Senior programme funding officer jobs

This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for a senior fundraiser / income-generation specialist with the ambition to grow and diversify our income streams sustainably. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will bring strategic planning and action to the income generation work needed to ensure that the charity can continue delivering, and increase the reach of, its life-changing support to Asylum Seeker and Refugee communities in and around Derby.

Key Skills and Attributes we’re looking for: 

• Demonstrable experience of significant income growth in a large charity through grants, tenders and/or major donors with pipeline development.
• Experience of motivating and inspiring team members to achieve high, sustainable performance in fundraising and communications.  
• Collaborative and skilled at working cross organisationally and building strong internal relationships.
• A proactive networker with the ability to work in true partnership with local organisations, including faith groups, corporate, local government and national funding partners, inclusive of major donors.
• Provides strategic leadership across the organisation, working jointly with the Chief Executive and Trustees to embed the charity’s ethos and values.

Operational responsibilities:

Income generation and external partnerships

• Hold overall accountability for income generation across trusts and foundations, statutory funding, corporate partnerships, major donors and community fundraising.
• Developer and deliver a statutory fundraising strategy to maximise income from government, NHS, lottery and public sector funders.
• Lead and write high-quality funding bids, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and operational teams to shape compelling programme proposals.
• Oversee the management of the charity's current grant portfolio; ensuring grant applications and reports are delivered on time and in accordance with internal processes.
• Ensure that the voice, experience and dignity of refugees are meaningfully and ethically reflected in all fundraising and communication activity.

Leadership

• Provide inclusive, ambitious and supportive leadership to the Fundraising team, encouraging a culture of high performance, collaboration and learning.
• Champion strong collaboration between fundraising and other areas of the charity.
• Model Upbeat Communities values at all times, contributing to a welcoming, mission-led and entrepreneurial organisational culture.
• Actively contribute as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, supporting organisational leadership and decision-making beyond fundraising.

· Provide clear, accurate and timely reporting to the CEO, and Board of Trustees, attending meetings as required.

Strategy & Development

• Working closely with the CEO, lead the development and delivery of an integrated Fundraising Strategy that supports organisational priorities, financial sustainability and long-term partnerships.
• Contribute income generation expertise to support the execution of the charity’s strategic plan.
• Translate strategy into clear priorities, plans and performance expectations across the fundraising portfolio.
• Ensure fundraising propositions are compelling, evidence-led and clearly connected to Upbeat Communities impact, working closely with the Head of Delivery to reflect operational reality and participant need.
• Strengthen pipeline management, forecasting and scenario planning to support financial resilience and informed decision-making.

· Identify opportunities to deepen funder engagement beyond income, including learning partnerships, influence and profile-raising where appropriate.

Networking & Partnerships

• Build and maintain strong strategic partnerships across statutory, community and private sectors, strengthening the profile and reach of the charity.
• Represent the organisation at networking events, conferences generating leads and expanding income opportunities
• Support the development of a joined-up Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) offer, positioning Upbeat Communities as a key partner for corporate engagement.

Foundational Values

• Excels in emotional intelligence, building deep connections and mentoring others in emotional awareness.
• Embodies compassion in action, inspiring others to create a culture of care and community impact.
• Drives a culture of learning and excellence, mentoring others and integrating innovative ideas into practice.
• Leads with empowerment, creating opportunities and mentoring others to take ownership of their actions.

Person Specification:

Role Specific Competencies

• Significant experience leading high-value fundraising across multiple income streams, with a strong track record of income growth in a large charity.
• Demonstrable success securing and stewarding 6- and 7-figure partnerships or donations from corporate partners, trusts/foundations, statutory funders and/or major donors.
• Proven ability to operate at both strategic and delivery levels, balancing leadership with selective frontline fundraising.
• Experience managing senior fundraisers or managers with responsibility for discrete income streams.
• Strong strategic, financial and analytical skills, including budgeting, forecasting, performance management and risk assessment.
• Excellent relationship-building, influencing and negotiation skills, with credibility at senior levels internally and externally.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and compellingly to a range of audiences, including trustees.
• Experience working effectively across an organisation and with senior leadership teams.
• Strong project management skills and ability to prioritise in a fast-paced environment.
• Sound knowledge of GDPR and the Charity Code of Fundraising Practice.

