Major donors fundraiser jobs

Derby Cathedral is seeking a Strategic Fundraiser to join our collaborative and committed team at a pivotal moment in our history. With the Cathedral’s centenary approaching in 2027, this is an exciting time to help shape our future.

We are looking for a proactive individual with a ‘can do’ attitude to lead fundraising efforts, working closely with the Senior Management Team to secure essential financial support and drive long-term sustainability.

As part of the Senior Management Team, you will design and deliver innovative campaigns, events, and initiatives aligned with our Strategic Development Plan and vision for financial resilience.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a passionate and dedicated team, playing a key role in shaping the future of one of Derby’s most iconic Grade I listed landmarks.

With both operational and strategic objectives for this post, we are seeking someone with a 'can do' attitude who is passionate about making a difference in our communities we serve.  The sucessful individual will work with stakholders, both internal and external and have a strong collborative attitude, as well as working with the values of both the Cathedral and Church of England. 

Recently successful with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Chapter, the Cathedral's governing body, is entering into a new phase of creating financial resilience and long term sustainability.  This post will play a pivotol role in shaping the future of our Grade 1 historic building.

Job Title: Senior Trusts and Foundations Manager

Salary: £40,000 - £44,000

Contract: Permanent, full-time – 37.5 hours per week

Location: Hybrid, with at least two days a week working from Power2’s office in Manchester or London

Annual Leave: 25 days paid holiday each year

Power2 is a fast growing and energetic children and young people's charity that has supported 27,000 young people since 2001. We are based in the North West of England and London and deliver early-intervention asset-based programmes to children and young people who have mental wellbeing challenges and are disengaged from school and more widely. We are well-known for our accredited Teens and Toddlers programme and are supporting young people via Power2 Rediscover, an intensive 1:1 crisis response programme. Our Power2 Thrive programme focuses on improving mental wellbeing.

With our support, children and young people who are experiencing vulnerabilities and disadvantages improve their wellbeing, re-engage with school and learning, build networks and access opportunities.

We’re committed to equality and operate within a culture and structure that recognises diversity and strives to be fair. We live by our values of Brave, Expert and Passionate and we aim to have an entrepreneurial and flexible approach to work.

We are seeking an experienced Trusts and Foundations fundraiser to join our team at Power2, a fast growing and energetic youth charity.

You will lead on fundraising from Trusts and Foundations and be responsible for relationships, applications and reporting to major Trust and Foundation funders. You’ll lead internal processes for prospect research and have oversight of a growing portfolio of potential and existing donors. You will ensure a consistent pipeline of applications to meet your performance indicators and collate information from across the organisation to produce funder reports.

 You will have significant and demonstrable experience of fundraising from major Trusts and Foundations. You will have excellent project management skills, be skilled at writing compelling funding bids, be highly numerate and a great team player and collaborator. Previous experience or interest in the youth or education charity sector would be an advantage.

We operate hybrid working, and this role can be based at either our North-West (Ashton-under-Lyne) or London office, with at least two days working in the office per week. We offer flexibility as to when the role’s hours are worked, and exact working patterns can be discussed at interview.

Your expression of interest should be no longer than two pages of A4 and must cover:

· Where you are based

· How your skills and experience match the person specification

· What makes you the right person for the role.

Your CV and personal statement are submitted on the second page of the application process. Applications without a personal statement will not be considered.

Interviews will be held on 9 and 10 October 2025.

The successful applicants will be required to undergo and secure an enhanced DBS check (child workforce) and provide details of two referees.

Z2K is a small but fearless anti-poverty charity. We combine frontline advice with bold influencing to tackle the systems that drive poverty - and we’re recruiting our first Major Donor & Corporate Lead.

You’ll lead on building and delivering our strategy for major donors and corporates, cultivating long-term partnerships rooted in shared values. Working closely with our Chief Executive, senior leadership team and trustees on major donor and corporate fundraising, and with our Communications Lead on fundraising communications and campaigns, you’ll shape compelling approaches to inspire support. You’ll also line manage our Fundraising Officer (grant funding & events), helping diversify Z2K’s income to change lives and challenge injustice. This is a hands-on role with plenty of scope to shape your approach. You’ll lead on identifying new prospects, crafting compelling proposals, and making the case for support to a wide range of external audiences. 

You’re a strategic relationship-builder who thrives on finding and forging connections that deliver lasting impact. You bring a track record of securing income from major donors and corporates, whether in the charity sector as through a business development function in the private sector. You know that successful fundraising starts with research, curiosity, and consistent cultivation. You’re confident identifying new prospects, opening doors, and developing tailored approaches that speak to both hearts and minds.

