Senior fundraiser jobs in edinburgh

62,000 children and young people are bereaved of a parent or sibling every year in the year UK. Winston’s Wish was the first organisation in the UK to provide specialist support to grieving children and while much has changed since their founding in 1992, their desire to make difference to as many children and young people’s lives as they can remains undimmed. They now seek an interim Trusts and Grants Fundraiser and Prospectus is proud to lead the search. 

£30,554 pro rata
Contract until end of March 2026
Part time – 3 days a week (21hrs)
Homebased

As Trusts & Grants Fundraiser (Interim), you will play a key role in driving income from trusts, grant funders, and statutory bodies to support Winston’s Wish. Working closely with the Senior Trusts & Grants Fundraiser, you will identify, research, and approach funding bodies, leading on specific applications and contributing to larger bids.

Winston’s Wish are looking for someone with excellent written and verbal communication skills, proven experience in bid writing and reporting, and the ability to research and identify new funding opportunities. You’ll be highly organised, confident managing multiple priorities, and able to build strong relationships with funders through outstanding stewardship.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact Jessica Stoddart at Prospectus.

If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you.      
 
 In order to apply please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will arrange for a meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.

We are looking for a fundraiser to lead, manage and deliver the fundraising strategy and activities of SBS. Develop relationships, networks and communication channels to advance the work and objectives of SBS across all types of existing and potential new supporters (e.g. individuals, churches & communities, major donors, trusts & foundations).  

You will be passionate about the transformational impact of the Bible and motivated to use your extensive fundraising experience to amplify stories from Scotland and around the world to resonate with a Scottish Christian audience. 

You will continue to cultivate and steward our relationships and partnerships with supporters.

You will have a talent for motivating others to do their best work, coaching them to work collaboratively across SBS.  

Faith requirement – to engage with existing and new SBS audiences, this role carries an occupational requirement that the post-holder is a Christian.  An understanding of the different Christian communities in Scotland and playing an active part in the spiritual life of the organisation is vital to this role. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all the fundraising activities of SBS, including management of the fundraising team.
• Develop and maintain a fundraising strategy in line with the overall strategy for SBS, this includes taking a lead in the forecasting and setting of fundraising targets.
• Take a lead in the recruitment and retainment of individual donors by developing and managing appropriate activities to expand the SBS donor base, exploring and implementing various methods to achieve this.
• Supervise the recruitment and retainment of support from churches and communities (including Action Groups) by developing relationships with them and ensuring they are equipped and encouraged to fundraise.
• Develop a major donor fundraising programme and manage long-term relationships.
• Help identify opportunities and support applications to charitable trusts, grant making bodies and companies, and assist in managing subsequent relationships with funding partners.
• Develop and manage a programme focused on legacy giving across all supporter types.
• Research, test and develop fundraising ideas and opportunities for income generation across all supporter types and all channels of communication.  Report on test results with a view to constantly evolving SBS tactics to meet objectives.
• Provide regular reporting on all fundraising activities, for Senior Staff and Board.  Provide up to date income levels by source, any associated expenditure and what the overall ROI is for SBS.  Be able to provide this as verbal updates and electronically - making comparisons against projections, historical performance and industry averages.
• Keep up to date and ensure SBS complies with fundraising legislation, standards and best practice including GDPR and PECR.
• Support SBS with detailed knowledge of the United Bible Societies (UBS) fellowship projects SBS support and provide a steer on what opportunities there are that would fit with the overall strategy for SBS.
• Set objectives for the Fundraising team in line with the fundraising strategy and overall strategy for SBS.
• Motivate and support staff in setting their personal objectives and managing their performance by providing encouragement, feedback and having regular 1-2-1s with them so they achieve their objectives and that of the team, department and overall SBS objectives.
• Fulfill line management responsibilities in line with policies and procedures for line managers at SBS (e.g. appraisals, holiday requests, absence monitoring, recruitment).

About you

• SBS believes that spiritual maturity, character and behaviour are just as important as fundraising competence, therefore you will be a devoted follower of Jesus with a passion for the Bible. You will be active in a local church that supports your vocation and provides spiritual support.
• Extensive experience (5+ years) in a senior fundraising or development position.
• Proven track record of leading fundraising strategy and campaigns for a charitable organisation, or a background in campaign management driving sales for a commercial organisation.
• Confidence in testing and optimising campaign activity and strategies through a robust, analytical methodology.
• Experience working for charitable organisations, or in international development or similar areas, interacting with a board of directors and with an understanding of charity reporting.
• Excellent planning and organisation skills, with the ability to manage projects and organise your own workload and that of direct line reports.
• Strong leadership and people management skills balanced with a willingness to listen and learn from others.  A genuine interest in developing people.
• A natural preference for collaboration and teamwork, able to interact and manage a wide range of stakeholders at different levels of seniority, sometimes in a cross-cultural context, to deliver the best possible outcome for the charity.
• Excellent working knowledge of GDPR, advertising standards, fundraising standards, and other industry governance.