Job Purpose

This role sits at the heart of Operation Smile UK’s five-year strategy to deliver transformational growth across all income streams. As Retention Fundraising Lead, you will be instrumental in delivering on three of the four core strategic priorities:

1. Build Regular Giving – retain and maximise value from the regular giving base

2. Drive All Donors to Legacy – ensure donors experience best-in-class stewardship, increasing their loyalty to the charity with an objective of feeding into legacy and long-term giving goals.

3. Maximise Growth Through Digital Fundraising Integration – leading the expansion and optimisation of digital growth for all existing supporters.

The Retention Lead is responsible for delivering Operation Smile UK’s strategic individual giving retention and legacy marketing programme. This role is key to driving income growth from our existing donors from the point of recruitment, maximising value and minimising attrition from the regular giving pool and generating and retaining legacy actions and prospects.

You will lead on the strategy, planning, delivery and evaluation of retention campaigns, with full accountability for managing significant budgets, agency partnerships and performance metrics.

You will support the development of the Legacy strategy, be instrumental in planning legacy activity and delivering legacy marketing for the existing supporter base across all income streams and methods of support, from Partnerships, Volunteers and public fundraisers.

This is a senior, hands-on role suited to an experienced Individual giving fundraiser with strong commercial acumen and a data-driven mindset.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Campaign Leadership

• Develop and implement the retention strategy, aligned with income targets and supporter growth objectives.
• Lead on the planning and delivery of campaigns across cash, donor stewardship, legacy prospecting and stewardship, welcome, conversion, reactivation and upgrade appeals.
• Lead on strategic development of the cultivation journey to ensure Operation Smile maximise growth through digital channels.
• Monitor and report on campaign performance, providing insight-driven recommendations to optimise results.
• Drive testing and innovation to expand existing approaches and introduce new ones within acceptable risk and return parameters.

Budget Ownership & Performance Monitoring

• Take full responsibility for retention and legacy budget management, income forecasting and cost control.
• Set, monitor, and evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs), reporting against ROI, value and response, retention and conversion metrics and long-term value across all supporter groups channels.
• Collaborate with the Senior Database Manager and the Director of Data and Technology to develop and maintain performance dashboards (e.g., Power BI) and support strategic data analysis, including both short term and long-term channel performance evaluation.

Line Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership and support to the Retention team, ensuring clarity of objectives, effective workload management, and professional development opportunities.
• Conduct regular 1:1s, annual appraisals, and performance reviews for direct reports, supporting their growth and accountability.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture, encouraging innovation, learning, and high standards of delivery.
• Provide strategic and operational direction to external agencies or freelancers working on retention projects.

Agency & Partner Management

• Manage day-to-day relationships with external fundraising and creative partners.
• Lead on the relationship with the external fulfilment agency working with multiple internal stakeholders to ensure an effective partnership is in place.
• Lead briefings, content sourcing, agent training, stakeholder approvals, and quality assurance processes.
• Negotiate contracts and hold suppliers accountable for delivery and performance.

Cross-Team and Market Integration

• Represent the retention and legacy programme in cross-functional planning meetings and contribute to a unified team culture focused on strategic delivery.
• Work closely with the Acquisition and Digital lead to deliver a seamless supporter journey from point of recruitment to donor communications.
• Work closely with the Philanthropy Manager to develop and manage the pipeline of HV/Major donors.
• Work closely with the Legacy administrator, Philanthropy Manager and Volunteer Manager to develop the legacy pipeline.
• Work closely to ensure all digital communications are aligned and support the retention strategy
• Act as a key liaison with colleagues across Operation Smile global markets, sharing insights and exploring opportunities to align strategy, co-develop creative, or pilot cross-market initiatives.

Compliance, Risk & Best Practice

• Ensure all campaigns meet legal, ethical and data protection requirements (e.g., GDPR, Fundraising Regulator).
• Act as a key contributor to organisational risk assessments relating to income performance and supplier performance.
• Keep up to date with sector trends, innovations and benchmarks to maintain best practice.

Person specification

Essential Experience

• Extensive experience (ideally 5+ years) in Individual Giving, Legacy or fundraising acquisition roles.
• Proven success delivering multi-channel (including digital) retention campaigns for both cash, legacy and regular giving donors with strong ROI.
• Experience managing external agencies and suppliers to high performance standards.
• Strong background in regular giving retention.
• Demonstrable experience managing and reporting on retention budgets.

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic thinker with excellent campaign planning and execution skills.
• Highly numerate and confident using data for decision-making and optimisation.
• Strong project and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proactive, self-starting approach with high levels of ownership and accountability.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to represent the organisation externally.

