Director.

Essential Criteria

• Experience writing successful five and six figure bids.
• Strong relationship‑building skills with trustees and funders.
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and reporting requirements.
• Strong written communication skills adaptable for different funders.
• Proactive and collaborative approach.
• Ability to manage a minimum annual Trust income target of c£250,000.
• Understanding of impact reporting/evaluation.
• Desirable Criteria
• Experience in the arts or charity sector.
• Knowledge of Spektrix or similar CRM systems.
• Experience stewarding funders via events or project visits.

Please visit our website for full details.