Prospect research assistant jobs in Bristol
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Grade: 4
Salary: £44,080 per year
Position Type: Full-time, 37.5 hours week, Permanent (flexible working considered)
Responsible to: Senior Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager
Direct reports: None
Location: Remote (UK), within reasonable commuting distance to London to accommodate regular donor meetings. This may be up to once a week. Additionally, there will be two trips per year to our HQ in Truro, Cornwall.
ROLE PURPOSE
Sitting within our Philanthropy & Partnerships team, you will play a pivotal role in securing the philanthropic support that makes ShelterBox's work possible. By identifying, qualifying and developing major donor opportunities from our supporter base, networks and wider community, you will help connect more people with our mission to ensure no one is without shelter after disaster.
At the heart of this role is building and strengthening the major donor pipeline. You will proactively analyse data, identify high-potential prospects, uncover valuable connections and work with colleagues across the organisation to create opportunities for supporters to deepen their engagement with ShelterBox. Through strategic prospect research, qualification and relationship building, you will help move individuals from initial interest to meaningful philanthropic partnerships.
Working closely with colleagues across Philanthropy & Partnerships, senior leadership, volunteers and key stakeholders, you will develop and implement tailored cultivation plans that create pathways to giving and maximise the long-term potential of prospective donors. You will support the delivery of bespoke engagement opportunities, proposals and communications drawing on ShelterBox's powerful humanitarian mission, compelling stories and tangible impact to engage diverse audiences and inspire long-term philanthropic support.
You will also play a key role in coordinating the Philanthropy Advisory Board and supporting events and activities that help expand networks, generate introductions and unlock opportunities to engage prospective major donors with ShelterBox's work.
Through strategic pipeline development, relationship building and effective use of data, insight and networks, you will help grow a thriving community of future major donors whose investment enables families affected by disaster, conflict and climate-related crises to access shelter, safety and a foundation for recovery.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We are looking for a proactive and strategic fundraiser with a talent for identifying opportunities, building relationships and developing a strong pipeline of future major donors.
You will be naturally curious and enjoy analysing data, researching prospects and uncovering opportunities to deepen engagement with existing supporters. Equally comfortable networking with supporters, volunteers, senior stakeholders, and professional contacts, you will be confident initiating conversations, and skilled at connecting people to ShelterBox's work whilst creating meaningful pathways towards philanthropy.
You will have excellent communication, influencing and project management skills, enabling you to coordinate multiple prospects, cultivation activities and stakeholder relationships simultaneously. Highly organised and confident using CRM systems, supporter insight and prospect research tools, you will be experienced in managing and progressing a pipeline, ensuring opportunities are effectively qualified, cultivated and moved through the donor journey.
This is an exciting opportunity for a major donor fundraiser who enjoys opening doors, creating new opportunities, building meaningful supporter engagement and converting warm prospects into committed philanthropic supporters whose generosity will help families affected by disaster.
DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
- Effectively manage a portfolio of major donors: developing strong and personal relationships, delivering bespoke stewardship and communication plans to ensure donors feel part of ShelterBox; providing them with inspiring stories, unique engagement opportunities, and strong impact reporting.
- Work with the ShelterBox team and key external influencers, connectors, partners and/or networks to grow and steward the major donor pipeline, cultivating relationships with new audiences.
- Develop a wide range of compelling communications for prospects and existing major donors including proposals, reports, and deliver concise and engaging updates via email, phone and in person.
- Work with the Senior Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager, Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships, Director of Fundraising and Communications, and CEO to steward to the top high-level donors.
- Working with the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships to refine and implement the major donor strategy.
- Work closely with the Stewardship and Research Officer and Philanthropy & Partnerships Assistant to carry out targeted prospect research, and develop bespoke and strategic cultivation plans for prospective donors currently in the pipeline.
- Support with the development and implementation of cultivation and stewardship events to deepen donor engagement and reach new audiences.
- Utilise the grant management system when securing restricted income (i.e. tracking pipeline, asks, restricted income secured, reporting requirements).
