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Job Title: Fundraising Manager
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £40,000
Hours per week: 28 hours 4 days per week
Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays (Pro Rota)
Role Description
The Senior Fundraising Manager will play a key strategic role in supporting the mission and ministry of St Edmundsbury Cathedral by developing and delivering a diverse range of fundraising activities, with a particular focus on Trusts and Foundations, major funding opportunities, donor stewardship and the growth of sustainable income.
Working closely with the senior leadership team, the role will identify and develop new funding opportunities, build strong relationships with Trusts and Foundations, and lead the preparation and submission of high-quality funding applications and reports. The postholder will also oversee the Cathedral’s Patron and donor relationships, legacy and regular giving activity, and provide strategic oversight of major fundraising events and initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Legacy and Appeals
- Support and develop the Cathedral’s legacy giving strategy, helping to encourage and secure gifts in wills.
- Work with colleagues and volunteers to develop appropriate legacy communications and stewardship activity.
- Provide strategic support for the delivery of fundraising appeals, including the biennial ‘Gift Day’.
- Review and evaluate fundraising appeals, identifying opportunities to improve engagement and income.
Trusts and Foundations
- Develop and implement a Trusts and Foundations fundraising strategy to increase income and diversify the Cathedral’s funding base.
- Research and identify new Trusts, Foundations and other institutional funding opportunities aligned with the Cathedral’s mission, ministry and strategic priorities.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective Trusts and Foundations, ensuring effective stewardship and ongoing engagement.
- Lead the development and submission of high-quality funding applications, working with colleagues across the Cathedral to gather relevant information, budgets, impact measures and supporting evidence.
- Maintain a comprehensive pipeline of funding opportunities, applications, deadlines and outcomes.
- Ensure funders receive timely, accurate and engaging updates on the impact of their support.
- Develop compelling cases for support and funding proposals for a range of projects and priorities.
- Support colleagues with grant applications where appropriate, providing guidance on funder requirements, application development and reporting.
- Monitor changes in the funding landscape and identify emerging opportunities for the Cathedral.
Donor Acknowledgement and CRM Management
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records in the fundraising CRM database, Donorfy, including donation history, communications and engagement activity.
- Ensure appropriate systems and processes are in place for effective donor stewardship and relationship management.
- Produce reports and analysis from Donorfy to support fundraising planning, decision-making and income monitoring.
- Ensure donors and Patrons are thanked and acknowledged appropriately and in a timely manner, including personal correspondence and letters from the Dean where appropriate.
- Use donor data and insight to identify opportunities for increased engagement, retention and income.
Planned and Regular Giving
- Work with the Planned Giving Committee to develop and implement a strategy for increasing regular giving.
- Develop communications that encourage supporters to become regular givers.
Patrons and Donors
- Manage and develop relationships with existing Patrons and key donors, ensuring high standards of engagement through regular communications, including e-newsletters, invitations and other appropriate engagement activities.
- Oversee the delivery of the Cathedral’s Patron events, including the Patrons’ Carol Service, Spring Trip and Summer Garden Party, working with colleagues to ensure events are delivered to a high standard.
- Monitor Patron membership, renewal dates and income, ensuring effective processes are in place for timely renewal communications.
- Work closely with the Finance Department to ensure Patron income and donations are accurately recorded and reconciled.
- Develop and implement strategies to grow the Cathedral’s Patron network and strengthen relationships with existing supporters.
- Identify opportunities to deepen donor engagement and develop supporters towards increased giving and longterm involvement with the Cathedral.
Major Fundraising Initiatives and Events
- Provide fundraising leadership and strategic oversight for major Cathedral fundraising initiatives and projects as required.
- Support the delivery team of the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn Project, providing fundraising expertise and advice as required.
- Oversee the fundraising strategy and income generation associated with major fundraising events, including the Grand Nave Autumn Ball, ensuring that events have clear fundraising objectives and deliver against agreed targets.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues responsible for event planning and delivery, providing strategic fundraising direction, supporter engagement and stewardship.
- Ensure that income and expenditure associated with fundraising events and initiatives are accurately recorded and monitored.
- Evaluate fundraising activity and provide recommendations to maximise future income and supporter engagement.
