Major gifts and philanthropy manager jobs
At Bookmark, we have a simple vision: we want every child to read. We have seen significant growth over the past few years and have built a network of engaged supporters. As we approach the halfway mark of our three-year strategy, we are recruiting an experienced major donor fundraiser to play a key role in the growth of our philanthropy programme, securing and developing relationships with high-net-worth individuals that change the story for children.
This individual will join a successful team and work closely alongside another Philanthropy Manager to steward and cultivate existing supporters as well as manage a pipeline of prospects through their giving journey. You will work directly with the Head of Fundraising and be responsible for your own portfolio of major donors, trusts and family foundations. By August 2027 Bookmark aim to have reached 500,000 children with our literacy programmes, you could be part of that incredible goal.
Job Description
Delivering the Philanthropy plan
- Work with the Head of Fundraising and existing Philanthropy Manager to grow the major donor portfolio within the wider strategy
- Build and maintain a portfolio of existing and new major donors who give or can give £15,000 or more, ensuring a first-class cultivation and stewardship journey
- Line manage the Philanthropy Executive and support their professional development, providing direction, support and guidance
- Work with our Fundraising Research & Administration Intern to identify new potential Bookmark major donors, working with Trustees, senior stakeholders, and our wonderfully supportive Partnerships Board to secure introductions and make asks of prospective supporters
- Design and deliver creative events and activities to generate income, cultivate and steward donors
- Create compelling, relevant and tailored funding proposals, reports and collateral to inspire and inform donors, reflecting Bookmark’s strong brand. The could include Trust and Foundation applications.
- Use Salesforce to manage the accurate recording, progression and forecasting of major donor relationships, enabling efficient reporting and KPI management
Work with the rest of the Fundraising team
- Work closely with the rest of the Fundraising team to ensure opportunities to maximise income for the fundraising team
- Devise and deliver annual plans, together with associated budgets, in line with the charity’s strategic objectives
- Work with the Senior Leadership Team, Chair of Trustees and colleagues across the charity to ensure major donor fundraising activity is aligned with the charity’s wider plans and objectives
- Ensure that all activity helps to build Bookmark’s brand and is always brand compliant
- Ensure Bookmark’s ethical fundraising policy is adhered to
Person specification
Essential
- A successful track record in high value fundraising and acquisition, including a proven track record of securing five figure gifts
- Experience working towards and meeting, or exceeding, fundraising targets
- Experience developing relationships with high-net-worth individuals through all stages of the donor cycle
- A demonstrable ability to build internal relationships and use senior stakeholders (CEO, Trustees, Senior Leadership Team) to help progress major donor relationships
- Experience working on successful charity events that meet fundraising targets
- Great verbal communication skills, demonstrated by strong relationships with donors and colleagues. You will have the skills to influence, motivate and persuade people to donate
- Demonstrable experience of writing successful, inspiring, emotive, and technically accurate cases for support and proposals tailored to a major donor audience
- Experience growing and managing a pipeline, planning for your portfolio and increasing income
- An understanding and ability to build budgets and work with financials
- Experience using of Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Experience using Salesforce, or another fundraising database
Desirable
- Line management experience
- Experience working with a fundraising board or high value committee
- Experience managing and developing a high value giving circle
- Experience running matching campaigns or large mailings
Contract type: Permanent, Full Time. Part-time (0.8/4 days) will be considered.
Salary: £40,000 to £42,000
Reporting to: Head of Fundraising
Location: Bookmark Reading Charity, Charles House, 5-11 Regent Street Saint James's, London SW1Y 4LR. Minimum two days per week based at the Bookmark office
Application deadline: 22nd February
Shortlisting: w/c 23rd February, with shortlisted candidates informed by 25th February 2026
1st Round interviews to be held in person in central London: Wednesday 4th March 2026
2nd Round interviews to be held online: Monday 9th March
Potential for discussion with senior stakeholder after 2nd round
We promote a reading for pleasure culture in primary schools, focusing on supporting children in the most disadvantaged communities.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People – Major Gifts Manager
Location:Hybrid working with some travel to Hearing Dogs offices in either Buckinghamshire or East Yorkshire.
Salary: £45,000 per annum.
Contract: Permanent, full-time hours.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, whose mission is to build confidence, companionship and connection for people with hearing loss, is seeking a Major Gifts Manager to drive growth in income from high-net-worth individuals.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has been creating life-changing partnerships between hearing dogs and deaf recipients since 1982. As well as acting as an ear to their partners and alerting them to sounds, the charity’s clever and expertly trained dogs help deaf people to live life with confidence and independence, whilst providing love and emotional support.
Following on from a strategic review, the charity is now building a new Income Generation Directorate, to enable them to transform many more lives across the UK. This role will be critical to help Hearing Dogs reach their goals to significantly grow and diversify income.