Desirable

• Understanding of retention and supporter journey optimisation.
• Familiarity with CRM, Dot digital and data system Donorfy.
• Experience with Power BI or other reporting tools.

First-round interviews are set for the week of 9th March 2026. We strongly encourage early applications.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We're a Disability Confident Committed employer, so we guarantee an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the minimum requirements for the job.

At Operation Smile UK, we value individuals based on their performance and potential. We're dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that supports everyone's needs. We're happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the application and employment process, and we particularly welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.

If you need this document in a different format, require any adjustments, or need help with your application, please contact us (further details contained within the job description).

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Operation Smile UK knows fundraising could better reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people the charity sector supports. If you don’t meet every requirement but believe your transferable skills align with the role, we encourage you to contact us for a conversation. 

We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of, age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We celebrate diversity and encourage you to bring your authentic self to Operation Smile UK. We are committed to supporting all applicants and ensuring a fair hiring process. All appointments will be made solely on merit, and we are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. 

**PLEASE NOTE: To apply for this vacancy, please ensure you firstly download a copy of our application form from the documents section below and complete it. Click the 'apply' button and fill out your personal details in the relevant sections. Once you have submitted these you will be asked if you would like to attach any documents. At this stage please submit the completed version of the application form.**

Job title: Prospect Research Officer  (fixed term contract 12 months)
Salary: £31,500-£35,000
Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract: 12 months

Reports to:Prospect Research Manager 

Key relationships: Partnerships and Philanthropy Team, SMT, UNHCR’s global due diligence team 

Location:  WeWork, 1 Mark Square, London EC2A 4EG (hybrid working policy operates)

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO 
 

United Kingdom for UNHCR is the United Nations Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the United Kingdom. We generate public awareness of the plight of refugees and raise funds to help protect them through UNHCR’s humanitarian operations across the world.  
 

Our supporters include UK private individuals, communities, corporate partners, trusts and foundations. The funds we raise help UNHCR deliver emergency relief such as shelter, medical care and basic supplies to people fleeing conflict and persecution, as well as healthcare, education and livelihoods opportunities for those who remain displaced over the long term.  
 

Nobody chooses to be a refugee, but we can all play a part in their protection, and we want those who work with us to share our values and passion for the cause.  
 

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING
 

We strongly value diversity and recognise that it is critical to our success and the cause that we serve. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all who work with us and strongly welcome applications from diverse backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience of being a refugee, asylum seeker, internally displaced person, or a stateless person.   UK for UNHCR is proud to have Diversity & Inclusion Working Group. The Diversity & Inclusion Working Group is a group of colleagues focusing on tasks that drive action in the implementation of our D&I Approach.  The group also works to create safe spaces that brings colleagues together for events, discussions and learning experiences that celebrate and support diversity and tackle barriers to inclusion.   

JOB PURPOSE 

UK for UNHCR (UK4U), the UN Refugee Agency's national charity partner, is looking for a Prospect Research Officer to join a small but high performing team with big ambitions. This role will play a key part in continuing to build our UHNWI, HNWI, Trust and Foundation and Corporate and pipelines, by working closely with the Prospect Research Manager, fundraising colleagues as well as UNHCR internationally.   
 

This role reports to the Prospect Research Manager, who is responsible for developing and driving the prospect research strategy, due diligence and all high level, strategic prospect research.  The post holder will help identify research, organise and evaluate a prospect’s financial capacity, ability to give, willingness to give, charitable interests, and connection to the organisation, operating within the organisation’s due diligence process. The role will support UK for UNHCR’s due diligence process by helping to renew due diligence on existing pipelines, to completing some new due diligence profiles on lower-level prospects through utilising key due diligence tools and platforms, working with the Prospect Research Manager and members of the Partnerships and Philanthropy team, SMT and UNHCR’s global due diligence team. 
 

Passionate about the refugee cause and UNHCR’s contribution, you will have demonstrable experience of successfully identifying prospects as well as preparing and presenting in depth prospect briefs for across the high value fundraising pipeline from UHNW and HNW individuals, Trusts & Foundations and Corporates. You will be familiar with using a variety of information sources, of complying with GDPR and other regulations and working with a CRM database. Donor focussed and a problem solver, you will with have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be someone who enjoys working as part of a team. 
 

We are interested in hearing from candidates with a range of professional experience: charity or private sector. If you think you have the relevant skills and crucially, the passion to support the refugee cause, please apply. 
 