Strategy, Planning and Reporting
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the Cathedral’s overall fundraising strategy and annual fundraising plans.
- Set and monitor fundraising targets across relevant income streams, providing regular updates to senior colleagues and relevant committees.
- Use fundraising data, research and analysis to identify opportunities for growth and inform strategic decisionmaking.
- Prepare reports for senior leadership, Trustees and relevant committees as required. Work collaboratively across the Cathedral to ensure fundraising opportunities are identified and developed effectively.
- Ensure all fundraising activity reflects the mission, values and ethos of St Edmundsbury Cathedral and is undertaken with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
- Ensure compliance with relevant fundraising regulations, GDPR and data protection requirements, and best practice in donor stewardship.
- Support and develop a culture of fundraising across the Cathedral, encouraging colleagues to recognise and maximise opportunities for philanthropic support.
Person Specification
Essential Qualities
Qualifications
- Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional development in fundraising or a related field.
Experience
- Significant experience in fundraising or income generation roles, with a proven track record of securing income and meeting or exceeding fundraising targets.
- Proven experience of developing and managing relationships with Trusts and Foundations and other institutional funders.
- Demonstrable experience of researching funding opportunities and developing successful grant and funding applications.
- Experience of managing donor relationships and delivering effective stewardship and engagement programmes.
- Experience of developing and delivering fundraising strategies across a range of income streams.
- Experience of managing or overseeing fundraising campaigns, appeals or events.
- Experience of using fundraising data and CRM systems to support donor management, reporting and strategic decisionmaking.
- Experience of monitoring and reporting on restricted and unrestricted funding.
- Experience of preparing funding reports and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.
Knowledge
- Strong understanding of Trusts and Foundations fundraising and the wider fundraising landscape.
- Good understanding of a range of fundraising income streams, including individual giving, Trusts and Foundations, major donors, corporate and community fundraising.
- Knowledge of fundraising regulations, GDPR, data protection and ethical fundraising practices.
- Understanding of budgeting, financial planning and monitoring in relation to fundraising.
- Understanding of effective donor stewardship, cultivation and relationship management.
- Knowledge of the principles and importance of legacy and regular giving.
Skills and Abilities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce compelling funding proposals, cases for support, reports and donor communications.
- Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build credibility and maintain positive relationships with funders, donors, Patrons and colleagues.
- Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to identify and assess new funding opportunities.
- Excellent project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and funding applications effectively.
- Ability to use data and insight to inform fundraising decisions, monitor performance and measure impact.
- Ability to manage and maintain accurate records using a CRM system such as Donorfy.
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams and influence colleagues to support fundraising objectives.
- Ability to oversee and provide strategic direction to fundraising activities and initiatives.
Personal Qualities
- Highly motivated, proactive and results-driven.
- Strategic and creative thinker, with the ability to identify and develop new fundraising opportunities.
- Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
- Ability to work independently, use initiative and take responsibility for delivering agreed objectives.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and build effective relationships across the organisation.
- Resilient, flexible and able to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.
- Professional, trustworthy and committed to the highest standards of integrity and ethical fundraising.
- Commitment to the values and mission of St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
- Sensitive to the Cathedral’s core mission as a place of worship, outreach, welcome and care.
- Willingness to work varying hours for fundraising activities and functions, including occasional evenings and weekends, as required.
Desirable
Qualities Qualifications
- Relevant professional fundraising qualification, such as a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.
Experience
- Experience of working with high-net-worth individuals, major donors or philanthropic supporters.
- Experience of securing significant gifts or grants from Trusts and Foundations.
- Experience of fundraising within the Church of England or another faith-based organisation.
- Experience of working in a heritage, cultural, charitable or not-for-profit organisation.
- Experience of overseeing fundraising events or major fundraising initiatives.
Skills and Knowledge
- Knowledge of the funding landscape relevant to heritage, faith, community or charitable organisations.
- Experience of public speaking and presenting to donors, funders, committees or other stakeholders.
- Knowledge of legacy fundraising and planned giving.