We’re looking for a creative and results driven fundraiser to lead the growth of our individual donor and supporter base while delivering outstanding supporter experiences. You’ll play a central role in our fundraising efforts: leading multi-channel campaigns, strengthening donor relationships, and shaping the future of our Individual Giving strategy. 

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a key fundraising programme with scope to innovate and grow. If you have proven experience running successful donor acquisition campaigns, strong project management and analytical skills, and a passion for breast cancer prevention, we’d love to hear from you! 

Why join us? 

• To be part of a fantastic supportive team. 

• Work for an organisation that values a positive and inclusive culture. 

• Fully remote working. 

• Competitive salary of £31,171 – £37,340 PA (depending on experience) 

• 29.5 Days Annual Leave Plus Bank Holidays. 

• Option for full time colleagues to compress hours and work a 9 day fortnight. 

• Healthcare cover and employee assistance programme. 

• Enhanced Sickness, Maternity and Paternity pay. 

• Great supportive culture with generous professional training and development programmes. 

• For full details see our recruitment pack 

Job title: Senior Supporter Engagement Officer

Responsible to: Fundraising Operations Manager

Salary: £30,900 FTE pro rata (£20,085 actual)

Hours of work: Part time (0.65FTE/22.75 hours per week). Exact days/times to be agreed upon appointment. We consider flexible working requests

Annual leave: 30 days with 8 additional Bank Holidays pro rata

Location: Remote - location is flexible with option to be home based anywhere in the UK. Hybrid/office based also available (head office is in Bristol)

Closing date: 15th September - midday

About Action for ME

Action for ME is the only charity in the UK providing support, including healthcare, to people of all ages affected by ME. The charity was founded by Sue Finlay in 1987 and since then has been taking holistic approach so we can make an impact on multiple fronts - from amplifying the voices of people affected by ME in Government and leading on breakthrough research, to providing "lifeline" support and unique healthcare services on a daily basis.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), sometimes referred to and diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), is a chronic, fluctuating disease, causing symptoms such as post-exertional malaise (PEM), sleep problems, problems with thinking and memory (brain fog), pain and crushing fatigue. There are an estimated 1.3 million people living with ME or ME-like symptoms, including PEM, in the UK alone.

Even in its so-called mildest form, ME can have a significant impact on an individual’s life, and not just on their health. A lack of understanding and awareness about ME means patients can experience disbelief, and even discrimination, from friends, family, health and social care professionals, employers and teachers.

For the first time there is an increased awareness of post viral illness because of the Covid -19 pandemic. After decades of neglect this offers Action for ME an opportunity to accelerate our work for people with ME in a way we have never been able to do before. The intent of everything we do is to pursue positive impact for the lives, rights, and futures of people affected by ME.

Job purpose

This role will deliver an exceptional supporter experience to our donors, building and maintaining strong relationships with our supporters. Working closely with other members of the fundraising and communications teams, you will deliver our supporter journey, maintain regular communication with donors and be an integral part of our fundraising campaigns and appeals.

Key duties

• Work with the Fundraising Operations Manager to deliver our supporter journey, engaging current and prospective donors with our work and giving them an excellent experience of supporting Action for ME.
• Be responsible for creating the methods that ensure each supporter relationship is maximised, increasing retention rates for a growing supporter base. As such you will be required to engage with supporters so that they feel valued, and relationships can be developed further for the benefit of the charity.
• Lead on thanking donors, including making phone calls to donors as part of stewardship.
• Work closely with the Fundraising Operations Manager and the team to support the growth of income streams, including but not limited to, individual giving, Gift Aid, legacies, trading, community fundraising and membership.
• Work with the communications team on the delivery of digital communications, including social media and e-communications for a diverse range of audiences.
• Play a key role in fundraising appeals and campaigns including our yearly Big Give Christmas Challenge, Summer Appeal, Thanking Campaign and any other fundraising initiative or project as directed by the Fundraising Operations Manager or Director of Fundraising.
• Ensure excellent supporter care and maintenance of accurate database records.
• Create inspiring donor communications, including stories and impact from our wider work (support & healthcare services, research and policy work)
• Work closely with the Philanthropy Manager to identify potential major donors.
• Develop innovative and creative ways of widening our supporter base and increasing donations.

Other duties

• To attend and contribute constructively to team meetings and other meetings as required.
• Supervise fundraising volunteers as required.
• Occasional attendance at fundraising events.
• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for ME at all times.
• To contribute to the team’s overall strategy, ongoing workplan and annual planning.
• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Fundraising Operations Manager, Director of Fundraising or the Chief Executive.
• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.

