Major donor executive jobs

This is a key role within our team dedicated to delivering outstanding customer service. You will be the first point of contact for all of Stewardship’s customers, especially those using our giving platform. In this role, your customer service expertise will shine as you understand client needs, assist with a diverse range of enquiries, and resolve issues promptly to deliver an exceptional and joyful experience for every customer that brings our mission and values to life.

We’re looking for a warm, customer-focused individual who is passionate about delivering great service, creating meaningful connection with Stewardship’s customers and prospective customers, and helping those we serve be the best stewards of the resources God gives them.

Occupational Requirement (OR)

As a result of our Christian ethos, this post is covered by an Occupational Requirement (OR) under Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010. The successful applicant will be expected to be a practising Christian and to clearly demonstrate a personal commitment to the mission, principles, values and practices contained in our Ethos Statement, by:

· Active membership of local church congregation.

An understanding of the faith aspects of the work of Christian charities, including the preparedness to pray with colleagues, where appropriate.

Charity People is delighted to be partnering with Wells Maltings to recruit for their new position of CEO.

Location: Wells-next-the-Sea / Hybrid
Salary: c.£50,000
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time (37 hours) or part-time (minimum 4 days/week). Some evening and weekend work required.

Wells Maltings a vibrant arts, heritage and community venue, opened in 2018, and set in beautiful Wells-next-the-Sea at the heart of the North Norfolk AONB. We are a year-round hub of excellence for the arts providing a diverse and extensive programme, plus heritage preservation, community cohesion and tourism for our coastal town and the surrounding environs.

About the Role

This is a brand-new role for an experienced senior leader and income generation specialist to join the team at Wells Maltings and lead on developing and delivering our fundraising, commercial and operations strategies. You will have the space to make a real impact, supported by both an experienced team and an engaged Board of Trustees.

About you

We are looking for a leader with a strong understanding of income generation in the arts and culture sector, preferably with experience of running a venue.

You will bring your leadership experience, financial acumen and fundraising skills. You will lead the organisation, shape how we generate income and increase our commercial and individual sponsorship, all with the aim of securing a sustainable future for the charity and the communities we support.

How to Apply
Formal application is via CV and supporting statement addressing three specific questions outlined in the recruitment pack. Please download a copy of the job pack

Closing: 9am, Monday 20th April 2026
Interviews: Friday 1st May 2026

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential. Please inform us if you require any assistance or adjustment to help ensure the application process works for you.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

In this exciting and varied role, within our growing Engagement Directorate you will be part of the core team responsible for delivering the charities special events portfolio to maximise support and increase income.

In undertaking this work, you will always need to be one step ahead with excellent customer service skills. You will be organised and have proven project management skills, confident in solving problems, ability to deliver on KPI’s and take a creative and collaborative approach to deliver outstanding events.

Key Responsibilities 

Event Planning & Development 

• Support the management and delivery of a programme of special events across the UK.
• Collaboratively research and identify new event opportunities.
• Support the development and delivery of opportunities for corporate engagement and sponsorship.
• Identify opportunities to cross‑sell other projects and income‑generation initiatives at events where appropriate.

Financial Management & Performance 

• Assist with producing information required for budgets and event plans.
• Support the achievement of financial and non‑financial targets.
• Develop a network of leads able to provide gifts in kind to help reduce event expenditure.

Event Delivery & On-the-Day Support

• Attend events and support the Senior Events Fundraiser with on‑the‑day coordination and delivery.

Stakeholder, Supporter & Volunteer Engagement 

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with internal teams and contribute to the development of the supporter stewardship journey.
• Cultivate, steward and recruit new and existing supporters and volunteers to participate in a range of events.
• Arrange and deliver tours of Ronald McDonald Houses for existing and prospective donors.

Marketing, Communications & Representation 

• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications team to produce appropriate fundraising materials and maximise public relations opportunities.
• Represent Ronald McDonald House Charities UK at fundraising meetings and presentations as required.

Data Management, Reporting & Insights

• Manage and record event communications and information, including income and expenditure.
• Contribute to reports, data analysis and trend monitoring using database reporting.
• Identify issues, suggest solutions and support continuous improvement of events activity.