- Act as the subject matter expert (SME) to provide knowledge and expertise in major donor fundraising and the wider ShelterBox team (UK and global affiliates).
- Maximise the benefits of the CRM to create and implement cultivation and stewardship journeys for high-level funders, keeping records updated and following Data Protection regulations.
- Be active in the fundraising sector, know and follow the latest fundraising legislation and codes of practice, seek out peer learning and peer mentoring opportunities, network and contribute.
- Represent ShelterBox as required and always work in line with our aims, values and plans.
- As part of an emergency organisation there will be times when you will be required to work evenings and weekends at short notice in response to a disaster
- Any other duties as required which are deemed appropriate to the level and grade of the post.
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Registered Charity 
101 - 500
Thank you!
Application deadline: Sunday 30th August 2026, 23:59.
Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 4th September 2026, with an additional interview date on Tuesday 8 September 2026 if required.
For full job description and person specification, please see the attached documents.
Our values
Tackling homelessness requires systemic and societal change. Person-centred support helps people achieve better outcomes. Evidence and learning guide better decisions. When communities have a voice and take action, we can build stronger futures together.
Curiosity guides us to listen and understand the context, community needs and political environment.
Creativity drives us to remain open-minded and tailor solutions with fresh thinking.
Collaboration is key; we build relationships to strengthen our mission.
Tenacity ensures that we pursue lasting change with determination and patience.
Job Summary
As our Corporate and Community Partnerships Fundraiser, you will build meaningful relationships with businesses, community organisations and local people across Bristol, generating sustainable income and long-term support through corporates, community fundraising and events.
You will secure long-term, mutually beneficial income from the corporate sector across a range of disciplines and formats, including long-term partnerships, Charity of the Year, cause-related marketing and sponsorship. You will develop and secure new partnerships with Bristol's businesses, while nurturing and account managing existing partnerships.
Alongside this, the Fundraiser will grow support within the local community by developing relationships with organisations such as clubs, schools and faith groups. You will also encourage individuals, groups and organisations to support Caring in Bristol through community fundraising initiatives and events.
The Corporate & Community Partnerships Fundraiser will be responsible for researching key prospective sectors, companies and organisations, sector activities and the business marketplace, to compile lists of key targets, as agreed with the Public Fundraising Manager. You will develop and manage an ongoing pipeline of prospects, that have a clearly defined target outcome and value.
Personal Specification
We expect you to meet most of these criteria. However, we don’t expect you to meet every point and welcome applicants with transferrable skills and an ability to apply themselves in a new context.
Essential
- Proven experience securing fundraising income. Experience in corporate partnerships, community fundraising or events is preferred, although experience in other fundraising disciplines (such as trusts and foundations, major donors or individual giving) will also be considered.
- Excellent relationship and account management, networking and influencing skills, with the ability to inspire audiences and build and maintain strong partnerships.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write compelling fundraising proposals and deliver persuasive presentations.
- Ability to tailor your communications to a wide range of businesses, community organisations and individuals across a variety of formats and channels (phone, email, in person, public speaking, presentations, meetings).
- Ability to identify and develop creative fundraising opportunities that maximise income and supporter engagement.
- Strong research and prospecting skills, with the ability to identify and prioritise new opportunities.
- Good organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage a variety of tasks and workload and the ability to monitor opportunities arising.
- Excellent IT, numeracy and analytical skills.
Desirable
- Proven experience in a relevant business, not-for-profit, social enterprises/start-ups or charity setting with a proven track record of securing income or partnerships from corporates and/or community and events.
- Experience developing bespoke sponsorship, partnership or fundraising proposals and solutions for businesses and community groups.
- A solid understanding of modern fundraising techniques, including digital engagement and interaction.
- Experience and/or knowledge of CRM systems, preferably Donorfy.
- Knowledge of Fundraising Regulations and best practice, Data Protection and GDPR.
- Experience of managing a budget.
- Experience of working with volunteers.
#Community #Corporate #Partnership #Fundraiser #Homelessness #Bristol
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