ROLE RESPONSIBLITIES   

• Working with the Prospect Research Manager to support the overarching strategy for the prospect research function and to help deliver a strong and sustainable prospect pipeline. 
• Prepare prospect research profiles for the Philanthropy and Partnerships Team, whether in preparation for individual meetings or for a range of events. 
•  Support the Prospect Research Manager’s work with the Director of Private Philanthropy to identify UHNWI prospects and their work with the Senior Philanthropy 
• Advisor to identify prospective members of UK for UNHCR’s first advisory development board.  
•  Using a broad spectrum of sources, identify, research, organise and evaluate a prospect’s financial capacity, ability to give, willingness to give, charitable interests, and connection to the organisation. Support fundraising staff in prioritising prospects.  
•  Keep up to date on trends and new ways of working within Prospect research and due diligence.
• Work within UK4U’s due diligence policy and processes, supporting the Prospect Research Manager to maintain a system to enable the organisation to track due diligence carried out, ensuring compliance with all regulatory best practice standards. 
• Produce in-depth, well-written reports on prospects based on a combination of data from the donor database, open access records and other markers of high-quality donors. 
• Support the Prospect Research Manager to embed best practice use of the database within the team. 
• Provide general support to fundraising staff and work on special projects when called for.
• Support Prospect Research Managers bi-yearly pipeline reviews to ensure pipelines remain dynamic and fit for purpose. 

The above list is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to perform duties that are not detailed above. 
 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND EXPERIENCE  

Essential Experience 
 

• Experience of profiling, network mapping, prospect qualification and other prospect research activities. 
• Experience of working with colleagues in Individual Giving Teams and with major donor and corporate fundraisers to optimise use of a CRM database to identify potential prospects. 

Essential Skills/Knowledge 
 

• Ability to act proactively to identify new prospects 
• Ability to juggle and prioritise multiple tasks and meet deadlines   
• Able to demonstrate flexibility, with a willingness to respond quickly, particularly at times of humanitarian crisis 
• Ability to investigate, analyse, and synthesize large quantities of data into a user-friendly and concise format for the use by fundraisers and key volunteers (e.g. Trustees)  
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations well 
• Demonstrable strong oral and written communication skills 
• Ability to be discreet with valuable and personal donor details that are often confidential 
• Ability to problem-solve effectively 
• Ability to take a tactful and ethical approach to fundraising tasks 
• Demonstrable understanding of GDPR and other regulatory compliance issues.  
• Ability to work proficiently with CRM databases (knowledge of Salesforce helpful).  
• Ability to work proficiently in Microsoft Office Suite. 

Desirable Skills/Experience 

• Demonstrable interest in or higher education on/or similar study on international development/humanitarian issues. 

WHY JOIN UNITED KINGDOM FOR UNHCR? 

You will be part of a high performing agile team of talented people, all committed to build solidarity and raise funds for refugees and displaced people worldwide. You will be working in a flexible, supportive, and inclusive environment, where your work will be recognised and appraised. 
 

What else?
 

Wellbeing
 

• 28 days’ leave per annum plus bank holidays 
• Employee Assistance programme providing 24/7 access to online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing. 
• Access to 100s of perks with discounts on everyday purchases.
• Office wellness perks.
• Discount on gym memberships. 
• Hybrid and Flexible Working.
• Staff socials.

Financial
 

• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8%.
• Non-contributory group life assurance scheme
• Non-contributory Income protection scheme.
• One-off contribution towards homeworking set up.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
• Enhanced sick pay scheme. 

Development 

• Comprehensive training and continuing development opportunities.
• Individual training budget.

HOW TO APPLY
 

If you have the relevant skills and the passion to use them to support refugees, please apply by completing our application form which is available in the documents section.   
 

Closing date: 2nd March 2026
 

Interview dates: First round interviews will be held online 10th-12th March. Second round interviews will be held w/c 16th March

If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to the application or hiring process that may better facilitate your participation please contact us. We will make every effort to respond to your request for assistance as soon as possible.
 

United Kingdom for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is registered with the Charity Commission (England & Wales), charity no. 1183415. It is the UK national partner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency.

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.

Young Citizens is seeking a Business Development and Special Projects Lead to support a critical year of fundraising, income generation and partnership development. This role supports the special projects work with the CEO and will work with the senior team to lead on the income and visibility opportunities that unlock our delivery for our three-year strategy.