Skills & Experience 

• Experience working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, building strong and effective relationships
• Strong customer service, communication and presentation skills
• Well organised, with strong planning skills and attention to detail
• Able to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Experience supporting or working within a fundraising team (desirable)
• Confident developing and managing sensitive or complex relationships
• Proactive and creative approach to fundraising and problem‑solving
• Skilled in networking, negotiation and decision‑making
• Good numeracy skills, with the ability to analyse and report on financial performance
• Experience assessing and managing financial, marketing and reputational risk (desirable)
• Competent in MS Office and the use of databases to manage information
• Full driving licence (desirable)

CEO

• Salary for FTE: £62,000 - £75,000 dependant on experience
• 38 hours a week over 5 days (flexibility for right candidate)
• Home-based with travel for events and meetings

Reporting into the Board of Trustees, we are seeking an inspirational CEO for the PDA Society, who can lead with humility and curiosity, empowering and supporting our staff along the journey. They will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the charity and its staff and volunteers, and will oversee the development of our training products, research and support services, whilst ensuring sustainable growth in impact and income.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a trusted enterprise within the PDA community with a strong mission and a committed, values driven team. The successful candidate will be passionate about improving the lives of PDAers and their families. You will be energetic, creative and bring new ideas for enhancing the charity’s reputation, through nurturing existing relationships and developing new ones to achieve the charities goals. Our ideal candidate will have lived experience of autism, PDA or other neurodivergence although this is not essential.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on 22nd April 2026

Interviews with Trustees:  April / May 2026

Head of Principal Gifts
Employer: University of Manchester
Salary: £59,966 to £71,566, depending on experience with scope to go beyond for an exceptional candidate
Location: Hybrid working, Manchester

We are looking for our new Head of Principal Gifts to work with our highest level of donors, securing principal gifts in support of the University of Manchester's key priorities - gifts that are truly transformational and enable us to tackle some of the world's greatest challenges.

We're taking our big gift fundraising to the next level with the launch of a dedicated Principal Gifts programme, and we're looking for someone to play a key role in shaping that transformation, building deep, lasting relationships with top-level donors in the UK and internationally.

With our inspirational new strategy in place and our first-ever university-wide philanthropic campaign, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED, launched in November 2025, this is a pivotal moment for Manchester and for your career.

Reporting to the Deputy Director, Principal Gifts, you'll be joining a brilliant, values-driven team with a fantastic pipeline of prospects, strong existing relationships, and academics who are fully engaged in what we're building together.

Great things happen at The University of Manchester every day - from finding new treatments for cancer and discovering wonder materials like Nobel Prize-winning graphene, to providing life-changing scholarships and influencing government policy to help the world's poorest people. This is the work your fundraising will make possible.

If you're a major gifts or big gift fundraiser ready to make your mark at a world-renowned institution and take that next career-defining step, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 20 April 2026

Interested?

Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.

The University of Manchester is partnering with Constellate Global Talent on this search. No agencies please.

Lightbox Gallery & Museum is entering an ambitious new phase as we prepare for our 20th anniversary in 2027. This role offers an exciting opportunity for an experienced and initiative-taking fundraiser to help shape the organisation’s future by developing new income streams and leading our anniversary campaign, Lightbox20.

You will take ownership of the campaign activity across the organisation - developing strategy, building relationships with donors and partners, and delivering income to agreed targets. At the same time, you will manage the practical detail that underpins successful fundraising, including stewardship and our CRM system.

Key priorities are developing and delivering the Big Give campaign this year, capital fundraising for the garden and our 20th anniversary Lightbox 20.  

This role will suit someone who thrives in a small organisation, understands the unique challenges and opportunity this brings and who is self-motivated to build an ambitious campaign from the ground up. The successful appointee will combine strategic thinking with direct delivery, collaborating closely with the Director and Trustees to secure the next chapter of Lightbox Gallery’s success.

Headway North Staffordshirte is the county's leading provider of rehabilitation and outreach services to people affected by acquired brain injury. We deliver services and projects with high impact that are attractive to funders and truly make a difference to our service users' quality of life.

Our new Grant Fundraiser (Trusts and Corporates) will research, write and submit high-quality, well presented, well-reasoned grant applications, working to secure major gifts for capital and revenue projects from grants and foundations, major donor and corporate bodies in order to achieve fundraising targets.

You will also nurture relationships with existing and new grant funders, build connections with businesses and community organisations to explore sponsorship, collaboration, and partnership opportunities.

Our new Grant Fundraiser will also contributing positively as a member of the broader Leadership Team.

This is a 21 hour per week post; exact working hours are negotiable / flexible.

Please apply via the charity's website, the closing date is Friday 01 May 2026, interview dates 11th and 12th May, prospective second interview date 18th May.

