Research grants manager jobs

All of us at The Talent Foundry believe that a young person's success should be determined by the talents and abilities they have, not where they come from.

Our vision is to spark ambition and unlock opportunity so that every young person can succeed and thrive as part of a fairer society. 

We are proud of our long-term, transformational partnerships with business. This pivotal role in our newly established engagement team has been created to support our next phase of growth and ambition.

This is a broad and dynamic position which will have responsibility for the successful development and implementation of The Talent Foundry’s engagement strategies across fundraising, marketing and communications. 

Head of Engagement (fundraising and marketing)

You will be an ambitious fundraising leader committed to supporting our new vision - to support 1 million young people in the next five years - by developing and implementing exciting ways of engaging our key stakeholders - educators, supporters, volunteers and young people.

Read more about the responsiblities of this role and how to apply in our application pack. 

This is both a strategic and hands-on role, with specific responsibility for cultivation, stewardship and increasing our fundraised income through major gifts and philanthropy, across individuals, grant and trust funders and corporate foundations. 

Your experience: 

• Track record in fundraising - either from a major gifts, philanthropy or trusts and foundations background
• Excellent communications and engagement skills 
• Ability to propose, initiate and execute ideas and quickly respond to opportunities
• Team management 

This is a hybrid role with travel expected to meet with colleagues, funders and visit our projects in schools and partner offices. You do not have to live in London to apply for this role, but before applying, please consider what you would consider a reasonable commute from where you live to our team together days with take place every month. You can read more about our approach to hybrid working in our application pack. 

Other benefits:

• 28 days holiday + bank holidays
• £500 L&D budget
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Morning/afternoon of your birthday off

Salary: £41,515.18 per annum
Reporting to: Head of Finance
Contract: 35 hours per week
Location: Flexible (UK)
 
Who we are
 
Unlimit Health is an international organisation working to end parasitic disease. We work closely with affected countries, sharing evidence and expertise to eliminate preventable infections. Our purpose is to support people to live healthy lives, free from limiting disease. 
 
Our vision is for resilient systems that sustain good health, so everyone everywhere can reach their full potential. We achieve this by working across multiple sectors in numerous countries to deliver effective and robust health programmes that have a lasting impact.  
 
We were founded in 2002 with a £20m grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and started life as a research group, the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, within Imperial College London. Consistently ranked globally as one of the most cost-effective non-profit initiatives, we have received significant funding since our inception including from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), USAID and philanthropic investors. 
 
What we do
 
Our work includes: 

• Evidence-based disease elimination support 
• Cross-sectoral health systems strengthening 
• Building collaborative partnerships 

 
Our main area of focus is the elimination of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases (intestinal worms). Endemic infections of these parasitic worms are found in some of the world’s most marginalised communities, and they can have a hugely detrimental effect on individuals, including:  

• Reduced productivity 
• Internal organ damage 
• Impaired child development 
• Reduced school attendance 
• Increased risk of HIV in women 
• Infertility

 
The role
 
This is an exciting role, to liaise and support partner organisations to ensure accounting records are complete, accurate, and up to date, coded correctly on UH’s cashbooks and reconciled against bank statements. You will also provide technical support to partners’ finance staff and train them on the use of the cashbooks and financial reporting to UH.
 
You will be educated to degree level and have basic speaking knowledge of the French language. You will have experience in a fast-paced and complex finance role. You should have experience of working with technical accounting packages as well as experience in financial planning and monitoring.
 
The role is fast-paced and complex, and the ideal candidate will need to have proven inter-personal skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to assess priorities, organise workloads and initiate action and problem solve.

To apply
 
To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the role according to the job description and person specification.
 
Closing date: 27th July at 23:59pm
Screening Interview: W/C 28th July
Interview dates: W/C 4th August
 
Please ensure you are available to attend an interview on these dates.
 
Applicants are required to have the right to work in the UK, and documentary evidence will be requested at the interview stage.
 