Your Role’s Purpose

Year 1 of this role will be focused on business model development, income generation and strategic partnerships. Working closely with the CEO and senior management team, you will help shape, test and secure new funding and commercial opportunities that position Young Citizens for long-term sustainability and impact. The special projects element includes supporting the developmental design of our future business model, charity strategy and public affairs work.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building, creating and working at pace to achieve great results within a small team. You will be rapidly developing propositions, forging partnerships and converting ideas into credible, funded initiatives. You will play a central role in strengthening our relationships with funders, institutions, corporates and sector partners, while supporting wider organisational development projects.

Young Citizens works at the intersection of education, democracy and civic life, and this role offers a unique opportunity to influence how active citizenship is funded, delivered and embedded across the UK.

In Year 1, your primary focus will be to:

• Develop and drive income/fundraising with existing channels, including grant funding, partnerships and commercial activity.
• Build a strong pipeline of income opportunities, working closely with the CEO to convert prospects into funding
• Produce high-quality business cases, funding bids, proposals and presentations of our work
• Design and execute new funding models and partnership opportunities alongside the CEO’s updated strategic plan
• Lead staff member for strategic engagement with funders, corporates, policymakers and sector stakeholders.

Alongside this, you will contribute to priority special projects that support Young Citizens’ organisational growth and external positioning.

Who We’re Looking For

This role is not just open to traditional fundraisers or partnership managers. As long as you have the seniority and expertise leading results, you might come from a charity, social enterprise, consultancy, policy or start-up background. What matters most is your ability to confidently progress a pipeline of opportunities, build partnerships, generate income and deliver results.

We are interested in a wider pool of candidates with 5+ years in the working world, possibly from other start-ups or programme design focus instead of 'trad' fundraising roles'. If you are a high-performer who wants to focus on corporate partnerships, external relations and business success, this role may be right for you—talk to us.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Entrepreneurial and proactive, with a strong interest in business development and income generation
• Confidently able to design and deliver on their ideas, instilling confidence and get results with high-level stakeholders
• Highly professional writer and communicator, able to produce strong proposals and pitch deck materials
• Commercially aware, with an ability to spot and shape fundable opportunities
• Excels at working closely with senior stakeholders including the CEO, able to predict needs and are responsive to what gets the best results
• Organised and adaptable, able to own multiple priorities in a small, fast-moving organisation
• Technically capable, making data systems like Salesforce easily integrated into their workflow
• Distinctly motivated and/or experienced in social impact, education, democracy or civic participation

Please note the pay scale of this role is determined by the demonststrable strategic seniority the person brings in managing others and organisational outcomes alongside technical role skills above.

Success in the first six months of this role will look like:

• Immediate management and confidence securing existing income contracts with corporate and funding partners of £200,000+
• Tactical, high-volume stakeholder engagement campaigns to increase sponsorship and new income opportunities
• Leading the development of improved business modelling, pricing structures and income streams that create a more sustainable base
• Operating with professionalism, improving processes and keeping organisational priorities at the forefront

Why join us?

• Make a real difference by helping deliver inspiring citizenship experiences to young people nationwide.
• Shape and strengthen the delivery of our flagship national programmes.
• Join a supportive, purpose‑driven team that values collaboration, flexibility, and doing great work together.
• Grow with us as we deliver our new three‑year strategy and embed smarter, stronger delivery processes.

If you're excited about making a tangible impact through high‑quality programme delivery, and want to contribute to a mission‑driven organisation, we’d love to hear from you.

A few useful notes to apply:

This is a 12 month fixed contract starting as soon as possible. 

• The closing date for applications is 11pm on Sunday 22 February 2026. We encourage you to apply ahead of the deadline, as shortlisting will begin on Thursday 12 February. However, as long as this advert remains live, first‑round interviews have not yet been finalised.
• Please submit a covering letter of no more than two pages outlining your interest in this role. Applications without a covering letter cannot be reviewed. We are unable to progress applications that do not demonstrate direct or clearly transferable experience.
• If you have any questions before applying, please contact our HR team.

For a full overview of the role and responsibilities, please see the job pack for more details.

Senior Policy Officer

We’re the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. We’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. We support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.  

We currently have around 95 staff based in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’re in a privileged position to be able to grow our staff team to deliver our ambitious strategy, On a mission. There are huge challenges facing bowel cancer patients across the UK and our community needs us now more than ever. We’re building a strong and united team to bring us closer to a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer. 

