Grants manager jobs

Make a real difference in your community! 

As TCF Programme Officer, you’ll be at the heart of two exciting funding programmes: the Thurrock Community Fund, supporting local voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise projects, and the new ‘#I Will Fund’ from the National Lottery, empowering youth-led social action. 

You’ll coordinate applications, grants, and reporting, ensuring both funds run smoothly and fairly—giving you the chance to see your work directly benefit local people and projects that matter.

#Community Fund Programme Officer. #Programme Officer. #Community 

Role Summary 

Every day, babies are born premature or sick and families face frightening uncertainty. Bliss is the UK charity working to ensure they receive the best possible care and support. We’re looking for a motivated Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer to help grow our high value income and build strong, impactful relationships with partners and donors.

• Location: Hybrid (minimum three days per fortnight in London SE1)

• Salary: £33,368 FTE

• Terms:  35 hours per week (part time considered). Permanent

Role Details 

You’ll work closely with the Partnerships & Philanthropy Manager to support and grow a portfolio of corporate partners, philanthropists and high value prospects. This varied role is perfect for someone who enjoys building relationships, developing creative proposals, and coordinating meaningful supporter engagement.
You’ll help deliver tailored stewardship, identify new opportunities, and work with colleagues across Bliss to gather compelling stories and impact data that demonstrate the difference our supporters make.
 
What you will do
•Support the delivery of Bliss’ high value fundraising strategy
•Manage and steward relationships with partners, major donors and prospects
•Prepare tailored proposals, presentations and stewardship updates
•Research prospects and sectors to help build a strong pipeline
•Coordinate meetings, events and engagement opportunities
•Work collaboratively across teams to develop strong cases for support
•Maintain accurate CRM records and support internal reporting
•Ensure all activity follows fundraising regulation and GDPR requirements
 

About you
We’d love to hear from you if you have:
•Experience managing external relationships (fundraising, partnerships, account management or commercial)
•Clear, confident and engaging communication skills
•Ability to develop tailored proposals, pitches or presentations
•Strong commercial awareness and a collaborative approach
•Excellent organisation, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
•Experience using CRMs or databases (Raiser’s Edge a plus)
•Good IT skills (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint)
•A commitment to the aims and values of Bliss
 

For more details please view the job description and person specification attached to this advert.  

How to apply  

To apply, please submit your CV along with answers to the following three questions (instead of a supporting statement):
1.Tell us about your experience managing relationships with external stakeholders.
2.Give an example of a proposal, pitch or presentation you helped create and how you tailored it.
3.Share an example of managing multiple priorities and collaborating across teams.
 

We understand applicants may use AI tools to assist in shaping responses, which is absolutely fine — we simply ask that answers reflect your own experience.

This information is used when shortlisting candidates for interview.

It is Bliss’ policy not to contact applicants who have not been invited for an interview so if you have not heard from us three weeks after the closing deadline, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful. 

Recruitment Timeline  

• The deadline for applications is 9am  on Monday 20 April 2026

• First round interviews will be held virtually on 27 or 29 April

• Second round interviews will be in person at our London Bridge offices in w/b 4 May

Fundraising Officer

Stomping Grounds North East
�� North East England (hybrid/remote arrangements considered)
�� Full-time | Permanent
�� £28,000 per annum

�� Help us connect children and communities with nature

Are you a skilled fundraiser who wants to make a real difference? Join Stomping Grounds North East and help expand access to life-changing outdoor experiences for children, young people and families.

About Us

Stomping Grounds North East is a charity dedicated to connecting children, young people, families and communities with nature through forest school and outdoor learning activities across Northumberland, Durham, Gateshead and Newcastle.

We believe that access to the outdoors and its benefits should be a right, not a privilege, and we actively work to remove barriers for under-served groups.

Our Values

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those who are under-represented in the outdoor and environmental sector.

We recognise that diverse perspectives strengthen our work and are dedicated to creating a welcoming, supportive and inclusive environment for all staff, participants and partners.

Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment

Stomping Grounds North East works closely with children, young people and families and is committed to safeguarding and promoting their welfare.

We embed safeguarding across all areas of our work and expect all staff to share this commitment. This role is subject to safer recruitment processes, including satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.

