Prospect research jobs

In this pivotal role as Prospect Research Manager at Diabetes UK, you will lead on managing prospect research, pipeline development, and adhere to best practice across income streams with a clear strategy that focuses on sourcing prospective high value donors to fund key strategic ambitions. One in 15 of us is now living with diabetes. Together, we have the opportunity to change this for the next generation. We are looking for someone who is a strategic thinker, analytical, organised in their approach and who can demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail in their work.   Join us and be part of something truly transformational as we change the narrative around diabetes and create a more inclusive world.

Family Education Trust is recruiting a Development Manager to turn evidence-led research into real-world impact for families across the UK. This is a rare opportunity to build a fundraising function from the ground up inside a respected policy organisation - with the autonomy to do it your way.

About the role

You will build and lead FET's income growth function, securing near-term unrestricted income while developing durable fundraising capacity. Your core focus is establishing a new major donor and mid-value programme and delivering a high-performing trusts and foundations pipeline.

We have streamlined administrative responsibilities so you can concentrate on what matters: income growth and donor relationships. You will work closely with our Communications Manager, who produces copy and assets for your fundraising brief.

What we are looking for

We need someone with recent, hands-on fundraising experience in a mission-led organisation who has built income, not just maintained it. Experience building a major donor pipeline is essential, along with trusts and foundations competence. You must have genuine personal alignment with FET's mission and established public positions on family policy.

The details

Salary: Up to £40,000, with flexibility for an exceptional candidate Location: Home-based, with UK travel as required Contract: Full-time, permanent Hours: 37.5 per week Annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays Pension: 5% employer contribution via salary sacrifice Closing date: 9am Monday 16 March 2026 

How to apply

Please read the full job description and person specification (attached) and send a CV and covering letter by 9am Monday 16 March 2026. Your covering letter should explain how you meet the essential criteria set out in the person specification.

Mission Without Borders UK are seeking an exceptional Major Donors, Trusts & Partnerships Manager to help drive our mission forward and make a lasting difference for children and families across Eastern Europe.

Mission Without Borders (MWB) is a Christian organisation working in some of the most challenging contexts in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine. We come alongside children, families, and communities living in poverty, offering practical, emotional and spiritual support, sharing the hope found in Jesus Christ to enable people to move towards self-sufficiency.

MWB UK is entering an exciting period of growth. With an ambitious five‑year plan underway, we are seeking to strengthen our work with major donors, charitable trusts, foundations, and Gift‑in‑Kind (GIK) partners to expand our impact and reach more people in need.

About the role

This is a pivotal and high‑impact role, perfect for a talented relationship‑based fundraiser who is motivated by purpose, strategy, and the power of partnership.

You will:

· Build and manage a strong portfolio of major donors, developing tailored engagement plans that inspire deep and long‑term support.

· Grow income from charitable trusts, foundations, and statutory funders through high‑quality applications and outstanding stewardship.

· Lead MWB UK’s Gift‑in‑Kind strategy, securing in‑kind products and managing the logistics journey from offer to delivery into field countries.

· Craft compelling proposals and impact reports that clearly articulate MWB’s vision and programme outcomes.

· Collaborate with passionate colleagues across MWB’s international network to identify funding priorities, shape supporter experiences, and maximise impact.

· Contribute strategically to MWB UK’s fundraising plans, spotting opportunities, and driving income growth.

This role blends hands‑on relationship management with strategic ownership.  This is ideal for someone who thrives on initiative, creativity, and wants to see their work translate into real, tangible change for vulnerable people.

About you

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

· Proven experience securing income from major donors and/or charitable trusts.

· Excellent relational skills with the ability to connect, inspire, and build trust.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills, including crafting persuasive proposals.

· A proactive, organised, detail‑driven approach with the ability to prioritise effectively.

· A genuine alignment with MWB’s Christian ethos and values.

If MWB’s vision is a cause that inspires you and the position fits with your skills, values and experience, then we would love to hear from you.

The position offers flexibility with a mix of home working and office based to be discussed. This is a full-time position, but we are open to hearing from candidates who can work a minimum of 4 days a week.