You’ll be part of a collaborative, values-led team, and your work will directly contribute to our ability to improve lives and push for systemic change.

You will benefit from 31 days annual leave + bank holidays, enhanced sick and parental leave, matched pension up to 5%, income protection, life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Programme.

Prospectus is working with our client to recruit a Major Donor Manager. The charity has a trusted presence in communities across the country, offering practical and emotional support to some of the most vulnerable people in society.

​​​​​​​Their mission is to offer hope, dignity, and opportunity for all.
 
The charity is seeking an experienced Major Donor Fundraiser to help grow support from High Net Worth Individuals and build a strong pipeline of donors. This role will focus on expanding and leveraging major donor networks, cultivating long-term relationships, and securing significant income to support the organisation’s mission. You will proactively generate new leads while contributing to wider team growth.

Salary: £33,513 to £37,725 (pay band 05)
Hybrid working: 2 days in the London headquarters

The successful candidate will bring a proven track record of building strong, lasting donor relationships and of securing significant gifts. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to make successful asks and open new networks. This is an exciting opportunity to join a top ten UK charity at a time of expansion, making a real difference to those most in need.
 
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 Jessica Stoddart 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.
     
At Prospectus, we’re committed to supporting you through every step of your application. To start, please send us your CV. If your experience is a good fit, we’ll share the full job description and arrange a call to brief you before you formally apply. We look forward to hearing from you.

WCCM seeks to appoint an experienced, creative, and highly motivated Grant and Major Donor Fundraising Manager to lead fundraising and grant management across a global organisation dedicated to the teaching of Christian Meditation. Working to the Executive Director, you will interact with our decentralised finance, marketing and communications staff and volunteers.  Together, you will nurture Major Donor relationships and create and manage appropriate donor stewardship schemes and rationalise our income streams. You’ll ensure grant reporting and management is kept on track whilst developing targeted proposals for new funding from sympathetic donors in the arena of Trusts and foundations.  You will work to support both our teaching and resourcing of meditation and the running of our retreat centre in Bonnevaux, near Poitiers in France. An excellent writer with excellent financial and budgeting skills, you will be adept at pulling together relevant, succinct and compelling information for our donor reports and bids. You’ll work with communications staff to develop impactful donor communications which enhance our accountability and inspire renewed major donations.  You will have a demonstrable track record in winning grants as well as in the stewardship of major donors.  Occasional trips to France. Interest in Christian Meditation/Spirituality an advantage.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced fundraiser to help us increase our income from mid-level and major donors, trusts and foundations, and legacies.

This is an exciting time to join our charity, Cambridge is changing rapidly, and we are working hard to tackle issues such as the loss of nature, climate change and access to green space. We have inspiring new projects to expand habitats and green spaces on the Gog Magog Hills, to create a new wetland at our Coton Reserve, to plant trees and woodlands and to save one of Cambridge’s oldest buildings. Right now, the work of our charity is needed more than ever before, and we need the financial resources to be able to step up and make even more of a difference.

Committed to our causes, you will use your donor cultivation skills to strengthen existing relationships and use your research and networking skills to identify and cultivate new opportunities. Your excellent written and development skills will enable you to work with colleagues to turn their visions into compelling proposals for funders and our wider support base. Your knowledge of fundraising best practice will ensure that we deliver an excellent donor experience.
You will be an effective worker with an eye for detail who can use your experience to fulfil the administrative and reporting requirements of the funds you are helping to raise.
You will work alongside our Membership & Communications Manager and have some support from our Administrative Assistant. You will also be supported in your work by the CEO, trustees, volunteers, and external contractors.
You will be part of a friendly and committed management team where you can make a difference, and your work will have an impact.
Our office is in an 18th century building overlooking the beautiful Wandlebury estate. Wandlebury is located on top of the Gog Magog Hills just south of Cambridge.

Role Overview:
The Talent Set is working with a leading charity to recruit a Major Donor Manager on a 12-month fixed-term contract.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced major gifts fundraiser to lead and grow a well-established programme. The successful candidate will take ownership of strategy, personally cultivate and secure high-value gifts, and provide leadership to a small team. The role also offers the chance to work closely with senior stakeholders and play a key part in driving forward long-term philanthropic support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Personally cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals to secure gifts of £50k+
• Lead the major donor team to prioritise new business opportunities and manage a robust prospect pipeline
• Design and deliver tailored supporter journeys through an effective moves-management process
• Collaborate with colleagues to create innovative donor engagement products and events
• Leverage existing donor networks to identify and secure new prospects
• Monitor activity and track progress using the fundraising database
• Manage and grow a personal portfolio of active major donors, ensuring multi-year commitments are secured
• Provide oversight and guidance to direct reports on their donor portfolios
• Inspire and influence donors through compelling proposals and presentations
• Deliver accurate and timely reports, impact updates, and stewardship materials
• Line-manage a small team, offering coaching, support, and clear direction
• Foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and accountability within the team
• Work with senior leaders and Trustees to strengthen donor engagement
• Represent at high-profile meetings and events to build networks
• Support cross-team fundraising campaigns and appeals
• Organise and attend donor visits, including project-related travel where required
• Ensure data is accurately recorded and communications are logged
• Produce monthly activity, financial, and KPI reports for senior stakeholders
• Stay informed of sector trends, regulatory requirements, and developments in philanthropy
• Supervise and support volunteers as required

