Senior fundraiser jobs

Calibre Audio is a national charity providing accessible audiobooks to people who are unable to read print due to visual impairment, dyslexia, or other conditions. Through a digital-first service and diverse library, the charity enables children and adults to experience the joy and lifelong benefits of reading, while increasingly delivering impact across literacy, education, wellbeing and social inclusion.

Fundraising at Calibre Audio is entering an exciting new phase of development. The charity has recently appointed its first Director of Fundraising & Communications, bringing fundraising, communications and brand together under a newly created leadership role. With a refreshed organisational narrative, ambitious plans for growth and a renewed focus on increasing income and profile, fundraising is becoming an increasingly important driver of Calibre Audio’s future impact.

Trusts and foundations are a key part of this growth strategy. Historically, income has been generated through a combination of loyal funders and a high volume of smaller grants. The organisation is now seeking to build a more strategic trusts programme focused on stronger stewardship, deeper funder relationships, larger grants and long-term partnerships. There is significant untapped potential, including opportunities to re-engage previous funders, develop new relationships and secure support for a range of compelling programmes spanning literacy, education, disability, wellbeing and community impact.

The Senior Trusts Fundraiser will lead this work, partnering closely with the Director to shape and deliver the next phase of trusts fundraising at Calibre Audio. This is a role with genuine scope to influence strategy, develop new opportunities and make a visible contribution to organisational growth. It would suit an ambitious trusts fundraiser who enjoys relationship building as much as writing applications and is motivated by the opportunity to help build something.

As Senior Trusts Fundraiser, you will:

• Develop and implement a strategic trusts and foundations fundraising programme aligned with organisational priorities
• Identify, research and cultivate new funding opportunities, with a focus on larger and multi-year grants
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of prospective trusts and foundations
• Develop compelling, high-quality funding applications, proposals and report
• Secure significant income from a portfolio of trusts and foundations
• Build and strengthen long-term relationships with funders through excellent stewardship and engagement
• Reactivate and develop relationships with previous funders and supporters
• Work closely with colleagues across the organisation to gather impact data and develop compelling cases for support
• Act as a key ambassador for Calibre Audio with funders and external stakeholders

Essential skills and experience:

• Proven track record of securing five-figure grants from trusts and foundations
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to develop persuasive and compelling funding applications
• Strong prospect research and pipeline development skills
• Experience identifying, developing and securing new funding opportunities
• Excellent verbal communication skills and confidence engaging with external stakeholders
• A proactive and entrepreneurial approach, with the ability to spot opportunities and drive activity forward
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Desirable, but not essential:

• Experience securing six-figure and/or multi-year grants
• Knowledge of the disability, literacy, education or wellbeing sectors
• Experience using Beacon CRM
• Experience contributing to fundraising strategy

Calibre Audio are also keen to hear from ambitious early-career fundraisers. Whilst a track record of securing trusts funding is essential, we are more interested in your potential, approach and attributes than the size of grants you have secured to date. If you bring strong relationship-building skills, initiative and an entrepreneurial mindset, this role offers an exceptional opportunity to work closely with an experienced fundraising leader, benefit from coaching and mentoring, and play a key role in shaping a growing trusts programme.

Employee benefits include

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and an additional Calibre Christmas closure day
• Matched pension contributions up to 5% of salary
• Medical Cash Plan (Hive Insurance Bronze Package)
• Life Assurance cover of 2 x salary
• Employee Assistance Programme 
• Reward Gateway, offering discounts and savings across hundreds of retailers
• Free on-site parking

Carers’ Resource is delighted to be able to advertise a new role to support carers and those they care for. We are seeking:

Senior Trust & Grant Fundraiser

Salary: up to £33,000

Permanent full time post (part time considered for right candidate)

Location: Hybrid working with part of week spent at one of our offices: Shipley, Harrogate or Skipton

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Trust & Grant Fundraiser to lead and grow our charitable income from trusts, foundations and grant-making bodies.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will play a key strategic role in securing sustainable funding, both restricted and unrestricted, that enables Carers’ Resource to enhance, expand and support our existing services and allows us to invest in organisational infrastructure, website and digital technology.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of personally securing at least £200,000 per annum in trust and grant income and will be confident developing compelling funding applications, building long-term funder relationships, and identifying new income opportunities.

This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled fundraiser who is passionate about making a difference and wants to contribute to the growth and impact of a respected regional charity.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a trust and grants fundraising strategy aligned with organisational priorities.
• Research and identify suitable trust, foundation and statutory funding opportunities.
• Prepare high-quality, persuasive funding applications, proposals and expressions of interest.
• Secure a minimum of £200,000 per annum in trust and grant income.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, partners and stakeholders.
• Manage the full grant cycle including applications, monitoring, reporting and stewardship.
• Work closely with the CEO and senior leadership team to develop funding priorities and project budgets.
• Collaborate with operational teams to gather impact data, case studies and outcomes.
• Maintain an accurate pipeline and reporting system for funding applications and deadlines.
• Produce timely and accurate reports for funders demonstrating impact and outcomes.
• Monitor fundraising trends, sector developments and funding opportunities relevant to carers and community services.
• Support the development of partnership and collaborative funding bids where appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with fundraising regulations and best practice.