What we offer

· 30 days holiday per year

· Flexible working

· Employee Assistance Programme

· Pension scheme

· Opportunities to travel to projects in our field countries, as required

How to apply

Please send a covering letter of no more than 2 pages highlighting your reasons for applying and explaining your how your skills, experience and values align with the role.

Please see the Job Description below for more details.  If an informal conversation about the role would help, please call or email us.

We are actively interviewing as applications come in, so please apply now.

Role description:

The Senior Philanthropy Officer will play a key role in delivering ambitious income growth by securing philanthropic support from individuals, trusts and foundations, and corporate partners.

Managing a mixed portfolio of high-value prospects capable of making five-figure and above gifts and above, the postholder will cultivate, develop and steward long-term relationships as well as identify and secure new opportunities.

We are looking for a self-motivated and proactive Senior Philanthropy Officer who thrives on building strong, long-lasting relationships. You will be an excellent relationship builder, someone who is curious and able to identify opportunities to strengthen relationships, and who demonstrates resilience when working towards ambitious fundraising goals. You will convey a genuine passion for Southampton Hospitals Charity and feel confident sharing our vision and impact with others.

Main Responsibilities:

• Manage, grow and steward a mixed portfolio of individual major donors, trusts and foundations, and corporate partners capable of making five-figure gifts and above
• Identify and cultivate new high-value prospects, developing tailored engagement and solicitation strategies aligned to charity priorities
• Build strong, trusted relationships with donors, clinicians and senior hospital stakeholders to develop compelling philanthropic asks and stewardship reports
• Grow philanthropy pipeline, focusing on increasing multi-year support and improving the quality, volume and success rate of applications
• Support the Director of Income Generation and Marketing with the delivery of donor stewardship and cultivation events
• Work closely with colleagues across hospital engagement, community fundraising, legacy and in-memory giving and grants to ensure joined-up planning and delivery
• Maintain accurate records of donor engagement, pipeline activity and income forecasting using the CRM system
• Monitor trends in philanthropy, trusts and major giving, adapting approaches in response to changes in the external funding environment
• Act as a professional ambassador for Southampton Hospitals Charity, representing the organisation with credibility

Person Specification:

Knowledge and Experience

• Proven experience of securing philanthropic income at the five-figure level or above
• Experience working within a charity, NHS charity or not-for-profit organisation
• Demonstrable success in managing and developing relationships with major donors and/or trusts and foundations and/or corporate partners
• Experience of producing high-quality funding proposals, cases for support and impact reports
• Track record of managing fundraising portfolios and delivering income against targets

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate information clearly and compellingly
• Strong relationship-building skills, with confidence engaging clinicians, senior stakeholders and donors
• Outstanding organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• High attention to detail and strong project management capability
• Confident use of CRM systems and fundraising databases

Personal Qualities

• Self-motivated, proactive and able to work effectively on own initiative
• Collaborative and relationship-led, with a strong team ethos
• Professional, reliable and highly organised
• Resilient and adaptable
• Passionate about improving patient outcomes and supporting NHS staff

At Ambitious about Autism, we're currently looking for a Corporate Partnerships Officer (MAT cover) to join our Fundraising team.

You'll identify and cultivate corporate prospects, supporting on securing income through written application and pitches, whilst managing a portfolio of existing corporate partnerships. You'll build and maintain effective relationships to maximise corporate participation with current and prospective supporters.

You'll proactively identify funding opportunities and use your own initiative to make suggestions on our approach and/or suitable funding areas, devising innovative ways of accessing and engaging companies, as well as organising volunteering opportunities for corporate partners.

You will have:

• Experience of working successfully with corporate funders
• Experience of supporter relationship management with a track record in building successful relationships and raising funds from companies.
• Experience in accurate, timely data recording and CRM
• Excellent communication skills with good written and verbal communication.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chichester Festival Theatre has a strong track record of building long-term relationships with both local and national trusts, securing essential investment across areas including arts engagement, mental health, dementia care, education, heritage, inclusion and access.