Diversity Statement
 
We particularly welcome applications from candidates from under-represented groups to better reflect our mission and work to improve health equity. Research has shown that women and people from marginalised groups are less likely to apply for a role if they do not meet 100% of the job criteria. Please consider applying even if you do not fully meet our essential criteria. We are happy to schedule an informal chat to discuss the role further prior to submitting an application.
 
Unlimit Health is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate differences in age, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, religious beliefs, and socio-economic background. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member is valued, respected, and has equal opportunities to thrive.
 
Unlimit Health is an international organisation working to end parasitic disease.
 
We work closely with affected countries, sharing evidence and expertise to eliminate preventable infections. Our purpose is to support people to live healthy lives, free from limiting disease.
 
REF-222446

The Iona Community is seeking an inspiring Fundraiser to help secure and grow our financial sustainability as we live out our vision of justice, peace, and renewal of worship around the world. This is an exciting opportunity to build strong relationships with funders and donors, grow a culture of giving, and lead a new Fundraising Team to support our diverse work — from peacemaking and social justice to youth and environmental projects, and the care of our historic island properties. If you’re self-motivated, a great communicator, and share our values, we’d love you to join us in this vital role.

This is a brand new role with Action Duchenne, leading our new Fundraising and Communications team. This role is part of the Senior Leadership Team.

Applications close at 9am on Monday 21st July 2025, with interviews likely to take place in the weeks commencing 28th July and 4th August 2025. To apply, please click 'Apply', where you will be redirected to our application form.

Main Purpose of the Role:

To manage, lead and support the Fundraising and Communications Team to retain donors, increase income and provide clear direction for our communications. This role will involve supporting relationships with sponsors of Action Duchenne’s International Conference, developing and implementing the fundraising and communications strategy, and reviewing our case for support for our core work and projects.

Specific Tasks:

The focus areas and key deliverables of this role are as follows:

• Develop and deliver on a clear fundraising and communications strategy, with annual action plans and clear objectives and KPIs for team members.

• Understand and keep abreast of sector trends and compliance updates relating to fundraising and communications

• Develop and maintain oversight of all budgets, targets, forecasts and processes relating to fundraising and communications

• Co-ordinate the prioritising of income streams, including community, individual giving, corporate, legacy and trust and grants

• Research, identify, and where there is capacity, pursue income generation opportunities that match the objectives of Action Duchenne

• Ensure Action Duchenne is compliant with all applicable elements of the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice, law, and the Charity Commission relating to fundraising

• Research, identify and apply to Trusts and Foundations with a clear pipeline

• Prepare reports for Trustees either for the full Board, or where required, to sub committees, which will include fundraising and communications progress against objectives.

• With a team keen to learn, provide leadership and hands on support to ensure objectives are achieved

• Undertake a review of all Communications materials, including social media and website

• Lead by example across the team and organisation

• Be part of, and therefore contribute towards and prepare for Senior Leadership Team meetings

• Identify existing or potential events to develop relationships with funders, including Action Duchenne’s annual international conference

• Feed in to the development of the international conference, led by the Head of Operations & Events

• Work with staff across the organisation to ensure all elements of work are collaborative, specifically when submitting funding bids or developing the annual international conference

• To maintain the contact database, keeping it up to date and accurate

• Continue to invest in professional development in yourself and your team, including safeguarding

• Identify opportunities, alongside the team, for cross team working - including residentials; family events; Science Educations workshops with regional meetups and education visits to schools and local authorities.

• Obtain, decipher and provide training to the Support Team on new updates relevant to Duchenne families, such as DLA, EHCP and more.

• Work closely with your team, to ensure that each family receives the best support possible, and that long-term support is provided.

• Lead on the development and delivery of monthly reporting of engagement and support contact, which will feed into the wider All Through Support journey. 

• To work with the Head of Operations and Events to contribute to Agenda topics and speakers from the community; assign roles for the conference to the Support Team.