Person Specification

Essential

• Demonstrable success in securing trust and grant funding, including a proven track record of personally generating at least £200,000 annually.
• At least 3 years experience of writing successful funding applications to trusts, foundations and statutory funders.
• Excellent written communication and bid-writing skills.
• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple funding applications and deadlines effectively.
• Experience of developing fundraising pipelines and income strategies.
• Strong analytical and budgeting skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams.
• Passion for supporting carers, vulnerable people and local communities.
• Proficient IT skills including Microsoft Office and CRM/database systems.

Desirable

• Experience working within the charity, health or social care sector.
• Knowledge of issues affecting unpaid carers and vulnerable communities.
• Experience of reporting to senior leadership teams and trustees.
• Understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and self-motivated
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail
• Strategic thinker with a creative approach to fundraising
• Compassionate and values-driven
• Professional, resilient and adaptable

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work for a respected and impactful Yorkshire charity
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
• Ongoing professional development
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Pension scheme

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Carers' Resource is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and supported.

Closing date for applications: Monday 15th June 2026

Email your application, including a covering letter explaining your fit to the role and CV.

Or apply directly via our website

The Prince of Wales Hospice in Pontefract provides care for people with a life limiting illness and their loved ones - giving them comfort, dignity and personalised care. Their specialist palliative care, wellbeing support and practical help is there to support families every step of the way.  

“I’ve pinched some more time … The doctors are brilliant; they tell it how it is. But the care from them and the nurses, they just kept going, kept persisting with the antibiotics. I’ve still got cancer, but now I’ve pinched a bit more time. I’ve got lucky.” (patient)

 “We’ve had the time to find out and understand Mum’s wishes. We’ve gone from complete blind panic to feeling just a little more prepared.” (family of a patient)

The Prince of Wales Hospice help over 1,600 local people a year. Due to limited Government funding, income from donations are vital to continue providing their services, which are entirely free of charge to patients and their families.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a passionate and ambitious team in a brand-new role. Are you an experienced fundraiser looking to lead and manage a small team? If so this could be the role for you!

The Role

As Senior Relationships Fundraiser you will manage a team of 3, including a Relationships Fundraiser (Individual Gifts), Relationship Fundraiser (Trusts and Major Donors) and a Fundraising Administrator.

You will report into the Fundraising Manager and be responsible for delivering income to target, in line with the fundraising strategy.

The main duties include:

• Work with the wider Income Generation and Marketing teams to develop a fundraising strategy, continually sharing insights, leads and opportunities to promote effective growth.
• Lead the development of income from trusts and foundations, major donors, regular givers, direct mail appeals, gifts in memory and gifts in wills.
• Hold regular, supportive 1:1 meetings and bi-annual performance reviews.
• Ensure all fundraising adheres to legislation and follows best practice.

The Person

We are looking for someone with proven experience in an income generation role. You will ideally have knowledge and understanding of donor motivations and high value fundraising principles. Experience in developing donor journeys, campaigns or funding proposals would also be desirable.

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills are vital in this role, along with the ability to coach and lead a small team. Previous management experience would be advantageous but is not essential.

You must be experienced working to targets, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting. As Senior Relationship Fundraiser you will inform key decisions, so the ability to analyse data to is essential.

Why Prince of Wales Hospice?

The Prince of Wales Hospice pride themselves on staff development and their compassionate, collaborative culture, which creates a positive working environment. The charities strong values contribute to the huge difference they make in the local community.

In their last staff survey the result showed:

• Over 97% of employees were satisfied with their job.
• Over 95% of employees enjoy working with the people in the organisation.
• ​Everyone felt proud to work for the hospice.
• Everyone enjoys the work they do in the hospice.

This role is permanent and is based in the hospice in Pontefract. If this sounds like the type of role and charity that could suit the next phase of your career, then please get in touch. To register your interest please apply here, or for more information contact Leanne or Jen at Charity Horizons.

Please note: If you would like to submit an application or express your interest in an alternative format, such as audio or video upload, please contact either Leanne or Jen who will be happy to advise on this. Also, please let us know if you require any adaptations for your initial engagement with us.

Please also be aware that we use anonymous recruitment methods when submitting shortlists for all our roles and we only work with organisations that are happy to engage with us in this way.

Charity Horizons is an equal opportunities employer and as such actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from all suitable candidates irrespective of age, disability, hidden disability, race or national origin, religion or belief, gender, gender expression, political view, sexual orientation, medical condition, and pregnancy.