- Experience of using Donorfy or a similar fundraising CRM system.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
It is our aim to be a centre for learning, both for the Christian faith and beyond.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About the team
The Philanthropy Team raises income for Impetus and for Impetus partner charities. The team consists of 15 staff. Impetus has an annual income of c.£11 million which we are looking to grow significantly within the next few years. The team is led by two Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships.
The Philanthropy Team works with major donors, corporates and grant making trusts, as well as collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure we make a compelling case to generate new financial commitments and wider support for our work. The team also deliver a high-quality engagement programme of volunteering and pro bono for Impetus’s corporate supporters.
Impetus is driven by a shared belief in tackling the barriers that hold back young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in education and employment. Alongside investing extensive financial and non-financial support in our charity partners through our Investment Team we also seek to influence decision makers to design and implement evidence led policy and direct new resources to get young people the support they need through our Public Affairs team. We are resolutely focused on outcomes, driven by quality evidence.
You would be joining a team that is passionate, ambitious, determined and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve.
About this role
The Engagement Manager is an experienced professional who plays a key role in supporting donor engagement across all Impetus donors, enabling the team to provide best practice and high-quality donor stewardship and a platform for the renewal of key philanthropic gifts.
The Engagement function is responsible for pro bono and volunteering. Reporting to the Head of Engagement, the Engagement Manager is responsible for supporting the successful delivery and continuous improvement of the volunteering programme, ensuring it delivers high-quality opportunities, contributes to agreed KPIs and evolves in line with the needs of funders and the organisation.
The postholder will account manage key relationships with mid-level supporters and internal stakeholders, working across teams to deliver meaningful and well-coordinated engagement opportunities. They will contribute to identifying and developing new opportunities for the volunteering and pro bono programmes that respond to funder interests and portfolio needs.
In addition, they will manage relationships with mid-level pro bono supporters, taking them through the full pro bono journey from project matching and onboarding through to stewardship and ongoing support.
This is a cross-functional role that collaborates closely with the Investment team, wider Philanthropy team, Public Affairs team and other stakeholders to ensure a consistent and excellent donor experience.
Key responsibilities
Volunteering programme
- Account manage relationships linked to volunteering across corporates, individuals and grant-making trusts, ensuring engagement is maintained and escalating strategic issues or risks where appropriate.
- Support or lead meetings, alongside fundraising account managers where appropriate, with funders to understand their volunteering interests and contribute to the development of suitable engagement opportunities.
- Support account managers in ensuring consistent donor engagement throughout annual giving cycles, including tracking, reporting, and communications.
- Contribute to the development of the volunteering function to ensure the programme offers a range of high-quality opportunities suitable for different funder types and aligned to organisational priorities.
- Identify and suggest new volunteering opportunities based on charity needs and funder interests, working with the Head of Engagement to ensure strategic alignment across the programme.
- Lead delivery of the mentoring programme within agreed plans and frameworks.
- Where necessary, support delivery of the volunteering programme (i.e workshops), ensuring it delivers high-quality engagement activities, contributes to agreed KPIs and continues to develop in response to organisational and funder needs.
- Build and manage effective working relationships across the Investment team, Philanthropy team and other stakeholders to ensure volunteering opportunities are well scoped, coordinated and delivered effectively.
- Work with the Head of Engagement to coordinate needs across the Engagement team, liaise closely with the Investment team and portfolio contacts, and plan and deliver a high-quality programme of volunteering opportunities.
- Ensure communications with donors and external partners are clear, timely, compelling and aligned with agreed messaging.
- Line manage the Engagement Officer, providing support, guidance and oversight to enable effective delivery. Where necessary, lead volunteering delivery sessions when cover is required.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in Salesforce, including pipeline activity, reporting and key relationship updates.
Pro Bono programme
- Support the identification, prospecting and conversion of new pro bono supporters, aligned with the needs of portfolio charities and Impetus, including attending meetings with prospective supporters.
- Manage relationships with mid-level pro bono funders, supporting delivery across the full engagement process from identifying suitable projects and matching opportunities through to onboarding, delivery and stewardship.
- Work with the Head of Engagement, internal teams and charity partners to scope projects and support matching pro bono funders to suitable opportunities.
- Support the onboarding and ongoing management of pro bono partners, ensuring clear communication and a high-quality supporter experience.