With an established and credible trust base already in place, this role will be responsible for identifying new opportunities for growth, writing compelling bids and ensuring excellent stewardship of existing funders. Working closely with the Development Director and wider Development team, the postholder will help strengthen and expand CFT’s Trusts & Foundations portfolio, contributing directly to the theatre’s long-term financial sustainability and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and identify new Trusts & Foundations to build a strong funding pipeline.Write compelling, tailored funding applications
• Coordinate with internal departments to shape high‑quality, evidence‑based proposals.
• Track application progress, deadlines and reporting schedules.
• Provide outstanding stewardship to existing funders through reports, evaluations and updates.
• Manage invitations to cultivation events, press nights and project visits.
• Cultivate new prospects through Development Committee and trustee networks as well as proactive outreach.
• Process payments, receipts and acknowledgements via Spektrix.
• Work with Finance to reconcile restricted income.
• Attend supporter events, press nights and cultivation events as required (including evenings/weekends).
• Manage and oversee excellent trust administration.
• Contribute to annual Trusts strategy alongside the Development Director.

Essential Criteria

• Experience writing successful five and six figure bids.
• Strong relationship‑building skills with trustees and funders.
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and reporting requirements.
• Strong written communication skills adaptable for different funders.
• Proactive and collaborative approach.
• Ability to manage a minimum annual Trust income target of c£250,000.
• Understanding of impact reporting/evaluation.
• Desirable Criteria
• Experience in the arts or charity sector.
• Knowledge of Spektrix or similar CRM systems.
• Experience stewarding funders via events or project visits.

Please visit our website for full details.

Role Overview:
The Talent Set is delighted to be partnering with London’s Air Ambulance Charity on an exciting opportunity for a Prospect Research Manager. This pivotal role will lead strategic prospect research to support the charity’s ambitious fundraising objectives, delivering high-quality intelligence to strengthen relationships with high-net-worth individuals, trusts, foundations, and corporate partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, qualify, and prioritise new prospects, including major donors, trusts and foundations, and corporate organisations, using sector intelligence and advanced research tools.
• Develop, manage, and report on a robust prospect pipeline aligned with London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s fundraising strategy and priorities.
• Produce comprehensive prospect briefings, due diligence reports, network mapping, and sector insights to support fundraising activity.
• Collaborate closely with senior stakeholders to provide actionable insight to inform cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans.
• Maintain and enhance CRM systems, dashboards, and reporting processes to ensure data accuracy, accessibility, and effective prospect management.
• Manage external research suppliers and oversee in-house research resource, ensuring consistently high standards and value for money.
• Ensure compliance with data protection legislation and ethical fundraising standards, including GDPR requirements.
• Champion the values of London’s Air Ambulance Charity and promote strong cross-team collaboration to achieve shared strategic goals.

Person Specification:

• Significant experience in prospect research within the charity or fundraising sector, with a strong focus on major donors, trusts, and corporate partnerships.
• Strong working knowledge of prospect management systems and major gift fundraising principles.
• Proven ability to analyse complex data and translate insights into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Confident stakeholder manager, able to balance multiple priorities and build effective working relationships.
• Expertise in research methodologies, databases, due diligence, and capacity assessments.
• Sound understanding of GDPR, data protection policies, and ethical fundraising practice.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present insight clearly and persuasively.
• Highly organised, proactive, and discreet, with a strong eye for detail and deadline management.

What’s on Offer:

• Salary: £46,000
• Contract: Permanent
• Location: Hybrid – 2 days per week in London

How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for the role by clicking the Apply Now button (please do not apply via email). We aim to respond to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.

Commitment to Diversity:
The Talent Set is committed to inclusive and equitable recruitment practices. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and ensure equal opportunity regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to support candidates throughout the recruitment process.

Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Development, Alumni and Campaigns Office

Prospect Research Officer 
Ref: SC4931

Starting salary from £31,236 per annum, dependent on skills and experience, with an annual increment up to £37,694 per annum. 

UEA is advancing its ambitious £100 million Dare to Do Different Campaign, with Prospect Research playing a central role. We are seeking someone who can help drive transformational change.