Person specification

Experience and knowledge

• Minimum 2 years previous fundraising experience
• Demonstrable skills in stewarding supporters and donors.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel for work, including basic excel functions, basic formulas and list tools.
• Experience of using a CRM database, preferably Raiser’s Edge
• Proven experience of effective donor stewardship approaches

Skills and Behaviours

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including creating engaging donor communications
• Ability to work methodically, managing and prioritising a varied workload.
• Ability to use own initiative, work independently and to work well in a remote team.
• An understanding of data protection including UK GDPR related to fundraising
• An understanding of ME, the impact on people affected by it and associated current political, health, policy and social issues (desirable).

Attitudes and values

• Enthusiasm
• Integrity
• Resilient

Key competencies

• Effective communicator
• Results driven
• Attention to detail

Are you a creative fundraiser who loves writing compelling proposals and building meaningful relationships with funders? Join Let Me Know’s small, ambitious team as a Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser and help us secure vital funds to educate thousands more young people about the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships, supporting them to live happy, healthy lives, free from abuse.

This role is perfect for you if:

• You love crafting engaging, persuasive funding proposals and reports that inspire support.

• You enjoy building and nurturing strong relationships with funders who share our vision.

• You value a mix of independent and collaborative working.

• You're looking for an organisation that embraces flexibility; this role’s 17.5 hours can be spread over the week to fit your home life.

• You enjoy being part of a small team, and an organisation where you feel close to the impact you’re making.

So, if you’re passionate about ending relationship abuse and domestic violence, and have a track record of success in Trusts & Foundations fundraising, we’d love to hear from you.

Role Summary

• 17.5 hours per week (ideally spread over 3-4 days)

• £35,400 pro-rata (£17,700 for 17.5 hours)

• Working from home with some travel to Central London, including one day per month for an in-person team meeting / work day. 

About Let Me Know (LMK)

Good relationships shape our health and happiness, yet we are taught so little about them. LMK (Let Me Know) is on a mission to change that. We are a young and thriving charity providing education about healthy and unhealthy behaviours so that young people have the knowledge and skills to avoid abuse and thrive in their relationships. We work in schools, community organisations and workplaces across London. 

LMK is growing at pace and we are ambitious in our plans for the future. We’ve already engaged 21,000 young people and professionals in our workshops in our first five years and we want to reach 18,000 young people over the next two years. We will achieve this by engaging new schools, community groups and workplaces in our offer, whilst also continuing to provide a high-quality service to those who have already experienced LMK workshops. 

Key to our success is raising the funds to support our work. Our fundraising is primarily from grants received from charitable trusts and foundations, but we have a focus on diversifying income to include major donors, individual giving, and corporate fundraising.

We have:

✔ A clear plan for our workshop delivery over the next three years, and a fundraising plan to support it

✔ An engaged leadership team and Board of Trustees

✔ Evidenced outcomes, rich data/statistics and compelling case studies

✔ Diversity and strong social purpose

✔ A new organisational strategy that sets our vision from 2024-2027

✔ A new CRM system that has been built to support our ambitions

Job Description

This is a new role, joining a small and growing fundraising team. The purpose of this Trusts and Foundations Fundraising Manager role is to grow LMK’s income generation from Charitable Trusts and Foundations, to support delivery of LMK’s mission. 

The role is a true combination of independent and collaborative working. Independent in the writing of bespoke funding applications and reports, maintaining accurate records on LMK’s CRM, and researching to continually build LMK’s pipeline of Trusts & Foundation prospects. 

And collaborative in the close working with LMK’s core team to monitor and report on restricted grants, and working together with the wider fundraising team on creative projects such as: maintaining an updated library of cases for support, implementation of fresh and creative stewardship strategies that bring LMK supporters closer to our work, and cultivation strategies that engage supporters to whom LMK is brand new. 

The role requires strong relationship building skills, which will be drawn upon in your direct working with Trust & Foundation supporters and internally with LMK colleagues. 

Key Responsibilities

• Writing bespoke funding applications: you will be responsible for maintaining a regular pipeline of applications, writing and submitting proposals to new and existing Trust & Foundation supporters, including six-figure and multi-year grants, working to targets for both income generated and outputs (e.g. number of proposals per month).

• Grant reporting: using LMK’s CRM system and working collaboratively with the core team to produce high quality, timely reports for both restricted and unrestricted grants.

• Providing excellent relationship management: to build trusted and lasting relationships with existing and new supporters, including delivery of stewardship and cultivation strategies.

• Case for support development: with support from the wider fundraising team, you will maintain a library of creative and compelling cases for support for use in Trusts & Foundations fundraising. 