The Major Gifts Manager will be part of the charity’s high-performing Philanthropy team, personally managing a portfolio of high-value donors and projects, and cultivating long-term relationships that lead to increased giving. Reporting to the Major Gifts Team Manager, the postholder will oversee major donor stewardship journeys and the strategic delivery of the charity’s successful VIP Name a Puppy scheme, as well as developing compelling cases for support.
The successful candidate will have substantial experience securing major gifts and managing high‑value relationships in a similar field, including five‑ and six‑figure contributions, as well as a strong track record in cultivating and stewarding donors. They will also have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and confidence engaging high‑net‑worth individuals and senior stakeholders.
Candidates will bring strategic project‑management ability, strong writing skills for producing compelling proposals and reports, and a data‑informed approach using CRM systems to guide activity. A professional, proactive and collaborative working style will be essential.
This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the direction of major giving at an organisation which is changing people’s lives every day, and where you have the flexibility of working remotely or spending time at Hearing Dogs’ stunning bases in Buckinghamshire or Yorkshire, with friendly and passionate staff and their four-legged friends.
If you want to lead the pack and help deaf people live well with hearing loss Please download our Candidate Pack for further information [PDF], which includes details on how to apply.
Closing date: Monday 23rd February, 9.00 am.
Are you passionate about bringing art to everyone? Do you believe in the power of digital to engage people with the arts? We’re looking for an enthusiastic Philanthropy Manager to join our friendly and dedicated team.
We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries, particularly individuals who experience physical, mental or social barriers to accessing the arts.
About Art UK
Art UK is an art education charity and the online home for every public collection of art in the United Kingdom. It is making the UK’s national collection of art accessible to everyone online – for enjoyment, learning and research. Art UK brings together art from almost 3,500 British institutions in one of the UK's largest ever arts partnerships and showcases this art to a global audience of 5.5m users per annum. Approaching 60% of this audience is overseas.
Art UK provides significant support to museums and galleries in the UK, by providing them with a shared digital platform to showcase their art collections, reach new audiences, and generate income. Most of these collections would not be able to show their art online without Art UK. The Art UK platform is rich in story content, learning resources for teachers and students, and public engagement opportunities. A shared e-commerce infrastructure helps collections generate much needed commercial income.
About You
As the Philanthropy Manager, you will be a confident and persuasive communicator, comfortable engaging with supporters and stakeholders at all levels. You will have a solid knowledge of philanthropic giving and a deep appreciation of the value of high-quality donor stewardship. Highly organised and detail-focused, you will enjoy working with data and be skilled at producing compelling content both on and offline. You will bring initiative, creativity and the ability to work independently, while also being a collaborative team player.
The Philanthropy Manager is a new donor-facing role, which will focus on expanding and strengthening a major donor portfolio to increase five and six figure income from individual donors and family trusts for Art UK. You will lead on managing and growing Art UK’s philanthropic giving programme, which includes the Patrons and supporter events programme and our major donor activity. Working within an ambitious team, you will have the support of a freelance Prospect Researcher to identify new prospects, and the Development Manager and CRM Officer to develop donor journeys and relationship management systems. You will report to the Head of Development, work closely with the CEO and Chair of the Philanthropy Board, and collaborate with colleagues across the organisation.
You will actively promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of your work, reflecting your commitment to our organisational values and contributing to a positive workplace culture.
Key Responsibilities
- Build and maintain a robust prospect pipeline through identification, research, cultivation and relationship-building to secure five-figure gifts and long-term support
- Manage a portfolio of mid-level individual donors, converting one-off supporters into deeper donor relationships
- Manage and grow Art UK’s mid-level regular giving programme, strengthening donor relationships through face-to face meetings, events and personalised communication
- Develop donor development strategies, using CRM to analysis and identify higher gift prospects from existing donor pool and maximise giving potential
- Lead on major gifts for annual Big Give campaigns, identifying and securing keystone pledge donors, and leveraging networks to reach giving targets
- Create and implement, effectively and in a timely manner, development plans for each donor to retain and upgrade donors and document all activities in CRM Beacon
- Prepare and personalise correspondence and fundraising materials, including donor stewardship and reports, funding proposals and acknowledgement letters as appropriate
- Work closely with the Marketing team and other colleagues to showcase Art UK’s work and enhance donor engagement
- Organise and deliver events for major donors and prospects (with support from the Development team), including attending events where appropriate
- Support management of the American Friends of Art UK (launching 2026), including donor stewarding and events programming
- Support senior leadership and board members in the preparation and delivery of high-quality donor pitches to secure new philanthropic gifts
- Monitor progress against targets and maintain accurate reporting, including updates to Art UK’s Board of Trustees and the Philanthropy Board
- Ensure pledges and donations are processed efficiently and that donors are thanked promptly and personally
- Work closely with all members of the Development team to ensure prospecting and cultivation activity is aligned and complementary
- Ensure all philanthropic fundraising activity is conducted in line with legal, regulatory and ethical best practice e.g. GDPR and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Code of Practice
Necessary Skills
- Essential: Experience managing a pipeline of philanthropic supporter prospects, including researching and devising bespoke cultivation plans
- Essential: Proven experience as a major donor fundraiser with a track record of securing five-figure gifts.