In this role, you will work closely with our fundraising team to identify, research, and engage high‑quality prospects, helping to build a strong pipeline of major donor opportunities while upholding the highest ethical standards. Your insights will inform strategic fundraising aligned with the University’s key priorities.

The ideal candidate will be educated to at least A level (or equivalent qualification) or equivalent experience and have a good understanding of fundraising, along with strong research, organisational, and interpersonal skills.

You will join a collaborative, supportive team that takes pride in achieving excellent results. This is a valuable opportunity to make a lasting impact helping us meet campaign goals and shape UEA’s future.

This full-time post is available on an indefinite basis. 

UEA offers a variety of flexible working options and although this role is advertised on a full-time basis, we encourage applications from individuals who would prefer a flexible working pattern including annualised hours, compressed working hours, part time, job share, term-time only and/or hybrid working. Details of preferred hours should be stated in the personal statement and will be discussed further at interview.

Further information on our great benefits package, including 39 days annual leave inclusive of Bank Holidays and additional University Customary days, can be found on our benefits page.

Closing date: 16 March 2026

The University holds an Athena Swan Silver Institutional Award in recognition of our advancement towards gender equality.

We’re delighted to be recruiting a Prospect Research Manager for a brilliant health charity with ambitious plans to grow philanthropic income through major fundraising campaigns. 
This is a fantastic opportunity to play a central role in unlocking new funding opportunities, providing high-quality research and insight that will shape donor engagement and help secure transformational support.

You’ll be part of a high-performing development team working at the forefront of medical research, supporting scientists and clinicians making life-changing discoveries. Alongside a generous benefits package, you’ll gain exposure to high-value fundraising at principal gift level, and the opportunity to mentor and develop a junior team member.

Key Responsibilities:

• Devise and implement targeted prospecting strategies to identify and qualify high-net-worth individuals and corporates.
• Deliver insightful prospect briefings and research to inform cultivation and engagement strategies.
• Conduct due diligence and reputational risk assessments, ensuring compliance with data protection.
• Support fundraisers through prospect management, portfolio development and network mapping.
• Line manage and develop a Prospect Research Executive.

About You:

• Established experience in prospect research within charity or higher education sector, with a proven track record in identifying, assessing and qualifying major donor and/or corporate prospects. 
• Strong knowledge of research tools, data protection, and wealth/capacity ratings.
• Skilled communicator, able to present complex insights clearly and persuasively.
• Experience with CRM systems (ideally Raiser’s Edge NXT).

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, sexual orientation, disability, age, or gender. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

Job Purpose:

EMERGENCY ONG ETS (‘EMERGENCY’) is an independent non-governmental organisation. Headquartered in Italy, it provides free, high-quality medical and surgical treatment to victims of war, landmines and poverty. At the same time, it promotes a culture of peace, solidarity and respect for human rights.

Since its founding in 1994, EMERGENCY has worked in 21 countries around the world, providing free medical care in accordance with its core principles of equality, quality and social responsibility. We do this in a sustainable way: by building healthcare facilities, training local personnel, and conducting search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea.

As an affiliate, EMERGENCY UK has set out an exciting ambition to build on its success over the last three years. This includes a substantial growth in its income, with a particular focus on high value giving from philanthropists, trusts and other private donors. The aim is to implement the newly developed high value fundraising strategy, with a view to tripling current income levels from this source by securing high five and six figure gifts of both unrestricted and restricted income.

The purpose of the Development Manager is to build and maintain a portfolio of high value donors and prospects through proactive networking, identifying cultivation opportunities and thoughtful stewardship. With a focus range of £100,000 and above, the position will develop long-term, strategic partnerships with existing and potential high value supporters, where relationships and their impact will be measured from both a financial and non-financial perspective. 

The postholder must be able to work independently with minimal supervision and demonstrate a high degree of lateral thinking within a small but hard-working team.

Main activities:

1) To raise funds in the form of high value gifts (focusing on £100,000 and above) through a variety of methods, including regular face-to-face meetings, attending conferences and participating in other activities by implementing a comprehensive programme to identify, research, cultivate and solicit high value donors who have the potential for significant, multi-year giving.