- Monitor the progress and quality of pro bono projects, gather feedback and identify improvements to strengthen delivery and impact.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in Salesforce, including pipeline activity, reporting and key relationship updates.
Other
- Support the development and implementation of efficient processes and systems within the Philanthropy team, with a focus on consistency and effectiveness.
- Work in line with best practices and agreed processes, policies and standards across all engagement activities.
- Share insights and learnings internally and externally to support continuous improvement.
- Work in line with Impetus’ strategy, policies, and procedures.
- Attend and support delivery of Impetus events as needed.
- Support the Philanthropy team as required with ad hoc duties.
- Provide cover for aspects of the Head of Engagement role when required.
- Represent the Philanthropy team in cross-functional projects and working groups, contributing to delivery and collaboration.
Person specification
Essential
- Experience of delivering or managing successful engagement, volunteering or fundraising activities, including tracking performance against objectives or KPIs.
- Familiarity with the fundraising landscape, including a good understanding of the corporate donor marketplace.
- Strong account management experience, including managing external partners or funders and building effective relationships across internal teams.
- Experience managing across the donor lifecycle, and identifying and developing opportunities that meet stakeholder needs.
- Experience of developing opportunities for diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to understand and communicate complex ideas and information, including Impetus model.
- Experience working with skilled volunteers or pro bono partners, including supporting relationships through the full lifecycle from scoping or matching through to delivery and stewardship.
- A collaborative working style, comfortable working across teams with a commitment to working in a collaborative and inclusive way to achieve shared objectives.
- Experience of managing and developing staff, including setting clear objectives, providing regular feedback and creating development opportunities. Able to adapt management style to support colleagues at different levels of seniority and experience.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience delivering workstreams or programmes within agreed plans and KPIs.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to devise donor engagement plans and use project/account plans, budgets, and other financial information.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and manager a busy and varied workload.
- Ability to look beyond own area of expertise and be pro-active and creative in problem solving.
- Ability to make operational decisions and escalate strategic issues where appropriate.
- IT proficiency, including Microsoft Office and CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce).
- A commitment to Impetus’ mission.
- A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Knowledge of the sector – education and employment.
- Knowledge and understanding of the needs of a young person, charities, and corporates.
- Experience of working with young people.
About Impetus
At Impetus, our focus is on helping young people achieve positive education and employment outcomes to increase their chance of leading fulfilling and successful lives, irrespective of their background.
We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:
- Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school
- Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths
- The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment
We use our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits working in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact on the young people they serve.
Through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change, we work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life.
We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.
You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.
Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.
Our Values
In 2022 the Impetus staff agreed the following set of Values to act as our guiding principles as an organisation and help us to remain focused on achieving our mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
We are brave and curious
We are bold and brave in our pursuit of better outcomes for young people. We lead with curiosity and stay open to new perspectives. We support one another to take considered risks and learn together.
We bring high trust, high challenge
We build strong, long-term relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity, and respect. We create the space for open, constructive challenge, where colleagues, partners and supporters feel safe to speak up, hold each other to account, and bring their best in pursuit of our mission.
We are evidence led and results driven for young people
We pursue excellence for the young people we work with, are wholly committed to better outcomes, unapologetically results driven, and accountable for our actions.
We thrive through diversity
We seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work. We are open, thoughtful and proactive in better understanding and challenging our assumptions to better deliver the change we seek.
We always seek collaboration
We will not succeed alone. We seek meaningful, productive partnerships with others to achieve our mission and drive systems change for young people.
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.
We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.
We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.
We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.
Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.
Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
Our employee benefits
Impetus appreciates the invaluable contribution made by all employees and wishes to encourage and reward loyalty, motivation and experience. We therefore offer a range of benefits and policies which aim to assist employees during various stages of their lives and careers. For more information on these, please download the job information pack from our website.
How to apply
Please click on the "Apply for this job" button.
You will need to:
- Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form).
- Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.
The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.
You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.
As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.
The deadline for applications is Sunday 23rd August 2026, 11:59pm.
Interviews:
1st Interviews will take place on w/c 31st August 2026.
2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 7th September 2026.
You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.
Personal Data
Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Impetus transforms the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by ensuring they get support to succeed in school, in work and in life.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.