- Essential: Proven experience creating, implementing and evaluating philanthropic fundraising strategies
- Essential: Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to identify and shape innovative partnership opportunities
- Essential: Outstanding relationship-building and networking skills, including digital engagement
- Essential: In-depth understanding of the philanthropic fundraising environment
- Essential: First-class written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to engage with a wide range of stakeholders
- Essential: Experience analysing and using supporter data to inform campaigns
- Essential: Strong copywriting, proofing and editing skills
- Essential: Experience using CRM databases with a high level of accuracy
- Essential: Thorough knowledge of fundraising best practice and legislation
- Essential: Self-motivated, reliable and exceptionally organized
- Desirable: Experience planning and managing fundraising events
- Desirable: Experience in donor acquisition through online giving platforms, direct marketing by email and social media campaigns
- Desirable: Active interest in the visual arts and awareness of UK art collections
- Desirable: Experience working with a diverse range of audiences
- Desirable: Experience working on projects with a broad range of partners
- Desirable: Experience of US fundraising and philanthropic giving
Contract terms
- Full-time
- Permanent contract
- Salary £38,000 per annum
- Three-month probationary period
- One-month termination clause
- Work from home, within 2-hour travel time to central London (once monthly travel to London for evening events and meetings required)
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus regional Bank Holidays
- Paid Christmas closure period (Christmas Day to New Year’s Day)
- Flexible working hours
- Workplace pension scheme
- Training and development opportunities
- Mental health and wellbeing support
- Above statutory paid sick leave
- Enhanced paid parental leave
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Monthly wellbeing hour
- Trained Mental Health First Aider’s
- Regular staff socials, both virtual and in-person
- Eye tests paid for up to £35, glasses subsidised up to £30
Art UK is a charity – the online home for the UK's public art collections
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is a new role to sit in a fast paced and growing fundraising team. Reporting to the Senior Philanthropy and Major Gifts Manager, this role will be responsible for managing a portfolio of mid-level funders, develop compelling funding applications, support the stewardship of high-value funders, and ensure accurate reporting and data compliance.
The role supports the Senior Philanthropy and Major Gifts Manager in delivering the Trusts & Foundations strategy, maintaining fundraising processes, and identifying new funding opportunities, while contributing to the overall success of the fundraising department.
The post holder will work closely with colleagues across Fundraising, Marketing, Care Teams, Finance, Senior Management, Trustees and the Director of Fundraising and Hospice Development.
This is a hybrid role however due to its collaborative nature and the need to regularly meet donors, team members and hospice colleagues on-site we ask that applicants are able to commute to St John’s Wood at least three days per week, with a preference for four.
What would be my responsibilities as a Senior Philanthropy and Gifts Executive?
- Support delivery of the Trusts & Foundations strategy, including prospect research and pipeline development.
- Lead on mid‑level funding applications (£5k–£50k) and contribute to high‑value bids.
- Produce accurate impact and financial reports, coordinating information across care, finance and service teams.
- Manage and steward a portfolio of funders, ensuring personalised communication and strong relationships
- Support high‑level donor engagement, including meetings, presentations and site visits.
- Maintain accurate CRM records and ensure compliance with GDPR and fundraising standards.
- Contribute to donor profiles, solicitation plans and stewardship schedules, working collaboratively across income streams.
- Provide guidance to junior staff and deputise for the Senior Philanthropy & Major Gifts Manager when required.
Am I the right person for this role?
- 2+ years in Trust & Foundation fundraising or equivalent bid‑writing role
- Proven experience in Trusts & Foundations fundraising, bid‑writing, and securing 4‑figure+ grants.
- Strong relationship‑management skills with internal and external stakeholders, including donors.
- Excellent written communication and analytical ability, with confidence interpreting financial information.
- Ability to manage competing priorities, work independently, and contribute effectively to a team.
- Knowledge of the UK Trusts & Foundations sector and experience using CRM systems (ideally Salesforce).
- Collaborative and values‑driven approach, with willingness to support colleagues, mentor junior staff, and work flexibly (incl. occasional evenings/weekends).
- Comfortable leading meetings and building strong working relationships across hospice, fundraising, and external partners.
Why apply for this role?