In this context, the postholder will be required to spend a considerable amount of the working week out of the office travelling and meeting in person with potential donors and their representatives.   

2) To manage and develop meaningful donor relationships, including with existing donors, by utilising a wide range of methods, including stewardship events and networking amongst existing donors and their contacts.

3) To actively participate in the implementation of the current high value fundraising strategy, leading change and adjusting plans based on experience and realistic assessments in order to meet pre-agreed targets. This includes supporting the ongoing development of all aspects of the strategy, such as the case for support, prospect research, donor recognition opportunities and individual donor development plans for high value donors and prospects.

4) To contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of the team, taking a lead role in the annual planning and reporting process for high value donors, providing regular progress reports against income targets and ensuring high standards of accountability. This also includes ensuring written and electronic records of donors are maintained, in compliance with data protection legislation.

5) To represent, and act as an ambassador, for EMERGENCY UK at external events, promoting its work and values where and when possible.

Person specification:

• Senior level experience working with foundations, corporates, high and ultra-high net worth individuals, leading them from identification to giving annual and multi-year gifts at the high five and six-figure level
• Experience of working independently to identify and cultivate prospects and influencers who have the ability to make personal introductions to high and ultra-high net worth individuals
• Experience in implementing high value giving strategies and annual plans for high and ultra-high net worth individuals, including reporting on targets and KPIs
• Experience of identifying potential high value donors, qualifying prospects and managing/growing a high-level prospect pipeline
• Experience of working with restricted grant funding: submitting proposals, completing monitoring forms and reporting to donors
• Experience of working within the humanitarian and development sector is preferable
• Experience of working with multiple stakeholders in a complex, multi-cultural environment
• Experience of creating high-quality, high-level donor events and bespoke engagements
• Experience of using Salesforce or similar CRM products/fundraising databases

Essential skills:

• Excellent stakeholder and relationship management skills
• Ability to communicate complex themes and subjects in a compelling and engaging way in writing and verbally
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with an ability to motivate and engage high value donors and prospects in the work of EMERGENCY
• Strong understanding of restricted grant funding processes, including proposal development, monitoring, and reporting
• Knowledge and understanding of how to use influencers and connectors in the most effective way for the benefit of EMERGENCY UK and the wider organisation
• Ability to be flexible and work in a fast-moving environment, leading on a wide range of tasks and projects simultaneously
• A strong team player who treats colleagues with respect and courtesy at all times
• Knowledge of tax efficient giving in the UK, current data privacy legislation and other regulatory compliance issues
• Proficient in Microsoft Office. Experience using Salesforce is desirable.

The Philanthropy Manager will develop a philanthropy strategy, building on the partnerships and resources already in place. You will develop a pipeline backed up by robust prospect research (some administrative assistance will be provided), and instigate a cultivation and stewardship programme, typically adopting a staged approach to major asks.

You will be accountable for the acquisition, development, and stewardship of high value supporters for CUF, both individual philanthropists and non-statutory grant-making bodies. You will develop and strengthen relationships with existing donors, as well as identifying warm prospects currently not supporting CUF financially. A key part of your role will be meeting and engaging major donor prospects to grow the pool.

You will engage with Trustees and senior leaders, to identify and nurture Christian philanthropists and grant body decision-makers within their spheres of influence.

You will lead on developing cases for support and writing grant applications, helped by the wider staff team.

The successful candidate will be a self-starter with high levels of motivation, and the ability to both develop and operationalise strategy as a member of a small team. You will have a track record of successfully initiating, managing and developing relationships with High-Net-Worth individuals and grantmaking bodies, and securing donations and grants, via proposals or through face-to-face meetings, as required. 

How to apply

To apply, please email an up-to-date CV and covering letter (please note that only CV’s accompanied with a covering letter will be considered for shortlisting) outlining your relevant skills and experience, relating to the listed responsibilities and person specification to:

Closing date: 17:00 Monday 2nd March 26, with interviews to be held on 10th March 26 online.