About the Role

We are seeking a proactive and skilled Fundraising Officer to lead and grow our income generation activities. You will play a key role in securing funding, building strong relationships, and communicating the impact of our work.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and develop fundraising activity within a growing organisation and directly contribute to expanding our reach and impact.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Applications

• Develop and submit high-quality funding applications to trusts, foundations and statutory funders
• Build and manage a strong funding pipeline
• Work with senior leadership to shape fundraising strategy

Donor Management

• Manage individual giving, including one-off and regular donations
• Build long-term relationships with donors
• Maintain accurate records and ensure GDPR compliance

Corporate Partnerships

• Develop relationships with corporate partners and local businesses
• Create tailored sponsorship proposals
• Deliver partner engagement and reporting

Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact

• Support impact measurement across programmes
• Collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data
• Produce clear reports for funders and stakeholders
• Monitor income against targets and report on performance

Storytelling & Communications

• Capture compelling stories and case studies
• Support fundraising through content across digital platforms
• Ensure ethical and sensitive representation of participants

Compliance & Reporting

• Submit funder reports in line with agreements
• Maintain strong record-keeping and stewardship practices

About You

Essential

• Experience in fundraising, bid writing or grant management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organisational and project management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Experience of monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting

Desirable

• Experience in the charity, education or outdoor learning sector
• Experience in corporate or community fundraising
• Experience in ethical storytelling

What We Offer

• A meaningful role in a values-driven organisation
• Flexible working arrangements
• A supportive and collaborative team
• Opportunities for professional development
• The chance to make a tangible difference

How to Apply

Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

To apply, please visit the Stomping Grounds North East website and go to the ‘Join our team’ page.

Leading international development grant assurance specialists seek experienced French speaking audit professional for exciting international management opportunities. 

Responsibilities
• Travelling internationally to a wide range of locations, on a regular basis, conducting audits or special assignments; working with, and supporting NGOs, public sector organisations & institutional donors such as the UN.
• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of public sector audit issues and techniques and provide guidance to other team members based on previous experience;
• Demonstrate a detailed understanding of public sector structures and the legal and contractual frameworks in which the assignments are performed and provide guidance to other team members based on previous experience;
• Demonstrate a detailed understanding of International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and provide guidance to other team members based on previous experience;
• Be involved in the assignment process from planning to finalisation;
Prepare a tailored plan for large or complex assignments based on an understanding of the terms of reference;
• Lead assignment fieldwork teams including locally based staff for large or complex assignments;
• Demonstrate the ability to identify the findings on an assignment and write them up in a detailed, precise and clear way in the assignment report;
• Lead opening meetings and present the audit findings at closing meetings;
• Conduct assignments in a sceptical but constructive manner;
• Draft a report for each assignment on a timely basis;
• Be responsible for completing the audit programme and audit file;
• Be aware of assignment deadlines and work with the team to ensure deadlines are met;
• Monitor the time spent on assignments against budget and discuss with the Manager if budget overruns are anticipated;
• Prepare proposals for specific assignments within a framework contract
• Contribute to drafting tenders;
• Identify potential opportunities for obtaining new work. Take action to follow up such
opportunities with a manager/partner;
• Develop internal contacts and demonstrate an awareness of the services offered by other
departments in the firm;

Internal development 
• Provide on the job training and guidance to more junior team members throughout the
assignment process;
• Contribute to office-based training sessions including development of training material;
• Conduct induction training for new staff members;
• Do job appraisals for more junior team members;
• Check that the staff planner is kept up to date for each assignment;
 

Please note, if you are not a fluent French speaker similar opportunities may be availabe - so please apply. 

Based at Head Office, in Saunderton near High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, with flexible hybrid working

35 hours per week – Full-time/part-time could be considered

About Us

National charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, trains dogs to transform the lives of deaf people and provides hearing loss services – because nobody with hearing loss should feel alone.

About The Role

Overview:

• Working as part of the Trusts and Foundations department, you will help to deliver the objectives and income targets through your work with Trusts and Foundations.
• Reporting to the Head of Trusts and Foundations, you will work as part of a high-achieving, small but busy department.
• You will be able to develop relationships with colleagues in the wider teams, senior staff, Hearing Dogs trustees, external trusts and foundation managers and administrators.
• To be able to make bids and write applications to maximise financial support from charitable trusts and foundations, philanthropists and major donors.
• A good knowledge of Trusts and Foundation fundraising and experience of delivering excellent stewardship with external stakeholders.
• The Trusts and Foundations team has a target of £1.3m in 2026-27, growing to £2.1m by 2029-30.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Support the Head of Trusts and Foundations to achieve annual targets, including meeting a personal income target each year.
2. Create and deliver high-quality applications for grant funding for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and Hearing Link Services, creating a synergy of combined applications to maximise income for both areas of our work.
3. Investigate new projects that may be funded by applying for new restricted grants.
4. Develop relationships with colleagues in fundraising, dog operation team, senior staff, Hearing Dogs Trustees, external Trusts and Foundation managers and administrators.
5. Research the market and develop market knowledge. Establish new partnerships with Trusts, using all relevant and appropriate research techniques to understand their grant-giving criteria.
6. Write and produce compelling trust applications and update reports; to ensure all trusts funding applications are relevant, timely and produced to the highest standard.
7. Record all information on CRM, maintain records and keep records up to date, ensuring future actions are also recorded.
8. Excellent knowledge of database processes and ability to support the team with statistical information.
9. Create reports for income and ensure all templates are up to date.
10. Provide comprehensive funding information to Head of Trusts and Foundations and Director of Income Generation, and regular reporting and recommendations on future funding opportunities.
11. Account manage Trust and Foundation relationships, ensuring the trust receives updates and reports on time.
12. Work collaboratively with colleagues in the Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy departments to identify opportunities to secure new donors, for example where a major donor may have their own family foundation or where Trusts can attend major donor events.
13. Work closely with the Prospect Research Manager to build a personal pipeline of new Trusts and Foundations.
14. Work closely with the Case for Support and Impact Manager to develop tailored cases and proposals and high-quality reporting with a focus on outcomes and impact. 

About You

The following attributes are considered essential for the job:

• Minimum 3 years' experience in Trusts and foundations fundraising
• Experience of working in the charity Sector
• Excellent and persuasive writing skills and a sharp eye for details
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Experience of large-scale bid writing for specific projects over multiple years

The following attributes are considered desirable for the job:

• Formal training or a qualification in fundraising

Please note: This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 due to its duties involving the protection of children and/or adults at risk. Applicants are therefore required to disclose all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands, as well as any relevant non-conviction information. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with the Police Act 1997 (Part V).

Please apply by providing your CV and Cover Letter by 3rd April 2026.

Post(s): Fundraising Assistant x2
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Part-Time, 17.5 hours
Salary: £24,962.70 FTE per annum
Location: Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Bewick House 22 Thorpe Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 1RY + Hybrid Working

About Us

Norfolk Wildlife Trust is the oldest Wildlife Trust in the country and Norfolk’s largest environmental charity, committed to the protection and enhancement of Norfolk’s wildlife and wild places.

About you and The Role

We are seeking a motivated and highly organised Fundraising Assistant to join our successful and dynamic Fundraising Team. The Fundraising Assistant will be based in Bewick House in the Development and Partnerships Directorate.

As Fundraising Assistant, you will report to, and work closely with, the Grants and Philanthropy Manager, under the overall leadership of the and Director of Development and Partnerships. You will also work with the Senior Philanthropy Officer, Corporate Partnerships Manager, Supporter Development Manager, Corporate Fundraising Officer, Grants Officer, Fundraising Officer (Claims) and Fundraising Officer (Legacies).

You will be joining the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Fundraising team – a supportive, innovative and welcoming team, responsible for Individual Giving, Major Donors, Grants and Trusts, Legacies, Community Fundraising as well as Corporate Supporters. This team is tasked with providing, maintaining and growing the income of the Trust.  We have a particularly exciting and challenging period ahead as the Trust in it its centenary year and seeks to source funding for its ambitious strategy “A Wilder Norfolk for All”. With responsibility for the administration of the efforts of the Fundraising Team, you will work closely with colleagues in Nature Conservation, Nature Recovery, the Visitor Centres and PR and Comms, and Engagement.

You will play a pivotal role in the efficient operation of NWT’s fundraising systems and effective recording of the Team’s communications and income details on the Trust’s CRM system.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust prides itself in having excellent reputation for managing its relationships with donors, sponsors, funders and potential funders sensitively always. You will play an important role in assisting with the stewardship of our supporters by coordinating our regular contact strategy with donors and provide administrative support to the Director of Development and Partnerships, Grants and Philanthropy Manager and Senior Philanthropy Officer.

Working closely with other fundraising officers, you will make a direct contribution to the work of the team through supporting the Fundraising officers deliver supporter stewardship events, co-ordinating collection boxes, on-line giving schemes and small-scale community giving.