• Researching Prospects: identifying suitable new Trusts & Foundations for LMK to approach, and developing and delivering approaches to cultivate early, new relationships. 

• Maintaining accurate, data-compliant records on LMK’s CRM: ensuring all grant records are stored securely, and delivery commitments are effectively communicated to relevant staff members in a timely manner.

Other responsibilities

• Comply with LMK’s policies and procedures, including those relating to safeguarding, bullying and harassment, health & safety, confidentiality, complaints and data protection

• Work in a way that celebrates diversity, upholds LMK values and respects everyone LMK interacts with (including freelancers, staff members, volunteers and workshop participants)

Reporting to LMK’s Head of Fundraising & Development, you will work collaboratively with LMK’s core team, including three fundraising colleagues: one part-time Fundraising Manager, one freelance Grants Fundraiser and one full-time Head of Fundraising & Development.

Person Specification 

• Proven experience of leading on Trust & Foundation applications generating  high 5-figure and multi-year grants.

• Experience of working with colleagues to provide financial information to funders e.g. developing budgets for grant requests and financial reporting at the end of a grant.

• At least 3 years’ experience in successfully delivering and/or supporting a grant fundraising programme, including demonstrable experience of working to targets and managing multiple deadlines, and understanding the trust & foundations fundraising landscape.

• Successfully managing a portfolio of at least 15 Trusts and Foundation relationships, with evidence of providing excellent relationship management and stewardship strategies resulting in renewed and/or increased levels of financial support from partners.

• Experience of using a CRM system to manage all aspects of grant fundraising, including maintaining a pipeline of grant prospects, managing live grants, and regular data input that helps to store a full picture of our funder relationships.

• Excellent written skills, with proven experience of developing a compelling case for support that connects prospective funders with the charity’s mission and is grounded in the charity’s strategic priorities and funding needs.

• Highly organised to manage a diverse workload with excellent time management and attention to detail. 

• Strong MS Office/Google knowledge, numerate, comfortable with data

Safeguarding

This role is subject to a Basic DBS check

In return for your dedication, we will offer you

✔ The opportunity to help prevent relationship abuse and domestic violence in young people

✔ A competitive salary

✔ Working from home

✔ A genuinely flexible working environment 

✔ Pension of 6%

✔ 32 Days of annual leave, (including bank holidays), prorated for part time roles

✔ Employee Assistance Programme

✔ Wellbeing perks

✔ A diverse, bold and collaborative culture with two social meet-ups annually in London

Reasons for applying for this post

We need you to give us specific information to support your application so that we can shortlist in a fair and unbiased way. We recommend that you use a covering letter to provide as much evidence as possible to show how your skills, abilities, knowledge and experience meet each of the selection criteria in the person specification for the role. Please provide examples which are relevant to the role you are applying for (if you prefer, you can provide us with a video of no longer than 3 mins - please email this to us once you have submitted your application)

Interviews will be held in person (London) on Wednesday, 1st October

You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025. 

Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.

Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising. 

This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.

Key duties

Major Donor Fundraising

• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+

• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships

• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.

• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development.  Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.

• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.

• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.

• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.

• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.

• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.

• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.

• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.

• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.

• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.

• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.

• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.

• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity

• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events

Other duties

• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.

• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.

• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.

• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.

• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.

The Talent Set are delighted to partner with The Talent Foundry in their search for a Head of Fundraising role.  The Talent Foundry is dedicated to helping young people from under-served communities unlock their potential and prepare for the world of work or higher education.They are looking to increase unrestricted income from fundraising outside of corporate partnerships. This senior position involves leading strategic fundraising efforts to secure vital income, leading a small team across fundraising and marketing.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for all of fundraising income and to develop structure of fundraising  to diversify income streams
• Design and implement effective fundraising strategies
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors and partners
• Lead and support fundraising and marketing teams, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver fundraising campaigns and events
• Track, analyse, and report on fundraising performance metrics
• Identify new funding opportunities and stay updated on sector trends
• Represent the organisation at external engagements to build awareness and support

Person Specification

• Experience in leading successful fundraising programmes within the charity sector with experience from one of the following areas: Trust and Foundations, Major Gifts, Corporate Partnership  
• Ability to be strategic and also hands as fundraising on to meet the needs of a smaller charity
• Would suit an ambitious experienced manager looking to develop their career
• Strong relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholder groups
• Strategic thinker with excellent organisational abilities
• Effective communicator capable of engaging a wide audience
• Leadership qualities to motivate teams and volunteers
• Analytical and results-focused with attention to detail
• Budget management and resource allocation skills

What’s on Offer
Salary: £45,000
Role is home based but with commitment to travel to London for meetings 1-3 times a month.
Part time options available 

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.

Interviews to be held via teams on the 22nd/23rd September with 2nd stage in person on the 6th October.

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.