We are looking for a fundraising manager whose core strengths are trusts and foundations fundraising, major donor cultivation, and excellent proposal writing.

The NCTJ is the guardian of the gold standard in journalism training. Through charitable initiatives including the Community Reporting Fund and Journalism Diversity Fund, we widen access to journalism careers, strengthen community reporting, and champion trusted journalism at a time when misinformation and public scepticism make high professional standards more important than ever.

Diversifying and growing charitable income is a strategic priority for NCTJ. Following the development of our fundraising strategy, this role will focus on building and growing income from UK trusts, foundations and high net worth supporters. You will have the autonomy to shape the grants and major donor pipeline.

Corporate partnerships are led primarily by our Head of Business Development. This role focuses on grants, major donors and stewardship.

About the role

You will:

• Research and manage a strong pipeline of trusts and foundation prospects
• Write and submit high-quality, tailored grant applications and expressions of interest
• Develop compelling cases for support, budgets, outcomes and proposal templates
• Build and manage major donor/high net worth pipeline through warm networks
• Lead on donor cultivation and follow-up
• Strengthen stewardship and reporting so funders feel valued and close to the impact
• Use HubSpot CRM to track pipeline, deadlines, reporting and performance

About you

You will have:

• A strong track record in trusts and foundations fundraising
• Experience securing substantial grants (five-figure and above)
• Excellent proposal and case for support writing skills
• Experience working with major donors/high net worth supporters (or strong transferable relationship-led fundraising experience)
• Strong organisation and CRM discipline
• Confidence working with senior leaders

Experience in journalism, media, education, social mobility or EDI is welcome but not essential. It is vital that you support the critical role professional journalists play in our democracy.

Benefits

• Salary c £40,000 (£37,000-£43,000) depending on experience
• Pension: 5% employer and 5% employee contribution
• Annual leave of 25 days plus bank holidays
• Discretionary bonus based on company performance
• Life cover
• Training and career development

How to apply

Please apply with your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 1,000 words total) addressing the following:

1. Trusts and foundations track record (300 words)
   Describe one trust or foundation grant of £30,000+ that you personally led. Include who the funder was, what the project was, how you shaped the proposal to meet their criteria, and the outcome.
2. Proposal writing approach (250 words)
   When starting a new funding application, what are the first five things you do before you begin writing? Please be specific.
3. Working with senior stakeholders and impact information (250 words)
   Give an example of how you worked with colleagues, senior leaders or contacts to gather the information needed for a funding proposal or donor meeting. What did you do and what was the result?
4. Interest in journalism and the NCTJ mission (200 words) What is it about the NCTJ’s work, values and mission that interests you, and why do you think it is important at this point in time for journalism and society?

Your supporting statement is an important part of the assessment for this role. We are looking for evidence of your own proposal-writing style, experience and judgement. Generic or highly templated responses are unlikely to score well.

Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a short writing exercise as part of the interview process.

About the NCTJ

The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) is the charity at the heart of journalism education and training in the UK. We are the guardian of the gold standard in journalism training and qualifications, and we champion equality, diversity and inclusion so that journalism is accessible to people from all backgrounds.

Through charitable initiatives including the Journalism Diversity Fund and the Community Reporting Fund, we widen participation in journalism, support community reporting, and strengthen trusted journalism at a time when misinformation and public scepticism make high professional standards more important than ever.

NCTJ is financially stable and widely respected within the industry. However, diversifying and growing charitable income is a strategic priority for 2026–27. We have developed our first fundraising strategy to support sustainable growth and impact, and this role is central to delivering it.

Purpose of the role

This is a specialist role focused on securing and stewarding funding from trusts and foundations and developing a pipeline of major donors and high net worth supporters, underpinned by exceptional proposal writing and strong relationship management.

Corporate partnerships are led primarily by the head of business development. This role will support corporate fundraising through proposal/case development and stewardship where needed, but the primary focus is securing charitable grants and major donors.