The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) is a family of 23 independent schools and two academies, united by a shared mission to help girls learn without limits, so they go on to lead lives without limits. As pioneers in girls’ education, we are proud of our heritage and ambitious for our future. To fulfil our public purpose of reaching as many girls as possible, we have an ambitious fundraising strategy, focused on transformational bursaries and innovative learning, enabling girls from a wide range of financial backgrounds to access a GDST education.

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Philanthropy Operations to lead the systems, processes and insight that underpin philanthropic income generation and supporter engagement across the GDST and its family of schools.

This is a key leadership role within the Philanthropy and Partnerships team. Working closely with the Deputy Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, you will provide strategic leadership for the operational infrastructure that enables fundraising and alumnae engagement to grow in a coordinated, compliant and sustainable way. You will play a central role in strengthening how data, systems and operational support are used to help colleagues across the Trust Office and schools deliver excellent fundraising and stewardship activity.

What you’ll be doing

In this role, you will lead the operational strategy that supports philanthropy and alumnae engagement across the GDST, ensuring the systems, processes and reporting that underpin fundraising are effective, compliant and built for sustainable growth. You will lead CRM, data and performance insight to strengthen decision-making, pipeline development, donor stewardship and long-term relationship management across the GDST network.

You will also oversee core fundraising operations, provide high-quality reporting to senior leaders and Trustees, and lead a small team to deliver strong operational support across the GDST. Alongside this, you will help equip colleagues across schools and the Trust Office with the tools, guidance and insight they need to strengthen fundraising and supporter engagement.

What skills and experience you’ll bring to the role

• Significant experience in philanthropy or fundraising operations leadership, with a strong track record of leading systems, processes and operational improvement in a complex organisation
• Substantial experience of CRM management, data analysis and fundraising reporting, with the ability to translate insight into clear strategic recommendations and practical action
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively while maintaining close attention to detail
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work closely with senior stakeholders, including executive leaders and Trustees, and to build trusted relationships across a network of schools and central teams
• Experience of leading and developing teams, alongside a good understanding of fundraising regulation, compliance and data protection
• A combination of strategic thinking and operational rigour, with a clear motivation to help create greater access, opportunity and impact through philanthropy at the GDST.

Why join us?

As part of the GDST, the UK's leading network of independent girls' schools, we can offer a variety of benefits, such as:

• Competitive salaries and pay progression
• Access to extensive professional development opportunities
• Training grants for qualifications
• A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools
• Generous pension schemes
• Free life assurance benefit
• Interest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans
• A Cycle to Work scheme
• Competitive terms and conditions of employment

There are many other good reasons to work with us. Each of our schools and our Trust Office has its own sense of community, and you’ll be part of it. You’ll be in the company of some of the best and brightest people in independent education. Most importantly, no matter what your role, you’ll be playing a major part in the highly regarded education we give our girls.

For further details and to apply please click the apply button.

Closing date: 30th April 2026 at 10:00 AM.

The Girls’ Day School Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection checks appropriate to the post, including online searches and checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Individual Giving Lead When You Wish Upon a Star | £30,000–£35,000 | Nottingham / Hybrid | Permanent 

Some roles are defined before you arrive. This one is defined by you. 

When You Wish Upon a Star grants life-changing wishes for children with terminal and life-threatening illnesses. Every wish is a memory that lasts a lifetime for a family facing the unimaginable. The cause is immediate, emotionally powerful and directly translatable into the kind of impact that makes supporters proud to be involved. 

We are looking for someone to develop and lead our individual giving function. You will shape the strategy, grow and steward our community of individual supporters, and define what this looks like for Wish. You will have the full backing of the CEO and board, direct access to senior leadership, and the freedom to bring your own thinking, creativity and ambition to a function that is yours to build.

If that sounds like the role you have been waiting for, we would love to hear from you.

What you will be doing 

You will identify, engage and grow a community of individual supporters who feel deeply connected to our mission, developing propositions and campaigns that are emotionally compelling and inspire long-term giving. You will represent Wish confidently, create the systems and supporter journeys that enable sustainable growth, and lay the foundations for an individual giving programme that grows in both income and impact. As income grows, so does the role. The expectation is that this person builds not just a strong base of individual supporters but, in time, a team around it. 

