Fundraising Manager

The Stuart Low Trust (SLT) is a well-respected and award-winning charity based in Islington supporting people who experience mental health issues and socially isolated.  SLT was created to be radically different from other local charities – uniquely accessible, inclusive and community-embedded. We create safe, inclusive and welcoming spaces to build confidence, connection and hope.  You will be joining a small friendly team, where we care about staff wellbeing. 

Founded in memory of Stuart Low, who tragically took his own life aged only 27 when he couldn’t find the right support, SLT has been embedded in Islington’s community since 1997.  Today we support over 500 adults per year through social groups -  creative arts, nature-based activities, wellbeing workshops and peer support.  90% of participants report improved mental health and wellbeing. 

Why Join Us?  
This is an opportunity to play a transformative role in a small but impactful charity. Your work will directly enable adults experiencing isolation to access safe, creative and life-affirming activities. You will help shape the next stage of SLT’s growth — strengthening financial resilience while being rooted in compassion, inclusion and community.  We believe in trusting the expertise of our staff and giving them the freedom to thrive with regular support on hand when needed. 

Why this Role is Different 
You will be stepping into an organisation in a strong position to build on: 

• Multi-year funding security (63% of next year’s income already secured through multi-year grants, 4 months’ free reserves, annual income circa £250k). 
• Trusted funders include City Bridge Foundation, Garfield Weston, Sport England and leading City Livery Companies. 
• Strategic Plan 2024–28 with clear goals. 
• An expert consultant designed fundraising growth roadmap for the exciting opportunities in and around Islington (tech companies, creative industries, City of London including livery companies). 
• Excellent impact measurement systems. 
• A highly experienced Chief Executive with 30 years in the sector. 
• A collaborative and supportive team, who understand fundraising is everyone’s responsibility. 

We are small, respected, financially stable — and ready for our next phase of development.  This is a strategic role, but very hands-on. Perfect for someone who thrives in a small charity where you can see the impact of your work every week. 

Who we are seeking 
We are seeking an ambitious and strategic Fundraising Manager. This is a hands-on role for an experienced fundraiser who enjoys writing high-quality grant applications and building strong relationships with supporters. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will have a primary focus on strengthening our trusts and foundations pipeline, while building on our existing corporate, community and individual giving to diversify income, particularly among local supporters and City-based businesses.  

We are seeking a fundraiser who combines: 

• A strong track record securing trust and foundation income 
• Experience growing income beyond trusts (corporate, community or individual) 
• Excellent storytelling and bid-writing skills 
• Confidence engaging senior stakeholders 
• Emotional intelligence and relationship-building strength 
• Comfort working autonomously in a small team 
• Experience in a mental health organisation or small charity is desirable but not essential.  

Summary role description 

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will: 

Lead & Strengthen Trusts and Foundations Income 

• Own and develop a strong pipeline. 
• Write compelling, high-quality applications. 
• Deepen funder relationships to secure renewals and uplifts. 

Diversify Income (Strategic Growth Area) 

• Develop corporate partnerships in Islington, King’s Cross tech, creative industries and the City. 
• Build community and individual giving, especially among affluent local residents. 
• Shape meaningful long-term partnerships, not transactional asks. 

Build Sustainable Systems 

• Strengthen stewardship journeys. 
• Improve unrestricted income streams. 
• Use donor tracking systems and explore AI tools intelligently and ethically. 
• Contribute to fundraising communications and our profile-building. 

What You’ll Gain 

• Real autonomy and ownership 
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays   
• Occupational pension scheme 
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements  
• Access to training and development opportunities 
• Supportive management culture, line-managed by the Chief Executive, who has 30 years' experience in the charity sector 
• Opportunity to shape a three-year diversification journey 
• Direct strategic influence in a respected charity 
• A genuinely collaborative, values-led culture 

Location 
Based at Jean Stokes Community Centre, Islington (5 minutes by bus from King’s Cross) 

Application instructions 
Please note, while we appreciate the value of AI tools, we strongly prefer that applicants prepare their supporting statements with minimal use of AI.  This helps us to better understand your authentic voice, skills and motivation for this role.  Thank you. 

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and two satisfactory references. 

We are embrace diversity, equality of opportunity and inclusion. We are committed to building a team that represents are variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.  The more inclusive we are, the more we can achieve. 

Deadline for applications: Sunday, 5th April 2026 at 11.30pm
Interviews: Monday, 20th April 2026 
Estimated Start:  June/July 2026