You will be responsible for drafting and co-ordinating communications acknowledging supporter donations and Donations in Memory.

Being at the front-line of communication you will maintain a positive, pleasant and ‘can-do’ attitude in dealings with all those inside and outside the organisation.

You will have demonstrable administrative and customer-facing experience.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust owns and manages a diverse range of sites across Norfolk including the Trust’s 60 nature reserves, four visitor centres and operates from its head office at Bewick House in Norwich. The trust has more than 41,000 members, 160 employees (including our valued seasonal staff) as well as 450 volunteers working across the organisation.

We value respect, integrity, trust and responsibility. We want our people to be as diverse as nature itself and so we particularly encourage applications from those currently under-represented within our sector, including people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. Please let us know if you require any adjustment processes to make our recruitment process more accessible.

The hours of work will be 17.5 hours. We operate a hybrid system where the Fundraising Team works at least 3 days a week in the Bewick House Office (with all the Team present on Wednesdays). You may be expected to work occasional evenings and weekends for which reasonable time off in lieu will be granted. We will consider full time applicants for this role.

The closing date for receipt of applications is midnight on Sunday 19th April 2026. Applications received after that date will not be considered.

Interviews are likely to take place during w/c 27th April 2026, at Bewick House, 22 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RY.

We regret that we are unable to reply to all applicants due to the quantity of correspondence. We will only contact you if you have been selected for an interview.  If you have not heard again from us by 27th April 2026 you should assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.

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.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We value respect, integrity, trust and responsibility. We want our people to be as diverse as nature itself and so we particularly encourage applications from those currently under-represented within our sector, including people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities. We welcome people of all backgrounds and levels of experience with nature, and continually strive to improve our culture and practices. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. Please let us know if you require any adjustment processes to make our recruitment process more accessible.

No agencies please.

Settled is a dynamic charity that supports the rights of EU and Ukrainians citizens who have made the UK their home, through providing expert, multi-lingual services. We seek an experienced communications professional with technical and writing skills, who understands how great communications can boost the profile and sustainability of a charity and help it meet the needs of its beneficiaries. Organising events is also part of the role. If you would like to join our supportive and impactful team, please  include a cover letter which explains how you fulfil the person specification, along with your CV.

Centre 404 is looking for an experienced and ambitious Fundraising & Engagement Manager to lead and grow our fundraising and engagement activity—helping us provide vital support to people with learning disabilities and their families. 

You will oversee the development and delivery of innovative fundraising initiatives, donor stewardship, and engagement campaigns, ensuring sustainable growth and increased visibility for the organisation.  As an expert in your field, you will work collaboratively across teams and with external partners, to champion Centre 404’s mission within local communities and beyond.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of Centre 404’s fundraising strategy and drive innovative approaches across individual giving, corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, and community fundraising.  You will play a key role in shaping our income generation, increasing our visibility, and maximising our impact.

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead Fundraising Strategy - develop and deliver a dynamic fundraising strategy across multiple income streams. Identify new opportunities and drive year‑on‑year income growth.
• Engage & Inspire Supporters - build strong relationships with donors, corporate partners, and local communities.  Create compelling fundraising campaigns, events, and cases for support. Nurture long‑term supporter loyalty, including legacy and in‑memory giving.
• Secure Grants & Manage Bids - research and secure funding from trusts and foundations.  Monitor reporting requirements and maintain excellent funder relationships.
• Grow Community & Corporate Partnerships - network widely to raise Centre 404’s profile.  Secure financial support, gifts in kind and employee engagement.  Support individuals and teams to succeed in their own fundraising efforts.
• Strengthen Communications & Impact - work with the Communications Team to create engaging digital content and newsletters.  Champion consistent, mission‑driven messaging across all platforms.
• Lead with Purpose - Embed a fundraising culture across the organisation.  Implement a CRM system to manager data effectively. Contribute to organisational strategy as a member of the management team.