You will work closely with the Head of Income Generation and Board, with realistic targets in the early stages that give you the time and space to build meaningful relationships rather than focus on short-term gains. This is not a role where you will be left to figure it out alone. It is one where your ideas are valued, your judgement is trusted, and your ambition is actively supported. 

What you will bring 

Experience developing, growing or significantly influencing individual giving income streams, including regular giving and lottery programmes, and engaging supporters at scale to inspire long-term and higher-value giving. Experience of managing the end-to-end supporter journey through CRM systems, using insight and data to drive acquisition, retention and growth. 

A strong instinct for understanding what motivates people to give, and the ability to turn that insight into campaigns and experiences that feel personal, compelling and effective. Comfort with ownership, and the confidence to create momentum and build something from the ground up. 

What we offer 

We know what we are asking of you and we have built a package to reflect it. 

• £30,000–£35,000, reviewed as the function grows 

• 25 days holiday rising to 30 with service, plus 3 days at Christmas not taken from your allowance 

• 2 Wish Maker days each year to make your own wishes come true 

• 6 months full maternity pay 

• Full sick pay from day one 

• Flexible working with full trust over how you structure your hours 

• A culture built on genuine care for the people who work here 

How to apply 

We invite you to explore our recruitment pack for more information on the role and how to apply. 

Prospectus are pleased to be partnering with our client in their search for a Head of Development. 

The organisation is an orchestra with a worldwide reputation for excellence in baroque and classical music. Using historically informed techniques, period-specific instruments and original sources, they bring music vividly to life in committed, vibrant performances.

Established in 1973 by Christopher Hogwood to make the first British recordings of orchestral works using original instruments, AAM has released more than 300 albums to date, collecting countless accolades including Classic BRIT, Gramophone and Edison awards.

This is a permanent role paying a salary of circa £55,000 per annum, depending on experience. The postholder will be working in a hybrid model from their offices in Cambridge. This is a full-time role however part-time hours will be considered for the right candidate.

As the Head of Development, you will be working closely with the Chief Executive to develop AAM’s fundraising strategy and lead on fundraising campaigns. You will manage and develop the charity’s membership schemes, including stewardship of existing supporters. You will also lead on researching and writing trust and foundation applications for a range of projects.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in a senior fundraising role, with a track record of stewarding relationships with high-net-worth individuals and planning campaigns. You will have demonstrable experience in cultivating relationships with trusts and foundations. AAM are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to build long-term, positive relationships with existing and potential donors.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact Ariha Semontee at Prospectus.
 
If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you.
 
In order to apply please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will arrange for a meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.
 

My Sisters’ House is expanding its fundraising team — and we’re looking for a dynamic, creative and relationship‑driven fundraiser who can help take our income generation to the next level. If you love building connections, crafting compelling stories and spotting opportunities others miss, this role will give you the space to thrive.

What you’ll do

You’ll lead the growth of our individual giving and high‑value supporter base, nurturing relationships with donors, partners and philanthropists who want to make a tangible difference. You’ll shape engaging fundraising appeals, deliver standout donor experiences and bring fresh ideas that cut through a challenging fundraising landscape.

You’ll also help develop new income streams — from local businesses to female‑led enterprises — and work closely with colleagues to strengthen donor journeys and build a confident, ambitious fundraising culture.

What you’ll bring

You’re a natural communicator with a flair for storytelling and a sharp eye for opportunity. You’re organised, proactive and energised by a busy, varied workload. You enjoy thinking creatively, writing persuasively and turning insight into action. Above all, you’re motivated by the impact your work can have on women facing trauma, abuse and disadvantage.

Why join us?

You’ll be part of a small, passionate and supportive team with big ambitions. You’ll have room to innovate, freedom to shape your approach and the chance to grow your skills across individual giving, corporate partnerships and high‑value fundraising. With strong foundations already in place — and a growing network of committed supporters — you’ll be joining at a genuinely exciting moment.

Flexible working is essential, with occasional evenings and weekends. The role requires a DBS check

HEAD OF RETENTION & DEVELOPMENT

Senior supporter retention and donor development role with individuals, churches and charitable trusts at Christian charity Embrace the Middle East.

Why work for Embrace the Middle East?