Person Specification:

• Proven track record of securing significant donations from new major donors
• Strong experience in stewarding and upgrading existing donor relationships
• Demonstrable success in developing innovative donor engagement approaches and pitches
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and inspire at all levels
• Skilled at working alongside senior leaders and Trustees in a leadership-led fundraising model
• Experience in managing and motivating staff, fostering innovation and achieving team objectives
• Strong financial acumen, with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and analysing performance
• Ability to problem-solve and drive improvements in working practices

What’s on Offer:

• A 12-month contract within a fantastic organisation that does amazing work.
• Hybrid working with 2 days per week in the Central London office.
• A salary of up to £47,000 for the successful candidate.

How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the “apply now” button (please do not apply via email).

We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 72 working hours. Please note you must live and have the right to work in the UK as sponsorship cannot be offered.

Commitment to Diversity:
The Talent Set and our partner organisation are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, sexual orientation, disability, age, or gender. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation was founded in 2009 after Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend were attacked because of their alternative appearance. Sophie later died from her injuries. The Foundation was created by Sophie’s mother Sylvia to address prejudice against alternative subcultures and to promote understanding and tolerance through education, advocacy and policy work.

Although a small organisation, we have big impact and reach. We advocate for the alternative community through policy and campaigning work and provide support following hate crime. And we also run workshops aimed at reducing discrimination and challenging stereotypes. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for a Fundraiser to help secure the charity’s financial stability and support its growth.

The role involves creating a fundraising function from the bottom up and then developing and implementing a fundraising strategy. Diverse income streams to be targeted include corporate partnerships, individual donors, grants and foundations, events and digital campaigns. You’ll work closely with the team, CEO and Trustees to ensure fundraising activities align with our clear objectives.

Responsible for creating and delivering a fundraising plan that meets income targets, you’ll identify funding opportunities that align with our mission. This includes researching grants, preparing applications, managing funder relationships and reporting. Building donor engagement through regular giving, legacy programmes and other initiatives will also be part of the role.

Maintaining accurate, GDPR-compliant records of fundraising activities and donor data is essential. You’ll also prepare reports for internal use and external stakeholders.

We’re looking for someone with proven fundraising experience in the nonprofit sector who has a track record of securing income from grants, donors, events or corporate partnerships. Strong written communication skills and the ability to work independently and meet deadlines are important. You’ll relish involvement at every level, whether it be leading meetings with high value funders or thanking supporters for their incredible achievements. A commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential.

Joining us means contributing to a charity focused on challenging prejudice and supporting marginalised groups. You’ll work in a collaborative environment with access to senior leadership and the opportunity to influence the charity’s future.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds, especially from those who have experienced discrimination or come from underrepresented communities. This is an opportunity to support important work promoting social inclusion.

The Talent Set is thrilled to be partnering with our sector leading client on an exceptional opportunity for a Senior Philanthropy Manager. This pivotal role will spearhead the expansion of their major donor portfolio, driving strategic donor engagement, cultivating new relationships, and mentoring a high-performing team as they transition to a more proactive philanthropy model.

We’re seeking a dynamic major donor fundraiser leader with a proven ability to grow donor portfolios, navigate change, and inspire teams—someone who thrives on building meaningful connections and delivering measurable impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and nurture relationships with major donors, identifying new prospects and deepening existing partnerships
• Lead the creation and execution of strategic fundraising plans in collaboration with the wider team
• Analyse donor data and giving trends to refine approaches and maximise results
• Deliver clear, insightful reporting to senior leadership, ensuring transparency and accountability
• Manage and coach a high-performing team, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation

Person Specification

• Demonstrated success in expanding major donor portfolios through creative and persistent strategies with the ability to manage a team to success
• Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills across diverse stakeholder groups
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into action
• Adaptable, self-motivated, and collaborative—comfortable working both independently and within a team

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary: £60,000
• Flexible hybrid working: 2–3 days per week in the office or attending donor meetings
• Part time and compressed working options available

How to apply
To apply, please submit your CV via the 'Apply Now' button. Kindly note that applications via email will not be considered. We aim to respond to successful candidates within 48 working hours.