About You

• Substantial experience in fundraising from at least one of the following: trusts and foundations, corporates or individual giving.
• Substantial understanding of charity sector regulations, compliance requirements, and ethical fundraising standards.
• Knowledge of donor stewardship and supporter engagement strategies.
• A track record of achieving and exceeding fundraising targets.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to craft persuasive proposals and campaigns.
• Excellent project management, data monitoring, and CRM experience.
• A proactive, innovative mindset and a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Centre 404 is a warm, values‑driven organisation with a rich history of supporting people with learning disabilities for over 70 years. We are collaborative, ambitious, and committed to creating life‑changing impact for families across North London. We will provide a detailed induction and on-going training and support. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and we are looking to recruit people who share these values. All offers of employment are subject to a relevant DBS check, proof of eligibility to work in the UK and satisfactory references covering a five year period.

We are dedicated to providing a meaningful and rewarding work environment, as well as offering a range of perks and benefits for our staff to enjoy.

Centre 404 is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Charity ref number 299889

Come and help us make a difference to the lives of children and young people in Birmingham!

Beyond the Horizon is a Birmingham-based children’s charity supporting young people after bereavement, family breakdown, and domestic abuse. We’re looking for an experienced Finance Manager to join our small, dedicated team.

The Finance Manager is responsible for the effective financial management of Beyond the Horizon Charity. The role requires close attention to detail, strong analytical ability and a proactive approach to maintaining accurate, timely, and compliant financial information.

As a small but dynamic organisation with multiple income streams, including grants, donations, commissioned work and fundraising, the postholder must have previous experience of managing and reporting across varied funding sources.

This role supports both operational efficiency and strategic decision‑making by providing the CEO and Trustees with robust financial information, clear analysis, and well‑founded advice.

Please note this is a hybrid role and some office working will be required (Birmingham)

Fauna & Flora is seeking qualified candidates to lead delivery of a major new transboundary conservation initiative in one of Europe’s last wild river systems. The Lika-Pounje-Upper Una river transboundary landscape is a rare, connected ecosystem shared by Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, facing growing pressures and in urgent need of coordinated action. As Project Manager, you will drive day‑to‑day delivery, support local partners, and help build the foundations for long‑term ecological resilience and sustainable rural development across this unique river corridor

.

You will join our Central & South-eastern Europe and the Balkans programme at a pivotal moment, shaping a new model of cross‑border collaboration for freshwater and karst landscapes. This is an opportunity to apply your project management and partnership‑building skills to a landscape where decisions in the next few years will determine its future. Working with committed local partners and specialists, you will help secure lasting benefits for biodiversity, communities and the Lika-Pounje-Upper Una river landscape.

The successful candidate will have a substantial proven track record in leading complex, multi-stakeholder conservation or landscape-scale initiatives, ideally within the Balkans or comparable contexts. They will be an experienced project manager, skilled at working across cultures and sectors, and able to bring diverse partners — including protected area authorities, community stakeholders, and civil society organisations — together around shared objectives. Experience working alongside protected area management and community-based or co-management approaches will also be important. You will be skilled in providing strategic advice and technical input to the design, development, implementation, evaluation and reporting for projects and will have excellent project, grant, financial and people management skills. The role also requires a skilled and credible communicator, who is confident in developing and managing relationships with partner organisations and relevant stakeholders, and able to write donor proposals and reports.

The successful candidate will have proven experience in project management, capacity building, community mobilisation and engagement as well as a commitment to organisational, donor and legal compliance.

Please visit our website and download the job application for further details on how to apply

The closing date for applications is Sunday, 5 April 2026. Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 7 April 2026.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship of a Skilled Worker Visa.

Job Title: Business Development Manager (Fundraising & Earned Income)

Responsible to: Chief Executive

Location: Hybrid (with some in-person work as required)

Fulltime Salary: £42k pro rata (£25,200 for 3 days a week), dependent on experience 

Contract: Part-time (3 days a week), Permanent (subject to funding)

Role Purpose

The Business Development Manager will lead income generation for Sounddelivery Media, securing funding through grants, partnerships, and earned income from services offered to the SDM network and external clients. The role is critical to SDM’s sustainability and long-term growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver SDM’s business development and income generation strategy.

• Develop earned-income opportunities, including consultancy, training, production, and services for the SDM network and beyond.

• Build and manage relationships with funders, commissioners, partners, and clients.

• Lead on writing high-quality funding applications, proposals, and pitches.

• Work with senior staff to develop budgets, pricing, and cost recovery models.

• Track income pipelines and report on progress and performance.

• Support organisational sustainability planning and strategic growth.

• Develop and implement effective strategies to utilise digital platforms in income generation and stakeholder immersive experiences. Including the effective use of online shopping and social media platforms.