• Establish a database for external stakeholders also supporting those living with Duchenne on a national basis, fed in to from the Support Team.

• To develop a triaging and caseload process for the Support Team, and how best to regularly monitor this.

• Be involved in the recruitment, selection, and induction of volunteers appropriate to your area of work. 

• Coordinate cover for the Support Team when there is sickness or leave.

Further details can be found on the person specification attached.
Action Duchenne is committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills and experiences. We encourage applicants from all sectors of the community and are especially keen to encourage candidates with relevant lived experiences and those from under-represented groups to apply.

The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is looking to hire a new member of staff to help co-ordinate and deliver the Finding Futures for Scotland’s Churches project.

Working closely with Scotland’s Churches Trust, this role will assist the Research Officer to work with communities to collate existing country-wide information on both the heritage and community value of Scotland’s churches. The role will help identify knowledge and data gaps, carry out heritage surveys and engage community-representative groups to undertake a community value assessment applying the University of Stirling’s Social Value Toolkit. It will also involve supporting the set up and administration of a network of key stakeholders.

These unique and rewarding freelance audit opportunities would suit experienced experienced audit professionals that are flexible, love diverse travel experiences, supporting worthwhile causes and inspiring people. AfID is recruiting on behalf of a leading specialist in international NGO grant audit services for development donors such as the UN and the World Bank. Assignments would suit experienced qualified audit professionals with grant audit / management experience, ideally in a not-for-profit/ international development context

Role overview.

Complete international grant expenditure audits for a diverse range of projects (grant recipients) funded by international donor institutions ranging from emergency aid, to long term development in areas such as agriculture, health or infrastructure or technical research. Assignments are 1-3 weeks in length and based across the European mainland and the developing world. These are offered on an assignment by assignment basis, one to two months in advance.

Contractors can be based outside the UK 

Requirements

• Qualified ACA / ACCA or equivalent – 5+ years post qualified experience
• Grant management and audit and reporting experience with international institutions. Preference given to individuals that have worked on UN or EC grant assurance assignments
• Diplomacy and cultural sensitivity while working with a hugely diverse range of clients and beneficiaries
• A real interest in international development and associated funding structures
• Ideally professional/ fluency in a second language such as Spanish, German, French, Portugese
• Excellent communication, report writing and presentation skills in English.
• Resilience and adaptability

​ Personal attributes:

• At least 5-10+ years of relevant audit experience
• Ability to work under pressure; Strong planning, organisational and time management skills
• Sound technical and analytical skills, report writing and presentation skills

Passionate about international travel and development and willing to work in international locations. Individual must be prepared to travel to challenging locations when it is deemed safe to do so. Individuals must also be able to demonstrate effective past working practices when working remotely with a range of clients. 

Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies.

We support children and young people (up to the age of 25) When someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying.

We provide training to professionals in health and social care, education, and the voluntary and corporate sectors, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.

Trusts and Statutory Fundraiser
Hours: 35 hours per week
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Reporting to: Head of Trusts and Grants
Base: Home based

Role Summary

An exciting opportunity has become available for a talented and enthusiastic Trusts and Statutory Fundraiser to join a high performing and friendly fundraising team.

As a key member of the Trusts and Grants Team, the Trusts and Statutory Fundraiser will work closely with the Head of Trusts and Grants to raise funds from a portfolio of charitable trusts in accordance with Child Bereavement UK’s budgets and targets.

We are looking for someone with proven experience of generating income from trusts and foundations.

You will have:

• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to write researched, powerful and compelling copy
• Excellent research skills to identify prospective funders
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Experience working with commissions is desirable but not essential

This role comes at a particularly important time for CBUK when the charity is looking to evolve and grow services, diversify into new areas, and raise significant funds for ongoing work. The Trusts & Grants Team are a vital part of the charity’s expansion into new areas, and the post-holder will have the opportunity to work with frontline staff to develop new projects and bids.