Commitment to Diversity
The Talent Set is dedicated to inclusive recruitment practices and ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants—regardless of race, sexual orientation, disability, age, or gender. We warmly welcome candidates from all backgrounds and are happy to make reasonable adjustments to support a fair and accessible recruitment process.

Community Fundraiser - Home Counties

​

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research? ​

Brain Tumour Research is seeking an experienced and motivated fundraiser to join our team. As a key part of our fundraising efforts in our high-performing East region, you will have the opportunity to drive income generation through a variety of initiatives, including challenge events, fundraising groups, and corporate partnerships such as charity of the year. You will also be responsible for driving initiatives to increase our profile and supporter base within Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Essex. 

​​

Key Responsibilities: ​

• ​Generate income across a range of community fundraising initiatives and events, with the opportunity to lead on key projects 
• Steward supporters to help drive the charity’s fundraising activities and growth 
• ​Work with the fundraising team to develop and maintain strong relationships with fundraisers, donors, partners, and key stakeholders ​
• Contribute towards the growth and success of fundraising efforts, ensuring a sustainable income stream for the vital ongoing funding of brain tumour research ​

​

Requirements: ​​

• At least one year of fundraising experience, with a proven track record in income generation 
• Strong experience in supporter stewardship  
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire supporters and partners alike ​
• Passion for Brain Tumour Research and its mission to fund research and ultimately find a cure 

​

If you are looking for a fulfilling and impactful role and have the level of experience and skill we are looking for, we welcome your application.

​

​

​We will give preference to those candidates living in the Bucks, Beds and Northants areas of this region.​​​

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

Closing Date: 26th September 2025

​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

​

Donor Engagement Manager

Location:  London

Hiring range:  46,000 – 55,000 GBP per year

Staff work a hybrid schedule with 2 days/week in the office

Founded in 1969, IFAW is a global nonprofit with a goal of animals and people thriving together. With 50+ years of expertise in conservation and rescue, and projects in more than 40 countries and international waters, IFAW strives to improve the lives of animals and people and to protect our shared home.

The Donor Engagement Manager is responsible for communicating IFAW’s vision, strategy, and impact to inspire significant philanthropic commitments for IFAW's work from high-net-worth individuals and family foundations. By spearheading best-in-class donor communications, engagement, and stewardship, this role serves an essential function: developing and building IFAW’s reputation to position IFAW as a top charity worthy of significant donations. The Donor Engagement Manager plays a key role in improving the HNW donor journey and achieving our fundraising goals for enhanced programmatic impact globally in conservation, rescue, and policy.

Role and Responsibilities

The Donor Engagement Manager is an integral component of IFAW’s global Development team. Reporting to the Deputy Vice President, Development, the Donor Engagement Manager leads a robust donor communications, engagement, and stewardship program for high-net-worth (HNW) individuals, spearheading the development of strategy and plans, and supervising a team of contractors and freelancers for project implementation. The successful candidate will contribute to the attainment of ambitious growth goals (including current use, endowments, and significant gifts in will), by inspiring donors’ philanthropic support and leading the creation and implementation of a suite of donor communications and experiences.

Critical responsibilities include:

Create dynamic donor engagement plan

· Spearhead donor engagement plans, including cultivation, stewardship experiences, and recognition

· Drive a robust calendar of communications and activities to optimize donor engagement, mission impact, and a best-in class donor experience with IFAW

· Advise and support frontline fundraisers with strategy and content for donor communications and proposals; collaborate with gift officers on HNW individual donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts, including development of custom proposals and cases for support

· Collaborate with communications and program teams to create compelling donor impact reports, donor newsletters, webinars, bespoke proposals, and other tools that drive and support effective engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major- and principal-level gifts as well as larger legacy commitments; maintain curated library of assets for gift officers to use or customize

· Gather and share impact stories, data, and testimonials to demonstrate the value of donor contributions

· Plan and oversee execution of exclusive engagement opportunities (in-person and virtual) for target audience, designed to highlight IFAW programmatic expertise and build stronger donor relationships

· Develop and implement personalized stewardship plans for select principal and major donors, working closely with frontline fundraisers and relationship managers

· Ensure all donor touchpoints reflect the organization’s mission and values, and that donors feel valued and connected

Manage projects and personnel

· Lead, coach, and manage a team of freelancers responsible for communications, stewardship, and engagement activities; oversee contracts, monitor deliverables and expenditures

· Maintain strong relationships with program leaders across the global organization, keeping apprised of IFAW’s programmatic work to identify topics that will appeal to high-net-worth donors and prospects

· Analyze donor engagement metrics, track trends, and report on the effectiveness of engagement and stewardship strategies.