• Work with the CEO to develop and deliver Sounddelivery Media’s ambitious income generation strategy, securing both our annual operating budget.

• Accountable for all fundraising and voluntary income generation, expanding further into major Corporate Partnerships, Philanthropy, Trusts & Foundations, Statutory Bodies, Grant makers, Major Gifts, Government Contracts, Supporter Engagement etc

• Prepare operational budgets for all income generation activities.

• Set clear, ambitious, measurable targets for income generating activity, making effective use of benchmarking and industry standards.

Person Specification

Experience (Essential):

• Proven experience in fundraising, business development, or income generation within the charity or social enterprise sector.

• Strong track record of securing grant funding and/or earned income.

• Excellent proposal and bid-writing skills.

• Strong financial literacy and experience developing budgets.

• Confident relationship builder with excellent communication skills.

Experience (Desirable):

• Experience of developing services for networks or membership organisations.

• Knowledge of the media, creative, or cultural sectors.

• Experience working with Corporate Partnerships, Philanthropy, Trusts & Foundations, Statutory Bodies, Grant makers, Major Gifts, Government Contracts, Supporter Engagement etc

• Proven experience delivering significant growth and working to sustain the income of organisations turnover up to £1 million.

• Experience of financial literacy, analysis and forecasting skills.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to work on own initiative with minimum supervision

• Ability to carry out tasks in a meticulous and methodical manner and pay close attention to detail

Flexibility & Commitment

• An open and flexible attitude, willing to work as part of a team

• Honesty and integrity to maintain confidential information and data and handle money

SMART CJS – Trust and Foundations Bid Writer

Role Overview

Are you committed to supporting people who are homeless or rough sleeping?

Are you proactive with a positive attitude?

Job Title: Trust and Foundations Bid Writer (with some responsibility for corporate fundraising)

Hours: 37 hours per week

Location: Working from our office in central Bedford, with some provision for remote working.

About SMART CJS

Founded in 1997, we are a charity that provides safe spaces for people who are facing or experiencing homelessness, are rough sleeping or have fallen on tough times. As times have changed, our services have adapted and grown, but we’ve always kept the people we support at the centre of all that we do. We believe that everyone needs a little help sometimes and, with trust, respect and honesty, people can make incredible changes. Our vision is to transform communities so that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential, participate in and contribute to all aspects of life. Our mission is to provide safe spaces to work with vulnerable people within our communities, empowering them to make positive changes and take control of their lives.

Why Join Us?

We believe in diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

Benefits include:

• 27 days Annual Leave (rising to 30 after 3 years) + Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Generous Pension scheme (after successfully completing a probation period)
• Excellent Development and Growth Opportunities
• Access to a Charity Worker Discount scheme
• Access to the company health and wellbeing service including support with mental health, legal advice and more
• Access to an online GP service

We require all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This job description will be supplemented by annual objectives which will be developed in conjunction with the post holder.

The Role

SMART CJS is looking to recruit a Trusts and Foundations Bid Writer. The successful candidate will also have some responsibility for corporate fundraising with businesses based in Bedford and beyond; this responsibility will be shared with our Community and Corporate Fundraiser.

The main responsibility, though, will be to generate income by writing bids to charitable trusts and foundations, and to statutory funders.

The role will include researching and identifying charity trusts and similar bodies which are able to make an award to SMART. It will also include keeping abreast of developments in fundraising in the charity sector as a whole, especially in the field of grant awarding and, to a lesser extent, of corporate giving.

There will be a probationary period for the role. As it generally takes six months for a grant to be awarded (though some arrive more quickly), the probationary period will need to be for a minimum of seven months, though its precise duration can be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Training will be given; the scope of the training will depend on the candidate’s previous experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to join SMART’s friendly and dedicated team. You’ll need to be able to manage your time effectively; the role is primarily self-directed. We envisage that you’ll be working primarily from our offices in Prebend Street, Bedford, though you'll be able to work from home for some of the time as well. Given the nature of our work, personal resilience is important; some of the stories we use when applying for funding can be emotionally challenging.

Our fundraising comes from regular gifts, donations from the community (individuals and groups), and corporate bodies (businesses). The majority of our fundraising income comes from grants. There will be a realistic target for the amount you need to raise; this will reflect the performance for grant applications in the charity sector as a whole and it will not be unrealistic. Fundraising is not an exact science; the assessment of performance against the targets will be fair and reasonable. The final responsibility for SMART’s fundraising rests with the trustees; they appreciate and understand the complexity of the issues involved.