At our organisation we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our employees a wide range of benefits;
When you become part of the HJE Family, these are some of the benefits you will receive:
- Private healthcare scheme worth up to £20,000 per year
- 27 days annual leave
- Blue Light Card discounts
- Interest-free season ticket loans
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free eye check-up vouchers with contribution towards lenses
- Free newspaper and media subscriptions
- Local Business discounts
- Discount in our Hospice Charity shop
- Refer a Friend scheme
- Free Cinema Society Membership offering discounted tickets
- Personal development and training courses
- Annual events and recognition awards
- Career progression and increments
- For employees joining us from the NHS, we can provide continuation of your NHS pension
If you are ready for a new challenge and relish the chance to become part of a successful, forward thinking organisation then we would love to hear from you.
Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving)
Salary£49,321.55 per annum
LocationLondon/Hybrid
Weekly Hours35
The Vacancy
Job Title: Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving)
Location: London/Hybrid
Salary: £49,321.55 per annum
Weekly Hours: 35
Reference: YMC1095733
We seek a strategic and relationship-driven Philanthropy fundraising professional with a passion for making a difference to young people’s lives. If you thrive on securing transformational gifts and building meaningful connections with high-value donors, then YMCA England & Wales has an incredible opportunity for you to shape and lead our Major Giving programme as our new Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving).
About YMCA England & Wales
YMCA England & Wales supports 83 local YMCAs, advocating for vulnerable young people by providing essential building blocks for a better life—like a safe home, guidance, friendship, and employment skills. We are committed to ensuring fairness and opportunity for all, and through our collective voice, we influence national policy and media to improve the lives of young people across the country.
Fundraising at YMCA England & Wales has three pillars:
- Fundraising for distribution through initiatives such as our RoomSponsor programme and national partnerships
- Fundraise to support YMCAs and fund our policy, campaign and research work, which changes the lives of young people
- Help YMCAs fundraise themselves by providing assets, propositions, and advice for local fundraisers.
The Role
As Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving), you will lead the development and implementation of an ambitious new Major Giving strategy to secure and maximise funds from high-net-worth individuals. Your focus will be on nurturing relationships with existing donors while identifying and engaging new prospects, driving initiatives including Giving Circles and Development Boards.
You will work closely with senior leadership, Trustees, and key stakeholders to craft compelling cases for support, aligning with YMCA’s ambitious new housing strategy and broader organisational goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors, developing tailored engagement strategies to inspire long-term support.
- Plan and execute donor stewardship activities, including bespoke events, face-to-face meetings, and personalised communications.
- Work with senior leadership and Trustees to build strong relationships with philanthropists and high-value supporters.
- Develop and deliver compelling proposals, impact reports, and updates to donors.
- Identify and research prospective major donors, developing strategies to engage them effectively.
- Implement YMCA’s ambitious Major Giving Strategy which projects an ever more important focus for this area.
- Oversee the Major Giving income and expenditure budget, providing accurate forecasts and performance reports.
- Collaborate with colleagues across fundraising teams to align strategies and maximise income opportunities.
- Ensure robust data management within the CRM database, adhering to GDPR and best practices.
- Work cross-functionally to develop new fundraising products and giving opportunities, ensuring high-value philanthropy is embedded across the organisation.
About You
We are looking for a highly motivated, strategic, and personable fundraising professional with a proven track record of securing major gifts. You will be confident in building relationships with high-net-worth individuals and passionate about delivering exceptional donor experiences.
You will have:
- Significant experience in major donor fundraising, with a track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts.
- Excellent relationship management skills, with the ability to engage and influence high-value supporters.
- Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with experience in developing and implementing fundraising strategies.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to create compelling cases for support.
- Budget management and forecasting experience, with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
- Experience working with senior stakeholders, including Trustees and senior leadership teams.
- Knowledge of philanthropy trends, donor motivations, and fundraising best practices.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of an ambitious and growing fundraising team, with the opportunity to shape and lead YMCA’s major donor programme.
- Work for a charity that makes a real difference in the lives of young people and communities across England & Wales.
- Enjoy a collaborative and supportive work environment, where your contributions are valued and celebrated.
- Competitive salary and benefits package, with opportunities for professional development.
If you are passionate about philanthropy and have the skills and experience to drive major donor fundraising at YMCA England & Wales, we would love to hear from you!
To apply: please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role
Our recruitment process is anonymised and candidates' names are hidden. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. Safer recruitment is important to us and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. They will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration, safeguarding training and undertake a DBS check.
YMCA is the world's oldest and largest youth charity. Collectively, we support 402,501 young people across 708 communities in England and Wales.


Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Philanthropy Manager
Up to £44,000 FTE per annum, £35,200 actual, plus 8% pension contribution
28 hours per week
Permanent role
Hybrid working – homebased working for the majority of time with a need to attend head office in Godalming on occasions
An exciting opportunity to lead relationships with some of the League’s most influential supporters and secure transformational gifts that will help end animal cruelty in the name of ‘sport’.