• Hybrid role: High Wycombe (minimum onsite twice a month)
• 10% employer pension contribution
• 24 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, increasing to 25 days after 5 years and 26 days after 10 years. Plus 3 days between Christmas and New Year.
• Life Assurance: 3× salary
• Flexi-time and home-working options
• Employee Assistance Programme (confidential counselling, legal and financial advice, available 24/7)
• Access to retail discount portal
• Training and development programme
• A values-led team committed to mission, integrity, and compassion

About the Role

Working with the Director of Fundraising and Communications, you will lead the development and delivery of Embrace’s supporter retention and donor development strategy, building deep and lasting relationships with individuals, churches, and communities. You’ll be responsible for shaping the full supporter lifecycle, from onboarding and ongoing relationship building to reactivation, cross-engagement, and long-term value growth. This is a role that blends strategy, creativity, and data insight, requiring someone who can hold the big picture while empowering a diverse team of fundraising and subject matter experts.

You’ll have:

• Proven experience in supporter engagement, donor retention, and income growth strategies.
• Strong analytical skills, experience using data for segmentation, trend analysis,
• and performance optimisation.
• Strategic thinking, with the ability to innovate and diversify income streams.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with an ability to lead and develop high‑performing teams in hybrid/remote settings.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects from planning to delivery.
• Knowledge of UK fundraising regulations, GDPR, and ethical practice.

Role Requirements

• Commitment to Embrace’s Christian mission and values (as a practising Christian or someone supportive of our ethos).
• Willingness to travel occasionally to the Middle East (every 2–3 years).
• Right to work in the UK.

About Embrace the Middle East

At Embrace the Middle East, we believe in hope, dignity, and partnership. For over 170 years, we’ve worked with local Christian partners to bring healthcare, education, and opportunity to vulnerable and marginalised communities.

We are strengthening our marketing to deepen engagement and expand our supporter base. We are now seeking an experienced, visionary Head of Marketing & Acquisition to lead multi‑channel supporter and donor growth, build a digital‑first marketing strategy, and drive sustainable organisational impact.

Embrace the Middle East is committed to equal opportunities and to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief. If you require adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know in your online response.

The successful candidate will be required to complete a medical questionnaire and undertake a disclosure check as part of our safer recruitment policy.

For an informal chat to ask any questions, please contact Nick Thomas, Senior Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Please apply through the Charisma Charity Recruitment website with your CV and supporting statement.

Key dates:

Closing date: Tuesday 28th April 2026

Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by: Tuesday 5th May 2026

Interviews with Embrace the Middle East: w/c 11th May 2026

Please refer to the candidate pack for more comprehensive information.

Trusts and Foundations Manager
Permanent | Full time
Ideally 1 or 2 days a week in either in Coventry or Middlesbrough
circa £38,000 - £45.000 per annum

Are you an experienced trusts & foundations fundraiser looking to join a much loved charity which supports babies and young children who have life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

Aquilas is delighted to be supporting Zoe’s Place in the appointment of a new Trusts and Foundations Manager, a key role at an exciting time of growth for the charity.

About the charity

Zoe’s Place is the only baby specific hospice charity in the UK, providing specialist palliative, respite and end of life care for children aged 0 to 5 with life limiting and life-threatening conditions. They offer a safe, nurturing and joyful environment where families can feel completely supported. With their dedicated nurses delivering 24-hour care, they work together to make every moment of childhood count.

About the role:

Supporting the delivery of Zoe’s Place overall income generation strategy, by researching, record keeping, applying and reporting to a portfolio of trusts and foundations to deliver long term sustainable income growth for the Trust. Overall accountability for capital projects across the Trust

Key Responsibilities:

Account manage the trust and foundations fundraising function   

• Contribute to the maintenance of a comprehensive database for both hospice sites of all relevant grant making trusts and keep up to date with changes in the sector.
• Develop and write applications and bids to a wide range of funders as required.
• Work collaboratively with the Head of Fundraising and fundraising colleagues to ensure all funding opportunities are maximised
• Manage and develop relationships with new and existing funding partners.
• Work collaboratively with Director of Clinical Services, clinical teams and finance to prepare bids and reports.
• Ensure funding partners receive timely and appropriate information about the progress and outcomes of projects including written reports and evaluation in accordance with requirement.
• Responsible for delivery of income targets.
• Ensure excellent relationships are maintained with current, past and prospective funders so the Zoes Place Trust name is associated with honesty and high standards of service delivery.
• Organise visits and tours for trustees of charitable foundations if requested to both Middlesbrough and Coventry sites.