Main Purpose of the Role

You will work closely with the CEO, the Chair of Trustees, the Head of Business and the fundraising team. The post involves gathering information, writing the bids, tracking the progress of submissions, and reporting back to grant awarders on how their money has been spent, if they require this.

There will also be a responsibility for corporate fundraising. This will involve building relationships with businesses in and beyond the Bedford area. The responsibility for this will be shared with our Community and Corporate Fundraiser.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising and Bid Writing

• Research and identify suitable grant and funding opportunities from charitable trusts, foundations, and statutory bodies.
• Write and submit high-quality funding applications and proposals in line with SMART’s strategic priorities.
• Work collaboratively with service leads and front line teams to gather accurate, up-to-date data and service information for applications.
• Tailor the applications to the funder’s criteria, using storytelling effectively.
• Manage a pipeline of applications and submissions, ensuring deadlines are met and income targets are tracked.
• Maintain and build relationships with key funders, providing timely reports and updates on grant-funded work.
• Work to realistic targets and be able to provide feedback on these.
• Organisational Development and Support
• Contribute to the strategic development of SMART’s income generation plans.
• Support development of strong internal bid and grant management systems.
• Monitor success rates and provide monthly reporting on funding performance to the Head of Business and to the Chair of Trustees.
• Represent SMART CJS at funding briefings, webinars, and networking opportunities where appropriate.

Other Responsibilities

• Participate in SMART’s performance management and appraisal process.
• Attend the monthly meetings of the Fundraising Committee (a sub‑committee of the Board of Trustees).
• Comply with health and safety policies and procedures.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role, as required by the CEO, the Head of Business or the Chair of Trustees.

Person Specification

Whether you’re already an experienced bid-writer, or whether you think this is something that you could learn to do effectively, we’d like to hear from you. You need to have excellent skills in written English and be able to write in prose that’s clear and readily understandable to the general reader. The criteria for each grant awarder are different; you need to be able to match your bid to what they would like to fund (homelessness, mental health, relief of poverty, women’s issues and so on). You need, then, to tell SMART’s story in a way which appeals to each funder.

You need to have excellent inter-personal skills and be able to work as part of a team. While there is a strong element of self-direction in the role, you need to be able to work closely with senior management and also with the trustees; the trustees have the final responsibility for fundraising in the charity.

You will need, too, to have a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to have a genuine interest in homelessness and the work of the charity, and a commitment to improving our clients’ lives and wellbeing.

Our focus is on creating libraries of tomorrow with children and young people today.

We want all children and young people to feel at home at the library, to be understood, empowered and inspired. Our collaborative network is made up of member, partners and supporters. We believe in the need for safe spaces and real-life connections to support the demands of modern life. Together, we’re creating change, and you can be a part of it.

This is a pivotal moment of growth and development for Libraries Rising as a young charity. We’re seeking a passionate, skilled manager to join our team. We’re looking for someone to bring the energy and expertise to help us develop and grow over the next 12 months.

We’re looking for:

An experienced project manager who enjoys a flexible and iterative approach.

A proactive leader who is energised by variety, and able to work effectively across diverse topics and themes.

A values led bid writer who has experience of co-creating successful grant funding bids.

A creative thinker who enjoys a productive and responsive environment.

An enthusiastic collaborator who will build strong relationships with our team, members and partners.

We’re looking for someone who lives our values - progressive, collaborative, kind, aspirational and inclusive.

What’s important to us needs to be important to you too. We want to focus on impact, to work openly, to collaborate with and learn from others, to take the time to care for ourselves and each other, and to have fun together. We want to build an environmentally sustainable charity, and we want to be celebrated as an inclusion changemaker in the sector.

About the work

We are an Arts Council England Investment Principles Support Organisation. Our members are leaders in children and young people’s public libraries and schools library services (SLS). 

The Development and Delivery Manager (Projects) is a new role for the charity. You will work with a small and growing team, who are passionate about our mission and vision. You will also work with our members (leaders of children’s public library and School Library Service leaders) and sector partners.

We are in the final stages of creating our strategy for the future. You’ll be supporting us with organisational and sector development across all pillars, with a particular focus on our Thriving Charity goals.

Job purpose

To lead and deliver a range priority projects and funding bids for the charity.