Child Bereavement UK offers a generous package of benefits including an employee assistance programme, 5% pension contribution and life assurance scheme.

Closing Date: Friday 11 July 2025
Initial interviews to be conducted on Zoom w/c 21 July 2025

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Child Bereavement UK is committed to creating a safe and welcoming atmosphere for everyone, and one that challenges all forms of oppression or discrimination including those based on age, gender or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity leave, disability, race (which includes nationality, citizenship, ethnic or national origins), religion/faith or belief, sexual orientation (collectively known in law as the ‘protected characteristics’), as well as any oppression or discrimination based on other physical characteristics or impairments, occupation, income, wealth, or unrelated criminal convictions.

Registered in England and Wales: 1040419 and Scotland: SCO42910.

No agencies please.

London Play is seeking a part-time Partnership Fundraiser to lead on securing income to support its vital work, in particular through strengthening and developing its partnership with London Play Design. This is a flexible and autonomous role, ideal for an experienced professional with a strong background in fundraising strategy, relationship-building, and making grant applications.

About London Play (LP)

London Play is a small, influential charity with a mission to ensure that every child in London has the time, space and freedom to play outside every day, close to where they live. In a crowded city, the availability of safe, accessible places to play is under constant threat. We work with groups across the capital to help them provide more and better play opportunities for children, as well as advocating and campaigning for play as an essential part of a healthy childhood. Supporting and promoting London’s unique staffed adventure playgrounds is also a key focus for our work.  

About London Play Design (LPD)

London Play Design is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company and social enterprise established in 2017, formerly a department within London Play. We specialise in designing and improving community play spaces across London. With a deep commitment to play, we aim to create vibrant, engaging, and safe environments for children and families, underpinned by community involvement and sustainable practice.

Job Description

We seek a skilled and proactive fundraiser to support LP in submitting funding applications to support its partnership with LPD and developing long-term fundraising capacity. The first key task will be to collaborate with both organisations to create a strategic fundraising plan aligned with our programmes, with a strong emphasis on championing play and supporting adventure playgrounds in continuing their essential community work.

Key responsibilities will include developing and implementing a fundraising strategy to secure income from a diverse range of sources; and researching, identifying, developing and submitting funding applications and proposals to relevant trusts, foundations and other grant-making bodies.

The ideal applicant will have at least five years’ experience in fundraising, donor development, or grant writing – ideally including partnership arrangements – as well as a demonstrable understanding of the value of play and the outcomes it contributes to for children and for communities. They will be highly organised, with exceptional written and verbal communication skills and a proven ability to achieve income targets and meet application deadlines.

For more details download the job description and person specification below.

We believe that a diverse workforce drives innovation and better decision-making and are actively seeking to build a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives.  We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those from underrepresented groups.

Are you ready to take the next step in your career, supporting a vital service that makes a real difference every day?

The Support Fund Team Leader plays a vital role in the smooth and effective running of our Support Fund Team at the MND Association. This is a key position, responsible for assisting the Support Fund Manager, co-ordinating daily tasks for the team, and helping to deliver a high-quality service to people living with and affected by MND. It calls for strong leadership, a thoughtful and supportive approach, and confidence working with people, data, and processes in a busy and rewarding environment.

The MND Association has provided over £1.5 million in support so far this year to around 2,000 people with MND. Demand is increasing, this role will be crucial in helping achieve further impact!

