Wildlife trust charity fundraiser jobs

Lead a once-in-a-generation capital campaign and help shape the future of wildlife rescue in Shropshire.
Cuan Wildlife Rescue is seeking an ambitious, relationship-driven Fundraising and Capital Campaign Lead to grow our income, profile and partnerships at a pivotal moment in our history. As we embark on an exciting capital build programme to create a new, purpose-built wildlife hospital, you’ll play a central role in securing major gifts, building corporate partnerships, inspiring high-value supporters and opening new doors for Cuan’s future. This is a hands-on, outward-facing role for a confident networker and storyteller who loves building relationships, spotting opportunities and turning passion into impact, working with a passionate team to make a lasting difference for wildlife.

Who we are:

Hope is here. The Global Returns Project (GRP) is a UK charity unlocking new philanthropy to deliver urgent solutions for our planet.

We are a fast-moving nonprofit that makes donations to high-impact nature and climate charities simple – and we don’t take any fees. We’ve already mobilised nearly £2 million for top environmental solutions and are working to unlock at least £30 million annually by the end of the decade.

We are growing quickly: Last year's annual fundraising was 50% higher than the previous year.

The problem: Charities protecting our planet can turn the tide on climate change and nature loss. They have the skills, strategies and networks to deliver fast and global impact. But less than 2% of philanthropy goes to climate mitigation.

Our solution: In the UK alone, around £2 trillion sits with “HNW+” individuals – those holding between £100k and £30 million. Yet traditional philanthropy largely overlooks them. We’re unlocking this funding by offering trusted, pro bono advice and a simple, portfolio approach to giving. Our expertise in UK wealth advice offers a unique path to scalability and systems-change.

What we are looking for:

Job Title: Major Gifts Lead

We’re looking for a confident, experienced fundraiser to lead major-gift fundraising — securing transformational gifts from high-net-worth individuals. This individual will also assist with building wealth-adviser relationships that generate referral leads. You’ll own the full pipeline: prospecting, cultivation, making direct asks, closing and stewardship.

The ideal candidate will be excited to cultivate networks of wealth managers, private-client teams and other advisers to HNWIs, and to convert adviser introductions into committed support. Importantly, you’ll also prospect independently for major gifts outside those referral streams.

To succeed you’ll master three distinct fundraising pitches: a business case for advisers; an impact case to persuade donors to support our portfolio charities; and a systems-change case to win backing for GRP’s operating costs (salaries, office costs, etc) to keep the charity running fee-free.

You’ll be comfortable making direct asks for funding, with evidence of having closed high-value gifts or multi-year commitments. You’ll be willing to roll up your sleeves and get hands-on with everyday cultivation tasks. You’ll thrive in a small team, taking initiative and juggling priorities. Crucially, you’ll care deeply about climate and nature.

Experience required:

Substantial experience in frontline major gifts fundraising (as a guide, likely 5+ years), or an exceptional track record in adjacent fields (private client advisory, philanthropy advisory, etc).

Skills required:

• Major-gifts fundraising, with track record securing high-value and multi-year gifts
• Confidence making direct asks for major gifts
• Prospecting, research and CRM
• Donor stewardship and tailored reporting
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Team player
• Time management
• High attention to detail
• Strong understanding of, and passion to address, climate change / nature loss

Skills preferred but not required:

• Experience in environmental philanthropy
• Experience managing relationships with wealth advisers
• Geographic expertise in Jersey, Guernsey or other high-potential jurisdictions
• Trust/foundation expertise

Main duties and responsibilities:

Major gifts to GRP’s portfolio of charities

• Prospect, cultivate and convert major gifts from individuals to support GRP’s charity portfolio.
• Act as principal point of contact for HNW client referrals from GRP’s wealth-adviser network.
• Source and qualify major gift leads outside the adviser network and add them to the pipeline.
• Prepare tailored cases for support, bespoke asks and gift agreements for portfolio donors.
• Coordinate with team to ensure timely, high-quality, bespoke stewardship.

HNW wealth adviser relationships

• Prospect, cultivate and manage relationships with wealth managers, family offices, private-client teams, philanthropy advisers, etc as a referral stream for GRP.
• ​Present GRP’s proposition to advisers (meetings, presentations, webinars) and design adviser-facing materials when necessary.
• Develop initiatives to generate adviser referrals (events, webinars, co-branded materials) and track referral performance.
• Target and visit high-potential jurisdictions (e.g. Jersey, Guernsey) and other adviser hubs (est. once per month).

Major gifts to GRP’s operating costs

• Prospect, cultivate and convert major gifts to GRP’s core operating costs.
• Prepare business-case and budget materials that explain the strategic case for core funding.
• Pursue appropriate institutional core funders (trusts, foundations, family foundations) and draft proposals where needed.

Location: Centrally located, light and airy office on Regent Street, London. Minimum one day per week in the office. Approx. one day London/UK travel per week.

Benefits: 12.5 days’ annual leave (pro-rata), plus statutory bank holidays (pro-rata). Occasional 1–2 days’ additional paid leave over Christmas period. Flexible working.

Reports to: CEO

Preferred start date: 30 March 2026. Applications reviewed on rolling basis.