The purpose of the role includes:

• To scope and deliver a range of projects to support both organisational and sector developments.
• To convene members and young people to participate in events and workshops, ensuring projects and developments are co-created with stakeholders.
• To compile reviews, reports and options appraisals to aid effective decision making.
• To lead the development and submission of grant and trust funding opportunities.
• To support the shaping, and delivery, of a funding plan to enable delivery of our new charity strategy.
• To ensure creative and flexible use of resources.

What you’ll bring to the role

• Strong project management skills, with experience delivering complex, multi-stakeholder work.
• Track record of delivering to achieve strategic goals and outcomes.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise, plan and manage risk.
• Ability to negotiate and influence.
• Experience of identifying funding opportunities and successfully bidding for grant funding.
• Able to work on own initiative and collaborate within a team.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent listening skills with the ability to take diverse opinions into account.
• Digitally literate and technologically curious, with experience of Microsoft Office and project software.
• Experience managing and monitoring budgets.
• Experience of facilitating events and workshops.
• Committed to engaging and co-creating with children, young people and families.
• Understanding of the role of libraries within communities.
• Experience of managing partnerships, subcontractors or commissioned work.
• Awareness of GDPR implications and requirements.

Personal qualities

• Empathetic, able to understand a variety of viewpoints that are different to their own.
• Calm under pressure and able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining quality.
• Confident in building relationships and constructively challenging where needed.
• Thrives when working collaboratively and taking responsibility for delivery.
• Trusts others and inspires trust.
• Ambitious for our charity, the library sector and for children and young people.
• Strategic thinker who can also absorb and analyse detailed information.
• Entrepreneurial, with the ability to spot opportunities and develop them.
• Asks for feedback and is able to accept and act on it to improve their own performance.
• Understanding of inclusion and its importance within a diverse society.
• Commitment to own continued professional development.

Our application process is open to everyone and anyone with the experience we’re looking for. We have a diverse board of trustees, but we know our staff team is not as diverse as we need for the future, as we grow. We particularly welcome applications from people from racialised communities, men, trans or non-binary individuals, and those with hidden or visible disabilities.

Employee benefits include:

25 days annual leave (pro rata) plus Bank Holidays

5% employer pension contribution

Employee Assist Programme – including 24/7 counselling, health support and legal helpline.

A range of discounts on retail, entertainment, travel and wellbeing.

If you have any questions about the role, or want to chat Tabitha, Chief Executive before applying, please get in touch.

All applicants must have an existing Right to Work in the UK. Please also note that appointment will be made subject to collection of two references and a satisfactory DBS check or evidence of a current DBS certificate.

Are you an outstanding leader, fundraiser and a natural networker? Do you want to help local communities to take practical action to make a difference to UK seas and shores? 

Sea-Changers is looking for a motivated leader to make a step change at a key point in the organisation’s journey. Sea-Changers’ vision is a future where the UK’s seas and shores are clean and healthy and marine species and habitats are protected. Our grants seek to support communities of Sea-Changers – people who care about the seas and want to take practical action to make a difference. Through our grants we enable diverse, grassroots and community-led marine conservation across the UK.

Doubling our income to over £300,000 in 2025 has catalysed Sea-Changers to move from a volunteer-led charity to a sustainable organisation with a dedicated staff team. To enable this, we are seeking to appoint our first Executive Director. This new role will work alongside the Co-Founders and our Board of Trustees and lead the transition from a volunteer-led operation to a staff-led organisation.

As a driven individual, you will build on our success — strengthen partnerships, expand our impact, and help more communities to protect the ocean. Supported by a strong group of volunteers and an impressive Board, the Executive Director will be comfortable working at both a strategic and operation level, and ‘hands on’. By the end of 2027 it is our expectation you will take full responsibility for the strategic leadership and overall operational delivery of Sea-Changers.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for the right individual. It is a chance to build on our success to date, to forge new partnerships with our funders, to motivate and inspire our inspiring volunteer team and to engage with our wide community of applicants. Through Sea-Changers, the Executive Director has the rare chance to deliver a lasting legacy for UK marine conservation.

Strategic leadership, increasing organisational income and managing a motivated team of volunteers are essential aspects to the role. A passion for the marine environment is key, as is a working understanding of UK marine policy. We want someone who passionately advocates for Sea-Changers, who can communicate confidently and credibly at all levels. You will champion our oceans and galvanise others.