Key Responsibilities:

• Co-ordinate the rota and operational duties of the Support Fund Team
• Provide the team with support and supervision on a day-to-day basis
• Deliver training to new staff and provide mentoring to existing team members
• Act as the first point of contact for complex queries and support cases
• Oversee the processing of support grant applications in line with organisational policies
• Ensure accurate, up-to-date records are maintained and administrative procedures followed
• Support the team to make best use of our CRM system and improve internal processes
• Collaborate with the Partnerships Team to build relationships with other charities and support agencies to identify opportunities for joint working to help drive innovation
• Monitor service delivery standards and take action to improve quality where needed
• Promote safety and wellbeing, addressing risks and safeguarding concerns as required
• Maintain confidentiality in line with data protection policy and organisational values

About You:

• Skilled at leading and motivating teams, with experience as a team leader
• Able to build effective relationships and communicate with sensitivity and tact
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced setting and meeting tight deadlines
• Experienced in using case management systems and working with data
• Confident in interpreting and presenting statistical information clearly
• Knowledgeable about safeguarding and data protection processes and how to apply them

About Us:

Our vision is a world free from MND. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND. The Association also campaigns and raises awareness so the needs of people with MND, and everyone who cares for them, are recognised, and addressed by wider society.

What We Offer:
 

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays.
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies.
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video.
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines.
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave).
• Access to Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping.
• Enhanced pension scheme.
• Opportunities for training and personal development.
• Hybrid working.

The full job description is available in the candidate pack.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders.

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

Hybrid Working and Flexibility: This role offers hybrid working, with the expectation to attend the office a minimum of 2 days per week, with the requirement to attend 3 days per week during the initial induction and training period, with flexibility to attend more regularly in line with business needs. We are open to part-time applications or job shares – please indicate your preferred working arrangement in your application.

How to apply:

Please submit a CV and supporting statement. Your supporting statement should be no longer than one side of A4 and demonstrate how you meet the following areas of the role.

• Excellent team leader and people supervision skills with the ability to motivate staff
• Good relationship building skills and the ability to be tactful, diplomatic and sensitive to the needs of others
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively to changing needs, service requirements and to meet tight deadlines

Important Information:

• We may close applications early if we receive a high volume, so early submissions are encouraged.
• If you require sponsorship for this role, please clearly indicate this in your application.
• Depending on the role, a DBS check may be required.
• If you need reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us for support.
• We are happy to consider alternative application formats for those who find the online form challenging.

This new role at Young Sounds UK will provide a wide range of support across the organisation, managing the logistics for our events, assisting our Development team with vital fundraising tasks, and handling a wide range of organisational administration.

You'll need to be proactive, highly organised, and looking for a busy role within a passionate team. With at least 3 years experience you'll be keen to use your strong communication skills and attention to detail to provide high standards of administrative support.

For full information on this role, including key responsibilities and person specification, please view the job pack.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 15 July 2025 at 12 noon.

About Young Sounds UK 

Young Sounds UK exists because musical talent is everywhere but opportunity isn’t: family finances and other obstacles too often get in the way. We’re here to change this in two key ways:

• We support young musicians from low-income families with funding and other help 
• We support music education through training, advocacy and research.

Established in 1998 we work across genres and across the UK. Our four programme areas are: 

• Discover: training teachers in how to spot young people’s musical potential 
• Connect: targeting and sustaining young people’s emerging talent through strategic support
• Thrive: funding young talent UK wide through annual grants and tailor-made help for individual musicians
• Innovate: leading new thinking and action on talent development

About the role

Northern Ireland has an amazingly rich heritage of church and chapel buildings that we want to see well maintained, valued and in use. We’re looking for a Support Officer – based in Northern Ireland – who can help us to complete the delivery of our pioneering The National Lottery Heritage Fund project. This role will support churches of all denominations with maintenance and tourism advice, training and events and be a key contact for churches looking for heritage support in Northern Ireland.

This is a fixed-term role until the end of April 2026, with the possibility of an extension. The role is full-time (35 hours per week); part-time will be considered for the right candidate. You will be home-based in Northern Ireland, with occasional travel to London.

About the National Churches Trust

As an integral part of the UK’s heritage, we want to keep the UK’s wonderful collection of church buildings well maintained, valued and in use. Working on the ground in all four nations, we support churches of all denominations with the challenges and opportunities they face. Our vision is to see open churches thriving at the heart of their communities.