Senior Policy Officer Job Description

Do you want your policy work to genuinely change lives? As a Senior Policy Officer, you’ll lead a defined area of our UK-wide policy work, shaping evidence-based positions that influence decisions across health systems and government. You’ll have the autonomy to own your brief, the space to think strategically, and the support of an expert, collaborative team who care deeply about impact. Your work will directly affect people living with bowel cancer.

This role is ideal if you’re an experienced policy professional who enjoys tackling complex problems, building trusted relationships, and turning evidence into action. You’ll work closely with policymakers, clinicians and sector partners, represent us in high-level forums, and help steer how we respond to fast-moving health policy developments. In return, we offer flexibility, trust, and a strong values-led culture and the chance to be part of a growing organisation delivering an ambitious strategy at a critical moment.

If you’re motivated by purpose, confident in your judgement, and ready to step into a role with real responsibility and influence, we’d love to hear from you.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and at Bowel Cancer UK we are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates may be subject to either a satisfactory basic, standard or enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) dependent upon the role.

The Opportunity   

As a key team member within our Partnerships and Income Development team, you will play a vital role in supporting the management and growth of our corporate partnerships, with a focus on partnerships that enable and enhance our Aspiring Professionals Programme.

1. Account Management: 

• Ownership and management of the direction, growth and success of key strategic partnerships with Freshfields and Linklaters, providing excellent stewardship and effective communications to ensure long-term and mutually beneficial relationships.
• Manage, renew and develop a select portfolio of smaller existing partnerships in the legal sector, identifying new opportunities to deliver greater impact and income growth.
• Support internal account management structure across corporate programme partnerships, ensuring relationship management and programme delivery is delivered to a high standard, processes are consistently upheld, and partnerships are renewed where required.

2. Stewardship and Reporting: 

• Track deadlines, deliverables and reporting requirements for own portfolio of corporate partnerships.
• Create reports, updates and support with the creation of case studies to demonstrate the value and impact of partnerships.
• Find creative ways to share updates and engage partners with our mission and work 
• Work closely with the Head of Partnerships & Income Development, Partnerships Manager and finance team to build budgets, track secured income accurately, report on risk and opportunities, and ensure that income is banked.

3. New Business and Partnership Development

• Work closely with the Programme Delivery team to understand programme needs and gaps in provision, in order to improve the quality, depth and breadth of programme partnerships.
• Use your expertise and creativity to design and shape strategic programme partnerships that align partner objectives with student and programme outcomes. 
• Write, build and create compelling and innovative partnership proposals, budgets and presentations to secure new business and develop existing partnerships.
• Deliver a smooth onboarding process for transitioning new partners into account management structure.

4. Line Management

• Outline outcomes to be achieved, considering individual skills, capabilities, and workload to ensure a balanced distribution of work.
• Review work outputs, monitor and quality assure work.
• Identify training and development needs; employ a coaching approach, and clarify opportunities for skill enhancement and career growth.

See attached job description for more detail on the key responsibilities in the role

Person Specification:

We need someone who will demonstrate our organisational skills-based competencies - as listed below: 

1.  Leadership
2.  Communication
3.  Adaptability
4.  Professionalism 
5.  Decision-making

Technical knowledge, understanding and experience required:

• Demonstrable experience of working in a partnership role in a charity or similar non-profit organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of building, maintaining and developing outstanding and mutually beneficial corporate partnerships. 
• Knowledge of programme design and planning with corporate partners, including setting and managing complex budgets.
• Understanding of good practice in fundraising including data protection and partner stewardship. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel. 
• A basic level of understanding of Salesforce CRM 

See attached job description for more detail on the person specification

Ways of working:

• Most of our work is office based, but you will spend a lot of time collaborating with other teams and clients via email, telephone and other communications channels such as Teams or Zoom. 
• Some travel will be required as part of this role to other offices and locations, as needed for events, work placements and meetings. 

Benefits

• 36/37 days' annual leave (England & Wales and Scotland respectively - includes bank and public holidays), with 3 of these days reserved for the annual end of year office closure.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• 5% Salary sacrifice pension scheme with enhanced matching employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Programme available to staff and their family
• Flexible work options such as hybrid working, flexitime, part-time
• Regular staff team building and business planning “away days”

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this role, please head over to our website by 23:59, Sunday 22nd February and answer the following questions:

1) Why would you like to work at the Social Mobility Foundation? (250 words max.)

2) What makes you a suitable candidate for this role, including specific examples from your experience and skills? (500 words max.)