What You’ll Do:
As our Philanthropy Manager, you will lead our major donor programme and manage a growing portfolio of high-value individuals, trusts and partners. Working closely with the Director of Fundraising, Chief Executive and senior stakeholders, you will identify, cultivate and steward influential supporters, making compelling asks and demonstrating the real-world impact of their generosity. Your responsibilities will include:
- Developing and managing relationships with major donors, high-value individuals, family trusts and corporate partners
- Delivering an ambitious philanthropy strategy, annual plan and budget
- Building and maintaining a robust prospect pipeline through research, networking and relationship-building
- Working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to develop fundraising propositions, related income sources, such as family trusts and corporate partners, and donor updates
· Tracking performance, managing income reporting and maintain accurate records
Who You Are:
We need a confident and inspirational relationship manager with a passion for animal welfare, who possesses:
- Previous experience working with high-net-worth individuals, either in the charity or commercial sector
- Proven success in major gift fundraising
- A strong understanding of major donor fundraising principles
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience using CRM systems and managing donor data.
Why Join Us:
We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance, enjoy flexible working arrangements, including options for compressed hours and remote work from day one. With 28 days (pro-rata) of annual leave, in addition to the public holidays, and a generous employer contribution of eight percent towards your pension scheme, we prioritise your well-being. Additionally, our benefits package includes discounts on shopping, electronics, hospitality and leisure. Find out more about working at the League.
The League Against Cruel Sports is committed to inclusivity and diversity, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
We believe that together we can end animal cruelty in the name of sport. Join us in our purposeful mission to redefine what is acceptable and inspire positive change in animal welfare legislation.
Ready to make a real difference? Don't wait - apply now! We're looking to fill this position quickly and will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. To apply, please submit your CV along with a covering letter stating what days and hours you are available.
We protect animals from being persecuted in the name of sport. United, we aim to redefine what is acceptable and inspire change.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We’re working with a large, well-established national charity that is investing significantly in its philanthropy programme and is now looking to appoint an experienced Philanthropy Manager to join a growing and ambitious income generation team.
Salary: £45,000 – £48,000
Location: London / Hybrid
Contract: Permanent, full time (flexible working considered)
This is a senior, relationship-led role, suited to an established major donor fundraiser who enjoys managing high-value relationships while also supporting and developing others.
Key highlights of the role
- Ownership of a high-value major donor portfolio, securing consistent five- and six-figure gifts
- Line management responsibility for a Philanthropy Officer, with a strong focus on coaching, development and performance
- Close working with senior leadership and influential volunteers to open networks and progress strategic relationships
- Significant autonomy to shape cultivation, solicitation and stewardship approaches
- Opportunity to contribute to long-term philanthropy strategy and pipeline growth
- Strong internal collaboration with fundraising operations, events and wider income teams
This role will suit someone with proven experience of securing major gifts, confidence making face-to-face asks, and the ability to balance hands-on fundraising with effective people management.
This is a rolling recruitment process, with the hiring manager reviewing CVs as they are received. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Please email Hannah at
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
About the role
We are looking for an excellent and experienced relationship fundraiser, who excels at identifying and building inspiring and genuine connections with high net-worth individual donors, who have the capacity to give six- and seven- figure gifts.
This role requires a motivated, creative and confident individual, who thrives on getting out and about and meeting with supporters. The role will help shape the Business Development and Philanthropy Team’s plans to deliver outstanding donor engagement and stewardship so that our donors are inspired and proud to support us and enjoy their philanthropic giving experience. This role will make a vital contribution to delivering a step change in our philanthropic income growth to support Practical Action’s strategic ambition and mission.
About you
We are seeking a motivated, creative and confident individual, who thrives on getting out and about and meeting with supporters. You will have at least 5 years’ experience of securing gifts from high net-worth individuals making gifts privately or through family trusts, donor advised funds and corporations.
Accountabilities
- Lead the process of identifying and cultivating individual donor prospects (UK and international) capable of giving six- and seven- figure gifts, fully understanding their funding preferences, criteria and fit with Practical Action.
- Steward a portfolio of loyal and high-quality donors, giving five and six figure annual gifts and ensure our donors receive exceptional stewardship, feel valued for their support and become advocates of Practical Action to their friends, family and networks.
- Work with autonomy and represent Practical Action at one-to-one meetings and networking events with high net-worth individuals.
- Work with senior colleagues and the Board of Trustees to identify prospects, build relationships and secure gifts from high net-worth individuals.
- Distil complex information and messaging into powerful, emotive and high-quality tailored communications (including pitches, cases for support, bespoke proposals and donor reports) that demonstrate impact and inspire giving by individual donors and family trusts.
Person Specification
To be successful in the role, the ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:
- Significant fundraising experience (5 years+) of securing gifts from high net-worth individuals making gifts privately, or through family trusts, donor advised funds and corporations.
- Excellent knowledge about philanthropy sector developments, trends and key philanthropic organisations and networks in the UK and internationally.