Our mission

• We Speak Up: churches are valued and supported
• We Build Up: churches are well maintained, adaptable and in good repair
• We Open Up: churches are sustainable, open and welcoming support

Our values

• Being straightforward in responding to others’ needs
• Providing support that makes a difference
• Joining forces to achieve greater impact
• Driving change that brings our vision closer

You can find out more about our pioneering Treasure Ireland project on our website.

To find out more about the role and apply, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: Midnight on Tuesday, 15 July 2025.
Interview dates: Monday, 11 / Tuesday, 12 / Wednesday, 13 August 2025, in person in Northern Ireland (date and venue TBC).

Chalk Streams in the City Development Lead (Maternity Cover)

Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week) or part time (30 hours per week over 4 days)

Contract: Fixed term contract of 12 months

Area of work: Predominantly in the London area

Are you passionate about connecting people with nature and empowering communities to protect rivers? Do you have experience delivering engaging volunteering and citizen science programmes that inspire real environmental action? Join us and play a pivotal role in restoring London’s rare urban chalk streams.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and motivated community engagement professional to take a leading role in the Development Phase of Chalk Streams in the City, an exciting National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported initiative. This project will restore 75 km of rare urban chalk stream habitat and connect over 20,000 people with their local rivers through hands-on conservation, education, and citizen science.

As Development Lead, you will shape the Trust’s first Engagement Strategy, coordinate an extensive community consultation programme, and manage the London Volunteering and Engagement Programme. You will also oversee delivery partners and help develop a major funding application for the next phase of work. This is a unique opportunity to gain experience in strategic project management, collaborative programme design, and large-scale heritage funding.

This is a rare opportunity to take on a strategic leadership role within a nationally significant project, gaining valuable experience in programme design, partnership working, and heritage lottery funding. Though fixed-term, it offers exceptional scope to develop your portfolio, broaden your network, and make a lasting contribution to environmental engagement and river restoration.

Working at the South East Rivers Trust is rewarding, fulfilling and fast-paced. We collaborate with energy and professionalism, guided by our values of delivering high-quality work, using expertise and science, building strong relationships, and bringing positivity and integrity to everything we do. If this sounds like the right environment for you - we’d love to hear from you.

This project is made possible with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Please see the full Chalk Streams in the City Development Lead job description for more information.

How to apply:

Please send us the following documents; instructions are on our website

• Your CV
• a completed application form
• Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form (optional)

The deadline for application is 11:59pm on Sunday 20th July 2025.  We reserve the right to close the recruitment early.

Interviews will be potentially w.c. 28th July 2025.

Please note: All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. If you require sponsorship as you are an overseas applicant, please let us know.

Closing Date: midday 21 July

Reports to: Chief Executive

Hours of work: 0.8 FTE (30hrs per week) (flexible for the right candidate)

Holidays: Uncapped annual leave, plus two week-long shutdowns

Main work address: Hybrid - a mix of remote working and time at our Abingdon office. The role involves regular travel across Oxfordshire to meet funders, partners, and community supporters, and occasional evening or weekend work for events and networking.

Closing date: midday 21 July

Interviews: w/c 28 July or w/c 4 August

About Quest for Learning
Quest for Learning is an education charity on a mission to close the gap for primary school children in Oxfordshire who are falling behind - often due to complex and compounding disadvantage. Many of the children we support are growing up in poverty, with limited access to books, low parental literacy, and challenging home environments. Some face health inequalities, live in areas affected by crime, or have recently arrived in the UK as refugees or asylum seekers.

We work closely with schools to provide targeted, high-impact literacy and numeracy programmes that give these children the chance to catch up, thrive, and believe in their potential. On average, our small-group tutoring helps pupils make 13 months of progress in just 10 hours - building not only essential skills, but also confidence, motivation, and a renewed sense of possibility.

