Jobs for the Social Welfare sector

Fundraising Manager — £35,000–£40,000 | Hybrid / Somerset / Bristol | Permanent | 35 hrs (flexible)

Thrive has been at the heart of Somerset's communities for 100 years. Village agents supporting isolated older people. Diverse communities programmes. Fuel poverty campaigns. Real, local, human work — delivered across every corner of the county.

This centenary year, Thrive is building its next chapter. A new chief executive has reset the strategic direction. Community energy is building. And the organisation has made a clear decision: it wants a sustainable fundraising base that isn't dependent on statutory contracts alone.

This role is the cornerstone of that ambition.

This isn't a maintenance hire. It's a builder's role.

The Fundraising Manager will lead across community fundraising, individual giving and trusts and foundations — with community and individual giving as the primary focus. The tools are in place. The mission is compelling. The stories are extraordinary. Thrive already has the reach, the relationships and the centenary momentum. What's missing is the right person to build the pipeline and turn that momentum into lasting income.

The target: 2,000 active supporters by year end, with a clear pathway to converting them into regular givers over time.

What you'll be doing:

• Building a structured community fundraising programme — creating frameworks that enable supporters, staff and volunteers to fundraise on Thrive's behalf
• Growing the individual giving base from a low starting point — developing supporter journeys, regular giving and stewardship
• Managing a grants pipeline and writing compelling applications to trusts and foundations
• Leading digital acquisition campaigns in partnership with the marketing team
• Line managing the Fundraising Administrator and helping them develop grant-writing skills over time
• Helping build a fundraising culture across the organisation where frontline staff feel part of the story

What we're looking for:

• A track record in community fundraising, individual giving or events fundraising
• Some experience of trusts and foundations — this doesn't need to be your primary specialism
• Strong written skills — the ability to translate real human stories into compelling fundraising copy
• A self-starter who works well with autonomy in a small team
• Genuine connection to Thrive's mission and the communities it serves
• Based in Somerset or within easy reach of Taunton — primarily home-based with approximately one day per week in the office

What Thrive offers:

• £35,000–£40,000 FTE
• Genuine flexibility — hybrid working that actually reflects how the organisation operates
• A values-led culture where kindness, compassion and psychological safety aren't just policies
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Real scope for career progression — if the fundraising function delivers, the trajectory in salary, responsibility and seniority is genuine

This role will suit you if:

You want to be a Head of Fundraising one day. You're frustrated by being siloed. You want breadth, autonomy and the chance to build something that matters — in a place where the mission is real and the communities are real.

This role is being recruited exclusively through Raise + Recruit, an independent not-for-profit executive search adviser. All enquiries are handled in complete confidence.

For a confidential conversation, contact John Austin — no obligation, no lengthy application process at this stage.

For over 60 years the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been building a better childhood for all.

Research and Policy Manager
Contract: Fixed-term, 24-months
Work Pattern: Full Time, 35 hours per week (1.0 FTE) (We are open to flexible hours and working patterns, including accommodating part-time and compressed hours (0.8 FTE) where possible).
Salary: £40,855 per annum
Location: Northern Ireland. (NCB promotes a hybrid, flexible way of working with 2 days working in the Belfast BT15 office).

The Vacancy

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Research and Policy Manager to make a significant contribution to the design, delivery and management of research and evidence projects at NCB, and to ensure that this evidence is used to influence national policy development and decision making.

The postholder will work across a range of projects, bring research and policy development and influencing together on topics including social care and the transition to adulthood; education; mental health & wellbeing; child poverty; youth violence and early years.

About NCB

For more than 60 years, the National Children’s Bureau has championed the rights and amplified the voice of children and young people in the UK. We interrogate policy and uncover evidence, blending in lived and learnt experience to shape future legislation and develop more effective ways of supporting children and families.

Bringing people and organisations together is fundamental to how we improve the systems that babies, children, young people and their families rely on to thrive. We push boundaries, even looking beyond childhood itself to consider transitions into adulthood and the impact of childhood issues on an entire lifespan. We are united for better childhoods and brighter futures.

The Benefits

• 30 Days Annual Leave
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible Working
• Winter Holiday Closure & Break
• Employee Assistance Programme

Closing date: 08:00am, Wednesday 10th June 2026.
Assessment and interviews to be conducted on 23rd and 24th June 2026.
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are actively seeking to broaden the diversity of our staff group and warmly welcome applications from candidates underrepresented in the charity sector, including those from Black and Global Majority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with lived experience of the issues NCB works on.

No agencies please.