 Administration and pipeline

• Use our fundraising CRM and in line with GDPR to ensure accurate and timely record keeping allowing for good stewardship.
• Carry out detailed research on prospective foundations, identify and maintain a calendar for submitting applications.
• Working with an income pipeline / tracker to ensure accurate and timely financial forecasting, identifying risk to income and mitigating accordingly.
• Ensure activities comply with current law, guidance and best practice of the Fundraising Regulator

Person Specication:

• strong track record 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

To Apply:

To receive a candidate pack or arrange a confidential conversation, please contact:

Kieran McGorrian, Head of Not for Profit Appointments, Aquilas (contact details in candidate pack)

Applications close 5pm Monday 20th April

Aquilas are wholly committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and we warmly welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates.  We are truly invested in our candidates and being supportive and informative throughout the application journey

We will transform Benton End into a vibrant, accessible and sustainable arts and learning centre, reimagining the radical spirit of Sir Cedric Morris and Arthur Lett-Haines’s art school and garden legacy.

This commission covers the Development Phase of a Heritage Fund-supported capital project and the period during which the Delivery Phase application is being assessed. The Fundraiser will collaborate closely with the client team, project manager and stakeholders throughout.

The redevelopment of Benton End seeks to:  

• Conserve and restore the Grade II* listed house and associated gardens structures  
• Create inclusive and accessible facilities for learning, exhibitions, and residencies  
• Respect and celebrate the site’s layered heritage, including its significance in queer history  
• Embed sustainability and environmental responsibility in all design choices  
• Enable operational and financial sustainability through a mixed-use business model

The fundraising consultant will be responsible for raising a total of £2.7m by December 2027. This comprises £1.8m in gifts or pledges in order to match-fund The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Delivery Phase grant of £2.65m; and the remainder to support additional output costs at Benton End.

The consultant will be expected to lead on the following areas:

• Review the Fundraising process for the Development Phase of the project in partnership with the client team
• Review the existing Fundraising Strategy submitted to the Heritage Fund (see tender pack)
• Re-develop, update and deliver a comprehensive Fundraising Strategy to achieve the necessary match funding for the Delivery Phase of the project including phased targets, pipeline planning, and approach methodology
• Identify potential funding sources, including charitable trusts and foundations, major individual donors, philanthropic legacy leads (including those with interests in art, horticulture, LGBTQIA+ causes, and regional heritage), corporate supporters and in-kind contributors
• Cross check all potential funding sources and potential prospects with the client team, paying particular attention to the Garden Museum’s other fundraising programmes, existing funders and live/upcoming campaigns
• Produce a detailed fundraising plan with goals, milestones, specific targets and details of which funding sources will be approached at each stage of the campaign
• Support cultivation of key prospects, including advising on pitches, proposals, and relationship management and leading these where appropriate
• Develop a 'Case for Support' and campaign materials tailored to different audiences
• Work with the client team to ensure fundraising aligns with Heritage Fund Delivery Phase submission (August 2027), Activity and Interpretation Plans and capital delivery timelines and cash flow needs
• Provide reports on all fundraising activity and data collected, in formats that are compatible with the client team’s CRM
• Support the implementation of the live campaign: tracking targets, overseeing donor communications, and managing asks

The selected consultant should have:

• A strong track record of raising capital funds in the arts, culture, or heritage sector
• Experience working with national funders (e.g. trusts/foundations, High Net Worth Individuals, and corporates)
• Knowledge of Heritage Fund processes and expectations
• Experience in creating compelling cases for support, particularly for multidisciplinary projects (art, heritage, gardens, LGBTQIA+ history)
• Sensitivity to inclusive fundraising and community engagement
• Strategic thinking with a collaborative and proactive working style

The budget for the fundraising consultant's fee is a maximum of £36,000 excl VAT, to include all travel and expenses and with an expectation that the consultant will be on site regularly at Benton End, Hadleigh, Suffolk.

This consultant will report into the Project Manager, but will also work very closely with the Garden Museum Development Director and the Benton End Board.

This opportunity is made possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players.

Application requirements:

Please supply the following by 5pm on Tuesday 5 May 2026:

• Proven examples of recent, similar work at an equivalent level of project value and heritage significance
• CV demonstrating relevant experience and examples of previous projects – if more than one consultant then CVs and highlighted experience of each team member
• Fee proposal 
• Outline methodology and approach
• At least two references from comparable heritage or arts capital project
• Confirmation of insurance (minimum £ 1million Professional Indemnity and £1 million Public Liability insurance, and £1 million Employers Liability cover (if applicable), or ability and willingness to obtain)

Clarifying questions should be sent by 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026.