Key responsibilities

1) Trusts and foundations fundraising

• Build and manage a strong pipeline of UK trust and foundation prospects that advance NCTJ’s charitable priorities (including diversity, community reporting, and training for a fast-changing media industry).
• Develop and maintain a grants calendar and tracking system, including deadlines, funder preferences, decision timelines, and reporting requirements.
• Write and submit high-quality, tailored grant applications and expressions of interest, working to agreed targets and timescales.
• Develop a suite of core fundraising materials (case for support, programme proposals, budgets, outcomes and evaluation narrative, boilerplate and templates) to increase quality and consistency across submissions.
• Confidently communicate the NCTJ’s purpose and impact through presentations, reports, and digital content and represent the NCTJ at meetings and events, both virtually and in person.
• Build and maintain strong funder relationships, ensuring excellent stewardship, timely reporting and opportunities for renewal and uplift.

2) Major donor / high net worth giving

• Work with the senior team to identify major donor prospects through networks and sector connections.
• Undertake proportionate prospect research and build a high-quality cultivation pipeline.
• Create tailored donor proposals and impact statements that support donor interests while advancing NCTJ priorities.
• Support cultivation meetings with briefs, materials, follow-up and stewardship plans, tracking all activity in CRM.

3) Impact, storytelling and stewardship

• Work closely with programme and communications colleagues to gather impact data, case studies and beneficiary stories to strengthen proposals and reporting.
• Develop and deliver a clear plan for thanking trusts and major donors, keeping them updated on impact, and staying in regular contact.
• Use NCTJ events and industry milestones as stewardship and cultivation opportunities, coordinating targeted follow-up and relationship management.

4) Systems, reporting and evaluation

• Maintain excellent data quality and discipline in HubSpot CRM, including prospect stage, relationship owner, next actions, submissions, reporting deadlines and contact history.
• Produce clear pipeline and performance reports for the HoBD/chief executive (eg, submissions, conversion rates, forecast, learning and next steps).
• Contribute to quarterly review sessions to evaluate progress and refine approach.

5) Collaborative working

• Build strong working relationships across the charity and its stakeholders to translate NCTJ’s work into fundable propositions and well managed projects ensuring effective delivery of programmes through cross functional collaboration.
• Bring innovative and creative concepts to the team, and develop valuable programmes and initiatives which add to the NCTJ’s new income stream.
• Contribute to shared messaging that reflects NCTJ’s mission: high standards, quality, trusted journalism, accessibility and measurable EDI impact.

Person specification

Essential

• Significant experience in trusts and foundations fundraising, including writing successful applications.
• Proven track record of securing substantial grants (five-figure and above, including multi-year where possible).
• Outstanding proposal and case for support writing skills (clear structure, persuasive narrative, strong budgets/outcomes, and tailoring to criteria).
• Strong pipeline management skills and ability to deliver multiple submissions to deadlines.
• Experience cultivating and stewarding major donors/high net worth individuals (or strong transferable relationship-led fundraising experience).
• Strong CRM capability and reporting discipline.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience strengthening fundraising systems, templates and stewardship processes.
• Experience in education, media/journalism, social mobility, EDI or local/community development.

Personal attributes

• A high-quality writer who takes pride in precision, tone and evidence.
• Proactive, organised and accountable.
• Warm, credible and professional with funders and senior stakeholders.
• Motivated by widening access, high standards, and trusted journalism.

The Wave Project is seeking a Trust & Grant Fundraiser to help secure the income that powers our life-changing Surf Therapy programme, supporting over 2,600 children and young people each year with their mental health and wellbeing.

As part of an ambitious fundraising team generating £1.7m annually, you will manage and grow a portfolio of charitable trusts and foundations, securing grants ranging from smaller awards to significant six-figure gifts. You will develop compelling, impact-driven applications and reports that clearly demonstrate how funders’ support transforms young lives.

Working closely with the Head of Fundraising, you will strengthen existing funder relationships while building a robust pipeline of new prospects. Using digital fundraising tools and research platforms, you will identify and qualify new trust opportunities, combining data-led insight with creative engagement approaches.

This role is ideal for someone who is a strong writer, confident relationship manager, and proactive prospect researcher — motivated by the opportunity to expand access to Surf Therapy for children and young people who need it most.

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