3) Tell us about a time when you managed an important relationship with a corporate partner, client or external stakeholder. What was your role in maintaining the relationship, and what did you learn about effective account management from the experience? (500 words max.)

Location: Hybrid (London-based)

Contract: Full-time

Salary: up to £38,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

We’re seeking an experienced, motivated Programme Manager with a passion for music and culture, and the confidence to drive projects forward in a small, collaborative team. 

This is an exciting time to join CDR as we grow nationally and you will play a pivotal role in shaping and scaling three of our core programmes at a time of real momentum.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years experience in delivering music education programmes, be highly organised, and proactive.

CDR is an organisation committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do, from our programmes to our hiring practices. We particularly welcome and encourage applications from Black people and others who are currently underrepresented in the music and cultural industry. 

About CDR

CDR is a community-first music organisation working towards an equitable music industry for producers and artists. Founded in 2002, we have a 20-year track record of nurturing independent music makers and pushing UK electronic music forward.

We connect education with modern music culture, empowering people to create new music, define their sound, and release music on their own terms. Our programmes span schools, youth centres, grassroots venues and international collaborations — from Newham to Nairobi.

As a Black-led, London-based National Portfolio Organisation (Arts Council England), we are building the CDR Pathway: a cohesive journey that unlocks creativity in people at a young age and supports them to develop their creative practice throughout their lives.

This is an exciting time to join CDR: after recently becoming an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation, we are rapidly growing our projects around the country. Building on 20 years of heritage in the UK underground music scene, there is a significant opportunity to push on further and grow CDR’s profile to establish ourselves as a leading music and education organisation nationally.

The Programmes You’ll Lead

Music Producer Club (MPC) – digital music-making for young people aged 12–18, delivered in schools, youth centres and online. Taught by ‘producer educators’ - working music producers we train to educate the next generation -, MPC builds creativity, skills and confidence while connecting participants with electronic music culture and the national curriculum.

Process – a development programme for women, non-binary and trans+ music makers. Structured across three strands for different abilities (Create, Define, Release), Process combines workshops, mentoring and masterclasses to build skills, confidence and community for underrepresented producers.

Out The Box (OTB) – hands-on analogue mixing workshops in leading London studios, giving emerging producers practical experience with desks, outboard gear and professional engineers while bridging digital and analogue production techniques.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Management

• Lead planning, scheduling and delivery of MPC, Process and Out The Box programmes and events.

• Manage a growing team of freelance staff who help deliver and coordinate our projects.

• Manage budgets and ensure all programmes are delivered within budget

• Build and maintain relationships with all programme stakeholders and partners, acting as the main point of contact.

• Work in partnership with the Communications Manager on refining marketing strategies and promotional materials

• Lead recruitment and selection of programme participants and act as the main point of contract for participants, providing pastoral support where relevant

• Build strong, ongoing relationships with participants, ensuring CDR remains responsive to their creative development and continues to build our community

• Contribute to the development of online/digital delivery models that complement in-person programming and expand access to underrepresented communities.

• Represent CDR at events, conferences and networks.

• Review and manage all relevant invoices in collaboration with Operation Manager

• Complete administrative tasks where necessary

Quality Monitoring & Evaluation

• Collect and analyse participant data, case studies and feedback, and drive solutions in response to pain points.

• Support continuous improvement by feeding programme insights into CDR’s evolving evaluation framework, learning outputs, and communications strategy.

• Ensure safeguarding, risk assessments and health and safety are adhered to across all programmes. Implementing training, good practice and further planning where necessary.

• Ensure programme curriculums are adhered to and quality is upkept across all programmes

• Oversee evaluation processes for participant progress.

• Report to funders, trustees and stakeholders.

• Contribute to programme design improvements.

• Ensure programmes are inclusive, culturally relevant and aligned with CDR’s strategic objectives.

• Monitor accessibility needs

• Organise annual training for MPC educators
   

Strategic Development

• Work with senior management to scale and embed programmes nationally.

• Ensure programmes align with and contribute to the CDR Pathway, supporting participants to progress from entry-level engagement to sustained creative practice and professional development.

• Support the Communications & Partnerships Manager with documentation of programme impact through stories, media, or participant content, contributing to CDR’s growing digital archive and visibility.

• Work with the Communications & Partnerships Manager to develop new partnerships to increase our programme’s reach and impact

• Identify and pursue growth and collaboration opportunities.

• Support fundraising and development

Person Specification

Essential

• Track record of managing and growing programmes in education, youth, or the arts.