- A strong and proven track record of building new prospect pipelines and of managing a portfolio of donors, including demonstrable experience of securing six- and seven-figure gifts.
- An experienced and confident networker with a proven ability to build and maintain a diverse group of contacts, at all levels, both internally and externally, and represent Practical Action to inspire, secure commitment and support.
- Knowledge of data protection principles, legal requirements, and ethical fundraising practice is essential.
Skills, Abilities and Competencies:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to summarise and distil complex issues in an inspiring way.
- Ability and confidence to influence and manage successful internal relationships including writing reports and donor meeting briefings for senior colleagues.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced environment, ensuring our donors receive excellent stewardship throughout their relationship with Practical Action.
- Strong project management skills to lead approaches backed up by an appropriate level of research and analysis.
- Enthusiasm and willingness to trial, learn and adapt — whether building on existing major giving experience or trialling new ideas and approaches to reach new donors audiences, for example next generation or diaspora giving.
- You will contribute to a culture of kindness, collaboration, rigour and accountability.
- Effective and positive team-player with a strong preference for collaboration
- Strong administrative, time-management, IT and numeracy skills.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Why join us?
The opportunity to work for an organisation that is making a positive difference to the lives of people worldwide, a friendly and supportive culture, and working with values-driven and highly engaged colleagues are just some of the reasons we think Practical Action is a great place to work.
This role will be based in the UK.
The successful applicant must have the pre-existing right to both live and work in the UK. The successful candidate will be expected to attend the Rugby office on regular occasions.
Additional information
Practical Action believes that having a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture based on respect will enable us to be an effective organisation. We seek to create an inclusive workplace in which people are accepted as individuals, regardless of their differences and where they feel their contribution is valued. Practical Action is an equal opportunities employer, and we encourage applications from under-represented groups.
We stay committed to cultivating an inclusive and diverse working environment and believe that people from different backgrounds or cultures give us different perspectives, and the more perspectives we have, the more successful we will be. By building a culture where everyone feels heard, respected, and valued we give everyone working with us the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Practical Action is committed to safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults and as such candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks including criminal checks and terrorist financing.
Closing date for applications: Sunday 1st March 2026. Please note that should we recruit a suitable candidate before the closing date, we will close applications earlier than the specified date.
Interviews: It is anticipated that first round online interviews will take place week of 9th March and final interviews will take place in person at our Rugby office week commencing 16th March 2026.
If you do not hear from us within five weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.
HOW TO APPLY
If you want to work for a charity with significant people ambitions, then we would like to hear from you. For more information, please visit our careers page. To apply please submit a copy of your CV (A MAXIMIUM OF 2 PAGES) and send us a supporting statement that includes the answers to the following question:
1.Why are you an excellent candidate for the Philanthropy Executive role at Practical Action, please provide examples from your career to evidence your answer?
Our vision is for a world that works better for everyone. We believe where there’s action, there’s hope.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Salary: £39,000–£42,000 per year
Location: St John’s Wood, London – hybrid (at least 3 days a week on-site, ideally 4)
Contract: Permanent
St John’s Hospice, part of the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth, provides free, specialist care for people living with life-limiting illness and their families across North London. This new role is a great opportunity to grow our income from trusts, foundations and major gifts so we can reach even more people.
The role
As Senior Philanthropy and Major Gifts Executive, you will:
- Manage a portfolio of mid-level trusts, foundations and other funders.
- Lead on drafting and submitting compelling funding applications.
- Support the stewardship of high-value funders, including visits and meetings.
- Research and qualify new funding prospects to grow the pipeline.
- Produce clear, timely impact and financial reports with colleagues across care, finance and services.
- Maintain accurate records and pipelines on the CRM, ensuring full compliance with GDPR and charity standards.
- Work closely with the Senior Philanthropy and Major Gifts Manager and wider fundraising team, with scope to develop towards major donors and other income streams.
This is a collaborative role based at St John’s Wood, with hybrid working and regular contact with colleagues, senior management and trustees.
What we’re looking for
- Experience in trusts and foundations fundraising.
- A record of securing four-figure and above grants.
- Confident prospect research and analytical skills.
- Ability to manage a busy workload and competing deadlines accurately.
- Experience using CRM systems.
- Ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
This is an exciting and engaging role, managing a small, well-established Philanthropy Team, where you will have the opportunity to work directly with our top supporters, develop interesting cultivation events and help us reach new supporters across Dorset and Wiltshire.
The Philanthropy Team incorporates major donor, mid-value, trust and legacy fundraising. It works closely with public fundraising and events teams. The CEO, Deputy CEO and specific trustees are also actively engaged in managing key relationships.
The role
The role is full time (35 hours per week) with hybrid working between home and the office in Wimborne in Dorset. There will be a requirement to travel across both Dorset and Wiltshire for internal meetings, donor meetings and events, with occasional out of hours working.