Collaboration and fundamentals  

· Ensure routine fundraising communications and templates for major gifts are up-to-date, accurate, and on brand (e.g., fundraising appeals, donor education emails, gift acknowledgments, holiday cards, swag)

· Manage creation and updates of bespoke proposals so that they are timely and well-designed

· Improve integration of mail / email outreach

· Collaborate with communications and marketing teams to optimize use and creative repurposing of resources and collateral materials

· Enhance web presence (philanthropy pages) to incorporate donor testimonials and demonstrate impact of philanthropic support

· Update and improve naming opportunities for major and principal gifts, named and endowed funds, larger legacies and blended gifts from HNW individuals

Strategic guidance and innovation

· Collaborate with DVP Development to recommend and implement effective points of contact with donors for the purposes of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of six-figure+ gifts

· Identify opportunities to present our work more effectively and enhance the donor experience

· Launch or relaunch giving societies – e.g., cumulative lifetime giving, high-end annual giving, legacy society – with an emphasis on philanthropy and engagement rather than perks and benefits

· Advise on ways to streamline and improve donor communications and engagement, e.g., by leveraging technology, balancing push / pull outreach, adjusting the mix of print / digital and other media  

· Guide the larger Development team in positioning our programs to inspire greater philanthropic support

Qualifications and Education Requirements

· Minimum 4-5 years of related experience in nonprofit stewardship, donor communications, fundraising, or related transferable experience

· Experience leading a team in a development setting, including direct supervision of colleagues in donor engagement and stewardship; and/or management of a stable of contractors and freelancers

· Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced, multifaceted environment and lead numerous functions and various projects simultaneously

· Exceptional written communication, relationship-building, project management and collaboration skills

· Intellectual curiosity

· Must be professional, highly organized, creative, efficient, and collaborative.

· Cultural competence: ability to work seamlessly with colleagues across four continents.

· Able to work successfully both individually and as part of a team.

· Must be flexible and willing to take on new responsibilities within a growing program

· Ability to travel regionally/internationally for trainings and team meetings

· A degree from a four-year college or university preferred

· Knowledge of Microsoft products, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook required; familiarity with Adobe, Canva or other graphic design / visual communications programs a plus

At IFAW, we aim to create and foster a workforce that reflects and contributes to the diverse, global community in which we work to improve the lives of both animals and people.  We are dedicated to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion so we actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds.

To apply, please submit CV and letter of interest to Donor Engagement Manager | Opportunities

At Ambitious about Autism we're currently looking for a Senior Prospect Researcher to join our team.

You will be critical in strategically driving our growth, improving practices and increasing efficiency, through guiding and supporting colleagues across the fundraising department. You will work particularly closely with the Major Donor, Trusts and Foundations and Corporate Teams to help grow pipelines and bring to the forefront the most exciting opportunities.

You'll develop processes and tools relating to prospect research, such as pipeline management and prospect propensity evaluations. You'll also lead regular pipeline review meetings to support, guide and motivate fundraisers to drive movement through pipelines.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Proven experience of identifying and qualifying potential new major donors, trusts, senior volunteers and corporates, resulting in further income for the organisation
• Proven experience in communicating effectively and presenting data, information, trends and recommendations effectively with a wide range of audiences
• Experience of forming, maintaining and growing working relationships and ability to influence and persuade
• An understanding of trends and developments across the high value fundraising sector, as well as prospect research

In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD), flexible, hybrid working and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

You will have a background of successfully securing grants from trusts and foundations within the charitable sector and have strong grant management skills, from researching prospects through to the production of compelling and successful proposals for funding. With excellent communication and writing skills you will be able to develop persuasive bids and build and steward relationships, demonstrating the impact of funders’ investment. You will be comfortable in managing a busy workload and to strict deadlines, working with our Africa and UK programmes team to achieve key targets and contributing to wider fundraising efforts, including through events and the growth of earned income streams.

 For a self-motivated individual with the drive to galvanise internal and external support and opportunities, you will help to enable and achieve our ambitions for our Africa and UK programmes. 

You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025. 

Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.

Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising. 

This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.

Key duties

Major Donor Fundraising

• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+

• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships

• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.

• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development.  Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.

• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.

• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.

• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.

• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.

• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.

• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.

• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.

• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.

• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.

• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.

• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.

• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity

• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events

Other duties

• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.

• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.

• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.

• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.

• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.