The impact extends well beyond the classroom. By supporting children early, we help prevent the need for more complex and costly interventions later in life, from mental health support to exclusion and social care. Our work contributes to stronger, fairer communities by giving every child the foundation they need to participate fully in society. In doing so, we are advancing social sustainability and helping to meet global goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals for Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, and Good Health and Wellbeing.

Role Purpose

This is a hands-on and outward-facing role for a confident, capable fundraiser ready to lead Quest for Learning’s income generation efforts. As our sole dedicated fundraiser, you’ll take ownership of securing income across a broad mix of streams - including trusts and foundations, community fundraising, individual giving, and corporate partnerships.

You’ll be out and about representing the charity, building relationships with local businesses, community groups, and supporters, and bringing our mission to life with energy and clarity. You'll need to be a proactive self-starter who enjoys meeting people, thrives in a varied role, and is motivated by delivering results that improve life chances for disadvantaged children.

This is a busy and varied role which often involves working on multiple fundraising activities at once. A typical day could include working on an application to a new funder, designing a supporter newsletter, gathering information for an end of grant report, and researching new prospects.

This role would suit someone with experience of securing funding, managing funder relationships, and developing new opportunities - all with a focus on practical delivery. You’ll work closely with the CEO, leadership and programme teams, and our board of trustees to help grow a diverse and sustainable income base.

Key Responsibilities

Trusts and foundations

• Research and identify prospective funders, building a robust pipeline
• Write and submit compelling, tailored funding applications
• Deliver timely, high-quality reports with evidence of impact
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders through clear, proactive stewardship
• Monitor success rates and financial information and adapt strategy to improve performance

Community fundraising

• Initiate and grow partnerships with local community groups (e.g. WIs, Rotary clubs, schools, churches)
• Support or coordinate local fundraising events and campaigns (e.g. fun runs, quizzes, coffee mornings)
• Attend community events to represent the charity and engage new supporters
• Equip and support individuals and groups to fundraise on our behalf

Corporate partnerships and other earned income

• Build relationships with local and regional businesses to secure sponsorship, gifts-in-kind or Charity of the Year support
• Develop creative, mutually beneficial opportunities to engage corporate partners
• Work with the CEO and board to identify and cultivate prospects
• Explore other potential income streams including education consultancy or training offers

Individual Giving and supporter engagement

• Support the development of campaigns to encourage donations from individuals
• Help create a compelling case for support across our communications
• Identify opportunities to increase visibility and supporter base (e.g. speaking engagements, community fairs)
• Ensure Quest for Learning is regularly engaging with our supporters
• Champion the use of storytelling and pupil outcomes to inspire giving

Marketing and communications (fundraising-focused)

• Develop fundraising messaging and materials with the CEO and team
• Lead on all communications relating to fundraising and supporter engagement
• Ensure consistent branding and tone across all fundraising-related comms
• Share our impact with passion and clarity to motivate supporters

Planning and systems

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in our Beacon CRM
• Track income performance and contribute to budgeting and forecasting
• Create and deliver realistic workplans to manage multiple deadlines
• Liaise with programme staff to gather data and stories for funders
• Report on income and fundraising activities to CEO and trustees

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience in fundraising, with a track record of securing income across multiple streams
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain our mission clearly and persuasively to a wide range of audiences
• Excellent bid writing and reporting skills
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Confidence in networking, public speaking, and relationship-building
• Proactive, self-motivated, and happy to work independently
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Values-led, personable and enthusiastic - able to represent the charity with warmth and professionalism

Desirable

• Experience working in a small charity or education setting
• Knowledge of the Oxfordshire funding landscape or local networks
• Experience with community fundraising, challenge events, or individual giving
• Skills in Canva, Mailchimp or similar content creation tools
• Familiarity with Beacon or similar fundraising CRMs
• Understanding of primary education and the barriers disadvantaged children face
• Experience producing fundraising workplans or reports for trustees

Why work with us?

Quest for Learning is a friendly, values-led education charity with a big mission and a supportive culture. We’re committed to flexibility, wellbeing and professional growth, and we believe in helping our team thrive while doing meaningful work.