About you
We are looking for a talented, strategic, individual who can hit the ground running, be innovative, ambitious and bring exciting new ideas, ready to make a real difference to the growing number of local families we support. Energetic and with a passion for this type of role, you will be a confident communicator, who can build relationships with new and existing supporters and a considerate and thoughtful people manager. You must have a proven track record of working with high-net worth individuals in order to apply. We welcome applicants from within and outside the charity sector.
About us
Julia’s House cares for babies, children and teenagers with life-shortening or life-threatening conditions across Dorset and Wiltshire. We provide support for the whole family - mums, dads, siblings and even grandparents. Our care is regular, frequent, flexible and free, with more than half of our care taking place in family’s homes. When the worst happens, Julia’s House is there. We offer comfort and support at home, in hospital or our hospices, wherever families need us.
Join us and make a real difference in this key role
Salary: £52,000 - £60,000
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Closing date: Review on a rolling basis
Location: Hybrid, based in either London or Manchester office
Benefits: 5% Employer pension contribution, Private medical insurance, Healthcare cash plan, income protection
We are thrilled to be working with an amazing national youth charity as they search for a passionate Senior Philanthropy Manager to join their incredible team.
The Senior Philanthropy Manager will lead the Philanthropy function, driving the team forward as they embark on the cultivation of a strong new prospect pipeline. As part of the role, you will be responsible for a team bringing in income of over £1.3m per year, with a view to double income over the next 3 years.
Working closely with the Head of Relationship Fundraising, you will lead the development of team plans, ensuring that they are diversifying their high value donor portfolio, and delivers sustainable unrestricted and restricted income.
This is a great opportunity to lead a high performing team, and spearhead an exciting Philanthropy Programme with buy-in and investment from stakeholders across the organisation.
To be successful in the role of Senior Philanthropy Manager, you will need:
- Proven experience of working with high value donors as a leading professional in the area of philanthropy.
- Demonstrable experience of securing major donor gifts at £100k, with excellent writing skills to support the delivery of proposals.
- Proven experience of developing effective donor relationships and provision of excellent stewardship, with knowledge of the changing philanthropic landscape.
If you would like to have an informal discussion, please call and ask to speak to Jake. CV's are being reviewed on a rolling basis.
You will be part of a small energetic and committed team supporting the delivery of Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s philanthropy and income generation ambitions. Working collaboratively with colleagues, you will help grow and steward support from individuals, corporate, charitable and statutory donors, with a lead responsibility for a defined portfolio of relationships and initiatives.
Fundraising and relationship building happen across the charity, and you will manage your own portfolio of donors and partners and work with the Chief Executive and wider team to co-ordinate activity, share insight and maximise opportunities for place based philanthropy in Northamptonshire.
You will need confidence, excellent communication skills and the ability to plan and deliver projects as part of a highly collaborative team. You will be comfortable cultivating, stewarding and sometimes soliciting charitable donations yourself, as well as creating opportunities for the Chief Executive to engage with donors and prospective supporters.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Since opening its doors in 1871, Royal Albert Hall has stood at the heart of the nation’s cultural life. From the Suffragettes to Stormzy, Elgar to Einstein, the Beatles to Shirley Bassey, the world’s most influential voices have shaped moments of history on its iconic stage.
A £50 million capital appeal was launched in late 2025, which will fund improvements of facilities for artists, audiences and young people taking part in engagement activities at the Grade I listed concert hall. This 15-year estate plan represents a significant evolution in the Hall’s fundraising approach, creating an exceptional opportunity to expand its philanthropic reach, deepen relationships with supporters and secure transformational investment in the future of this much-loved institution.
The Senior Philanthropy Manager (Maternity Cover) will play a pivotal role in the delivery of its major donor programme. Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, this role sits at the heart of the philanthropy team, combining hands-on major gifts fundraising with oversight of systems, processes and pipeline management. The postholder will shape and steward a growing portfolio of high-value supporters during a critical phase of the Hall’s capital appeal, while ensuring that donor engagement activity is coordinated, consistent and effective.
Please note that interviews will occur on a rolling basis. To discuss the role in more detail and make an application, please apply ASAP with a copy of your most recent CV plus any additional information that aligns with the person specification below.
As Senior Philanthropy Manager, you will:
- Report to the Head of Philanthropy and line manage two direct reports – Senior Prospect Researcher and Philanthropy Coordinator – fostering clarity, structure and confidence within your team.
- Manage a personal portfolio of major donors, stewarding relationships typically in the £20,000–£500,000 range.
- Work to a team income target, generating funds from HNWIs through major gifts, mid-value gifts and legacies.
- Own and drive the major donor pipeline, ensuring clear next steps, momentum and follow-through across cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
- Be donor-facing, through regular face-to-face meetings, cultivation activity and events, including evening engagement as part of stewardship.