We offer:

• Unlimited annual leave (minimum 28 days pro rata, plus bank holidays), with full charity shutdowns in August and at Christmas
• Flexible hybrid working with autonomy over your schedule
• A culture of trust, kindness, and high standards
• Opportunities to test ideas, develop skills and shape a growing organisation

• Drive a climate action movement influencing institutional investors
• Support interconnected organisations to create powerful change
• Remote in Europe - United Kingdom, France, Brussels, or Germany preferred

The Sunrise Project

The Sunrise Project is a global network of independent organisations, that has adopted a unique model of combined strategic grant-making and campaigning, with a common mission to scale social movements to drive the energy transition beyond fossil fuels.

The Sunrise Organising Labs (SOL) is Sunrise's movement-building engine, powering all global programs to scale power in service of our goals while also nurturing long-term ecosystem development. SOL equips our teams and partners to map power, recruit influential constituencies, and build organising capability. SOL also informs and strengthens partnerships and grantmaking: analysing ecosystem capacity and designing targeted interventions to strengthen it. By investing in recruitment, leadership, collaboration, and learning, SOL ensures our movement is equipped, connected, and resourced to win systemic reforms.

Benefits & Culture

Sunrise has a dynamic and nimble organizational culture that supports its people to thrive, believing that diversity of experiences and perspectives builds stronger strategies, teams, and movements. The following benefits are in place to help achieve that;

• Generous package in line with experience and with international expectations
• Liberal annual, parental, birthday, solidarity, and cultural leave
• Commitment to professional development planning
• Coaching, performance reviews & management feedback
• Intermittent travel with advance notice may be required

Indicative salary ranges: £79,230 - £82,277 (UK); €92,376 - €97,850 (France); €120,000 - €124,062 (Germany)

The Role

This role serves as the strategic lead of the European ecosystem, including the UK, overseeing strategies to ensure this powerful movement is growing, is supported, and is being nurtured across communities, countries, leveraging and building power with key actors.
This role understands the nuance of targeted campaigns, how to win them, the context of the big picture, and then designs strategies to intersect the short and long term to build actionable plans for maximum impact.

Working collaboratively across Europe and globally, you will lead the development and implementation of Europe's movement strategy – understanding our campaigns, leading power mapping, understanding constituency and context needs, running experiments, and distributing grants. You will create and recruit new partnerships and groups from new and diverse constituencies, growing their skills and capacities.

Skills Required

You don’t need experience in fossil finance or climate – you can be a leader in your own field of environmental or social justice, such as trade unions, faith or youth groups, community organisations, worker bodies, etc. You’re a strategic, experienced, and collaborative campaign leader and relational organiser, with a passion for winning campaigns and growing regional movements. You have a nuanced understanding of how systemic change happens and can take a long-term view of power and power building in order to deliver short term wins. Your career includes creative corporate and political regional and local campaigns, including winning or iterating on campaigns through diverse stakeholder strategies.

You enjoy working across the political spectrum, or different theories of change, and understand what it takes to build trust, nurture creativity and unleash the potential of individuals and groups. You are adaptive, flexible, and respectful and highly self-driven. You definitely have the following:

• Demonstrated experience building a movement or organisation which has influenced systemic change
• Leadership experience in a similar role and an understanding of the European political landscape
• Project management, training, facilitation, and coaching expertise
• Demonstrated experience in organising and developing leaders in constituency-based organisations
• Strong and evidenced relationships with European power building organisations and other influential groups
• Your own working rights for your European location

 

If you meet all or some of the requirements, or are unsure, please submit an expression of interest as The Sunrise Project values diversity and recognizes lived experience. Your expression of interest should include a cover letter, responding to the skills required above, and a resume. Please quote #1352163. Alternatively, contact Lois Freeke from NGO Recruitment in Melbourne, Australia to request a full information pack at: +61 (0) 3 8080 8978.