- Ensure robust processes are in place for tracking, thanking and income processing, with delivery support from the Philanthropy Coordinator.
- Act as a central coordinating figure for major donor activity, working closely with the Head of Philanthropy, Development Director and selected Philanthropy Board members.
- Lead on the rollout of donor communications, including tailored donor stewardship and wider impact reporting.
- Work closely with other development colleagues who focus on the Hall’s Friends and Patrons programmes, Trust and Foundation approaches and Events.
Essential skills and experience:
- Demonstrable experience of managing and stewarding high-value individual donors, ideally within a major gifts or upper mid-value context.
- Experience of personally securing c.£50K+ donations from HNWIs – please ensure that examples of personally secured gifts from HNWIs, including £value, are included on your CV. It would also be helpful to include context e.g., uplift, new donor
- Confidence working with fundraising databases and systems (ideally Tessitura), and a strong understanding of GDPR and DPA 2018.
- Strong organisational and process skills, with the ability to keep complex, multi-strand activity moving and well-tracked.
- Experience of working collaboratively in a matrixed environment with senior stakeholders and volunteers.
- Some line management or mentoring experience, with the ability to provide clear direction and practical support. However, this is not a heavily people-management-focused role
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence engaging donors in a range of settings.
- A proactive, detail-oriented approach, combined with sound judgement and professionalism.
Desirable:
- Arts, culture or heritage fundraising experience.
- Experience of working on or alongside a capital appeal.
Employee benefits include:
- 25 days per year annual leave (pro rata for part-time employees), with the opportunity to buy or sell up to five days holiday per calendar year
- Life assurance of 6 x basic salary
- RAH’s canteen offers free hot and cold meals, including vegetarian options, to staff whilst at work
- Employee Assistance Programme
The Royal Albert Hall are partnering with Laura Macnamara at QuarterFive for this appointment.
For your application via CharityJob, please ensure that your CV aligns with the person specification. If necessary, please provide additional notes. Please apply ASAP - interviews will take place on a rolling basis.
A cover letter is not required at this stage. Suitability will be assessed initially via CV and accompanying notes where provided. For suitable applicants, comprehensive support for formal application will be provided by Laura at QuarterFive.
Owing to the number of applications we receive, we may not be able to respond to all applicants individually.
Prospectus are pleased to be supporting our client in their search for a Senior Philanthropy Manager (Maternity Cover).
Since they opened their doors in 1871, the venue has been home to the world’s leading figures in music, dance, entertainment and conversation. From the Suffragettes to Stormzy, Elgar to Einstein, the Beatles to Bassey… icons grace their stage.
A charity known and loved across the globe, they are home to dreams and determination, contemplation and celebration – bringing people together to lift their spirits and inspire. Every year nearly 2 million people enjoy unforgettable experiences in their spectacular building, with millions more joining online and through broadcast worldwide.
This is a 12–15-month maternity cover contract, paying a salary of £58,700 per annum. The postholder will be working in a hybrid model from their offices in London.
The Senior Philanthropy Manager will primarily be focused on generating funds from high value individuals, through major gifts, mid value gifts and legacies, to support these goals. The postholder will develop and review the strategy for stewarding individuals into making major gifts and maximising the income generated from them.
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of securing and managing high value donations from individuals. You will have extensive experience in individual giving, ideally within an arts and culture or heritage organisation and of fundraising for a capital campaign.
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.
The Talent Set is delighted to be partnering with our sector leading client in their search for a proactive and ambitious Senior Philanthropy Manager to join their high-performing fundraising team. The philanthropy programme has doubled in size recently, and this role is pivotal in driving the next phase of growth.
The Role
You will balance your time between managing a warm portfolio of existing donors and strategically building a new pipeline of support. Key responsibilities include:
- Cultivating and stewarding relationships with donors giving five and six-figure gifts.
- Building a pipeline of new major donor opportunities at the £50k+ level
- Working with senior leadership and Board members to inspire a culture of philanthropy across the organisation.
- Providing supportive and inspiring line management to a Philanthropy Manager.
About You
We are looking for a "go-getter" who is comfortable in a fast-paced but supportive environment and dedicated to providing first-class donor stewardship. To be successful, you will need:
- Proven experience personally soliciting of five figure (at least £50,000) donations from high-net-worth individuals.
- A track record of identifying and delivering new support opportunities at the £50k+ level.
- The ability to work with senior volunteers and influencers to leverage peer connections.
- Experience managing complex projects and developing compelling, strategically aligned funding propositions.
What’s on Offer
- Salary: £47,633 pa (+ £5,023pa London Weighting if applicable)
- 2 days a week in the office
- Flexible working-part time/compressed working considered
- Generous holiday allowance plus an excellent range of benefits
Interview Dates:
First stage interviews via Teams week commencing 23rd February
2nd stage interviews in person week commencing 2nd March
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 48 working hours.
Commitment to Diversity
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