• Strong organisational and time-management skills.

• Experience working with schools, youth centres, studios or community partners.

• Safeguarding knowledge and practice.

• Experience working directly with young people.

• Experience managing freelance or creative teams.

• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills.

• Strong digital literacy, with confidence in using tools for asynchronous planning, comms, and evaluation (e.g. Google Drive, SmartSuite etc.).

• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Interest in electronic music, grassroots culture, and community-focused work

• Proactive self starter, comfortable working in a small, dynamic team.

Desirable

• Knowledge of music education or digital music production.

• Report-writing or fundraising experience.

• Familiarity with major funding  reporting requirements - i.e. Arts Council England and PRS

• Understanding of talent development models and pathways into the music industry.

Terms & Benefits

• Full-time, hybrid working with a London office base.

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + office closure (Christmas week).

• Pension scheme.

• Training and professional development opportunities.

Reports to: CEO

Start Date: Mid/End March

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at CDR

CDR is committed to equity and inclusion in everything we do, from our programmes to our hiring practices. We believe a diverse team is essential to a thriving music and cultural industry.

We particularly welcome and encourage applications from Black people and others who are currently underrepresented in the music and cultural industry. In line with the Equality Act 2010, we guarantee equal opportunity regardless of any protected characteristic.

Accessibility and reasonable adjustments 

We provide reasonable adjustments for all candidates. If you require support or specific arrangements for the application or interview process, please contact us via email. We are here to ensure you can perform at your best during the recruitment process.

The Director of Programmes & Learning (DPL) provides strategic, technical, and operational leadership for Amna’s programmes across all geographies, partners, and ecosystem levels. The DPL champions a culture of learning, quality, and continuous improvement, ensuring that all programme strategies and initiatives are designed to advance Amna’s global mission.

Please note that compensation will be benchmarked and weighted according to the cost of living and market standards in the country where the candidate currently resides

Your Park Bristol & Bath uses parks to deliver positive social change. We work across three themes: health, access and nature. With funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, our Roots to Wellbeing programme supports people struggling with their mental health to build confidence, connection and resilience through nature-based group sessions.

We are now looking for a skilled and compassionate Senior Health & Community Officer to lead delivery of Roots to Wellbeing across Bristol and Bath

About Roots to Wellbeing

Roots to Wellbeing is our Green Social Prescribing programme. We run 18-week rolling programmes in parks, supporting people who are experiencing poor mental health or finding life challenging. Participants take part in activities rooted in the University of Derby’s 5 pathways to nature connection, including nature walks, mindfulness, creative practice and practical conservation work

This role is about more than running sessions. It is about building trust, creating safety, and helping people who may never have felt parks were “for them” to develop a meaningful relationship with nature and community.

The role

You will:

• Build and maintain strong referral partnerships

• Triage referrals and ensure sessions are accessible and inclusive

• Plan and deliver weekly nature-based wellbeing sessions

• Line manage a Nature Co-Facilitator

• Support monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Work in parks across Bristol and Bath

This is a practical, people-facing role. You will be outdoors in all seasons and confident facilitating groups with complex needs.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has at least two years’ experience working directly with people with mental health and complex needs

• Has delivered group-based nature or eco-therapy activities

• Understands green social prescribing

• Can build strong, trusting relationships with participants and partners

• Is organised, emotionally intelligent and solutions focused

A qualification in mental health and line management experience are desirable. An Enhanced DBS is required

What we offer

• Home-based contract with access to office space at Engine Shed

• 25 days annual leave pro rata, plus your birthday off and office closure between Christmas and New Year

• Nest pension after probation

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Flexible working

• A supportive team committed to inclusion and lived experience

Diversity and inclusion

We want our team to reflect the communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from Disabled people, people from visibly ethnic minority backgrounds, carers and people from low income households.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for Disabled and visibly minority ethnic candidates who meet the essential criteria

You do not need to meet every single desirable criterion. Potential matters to us.

How to apply

Apply via CharityJob with:

• Your CV

• A covering letter (maximum two pages) explaining how you meet the person specification

Applications close at midnight on Sunday 1 March 2026.

** To read the full job description and submit your application and CV, please visit the Vacancies Page on the Libraries Unlimited website **

Senior Fundraising & Business Development Officer – (Job ref: FBD001)

Salary: £28,800 gross per annum (£36,000 FTE)
Hours: 29.6 hours over 4 days (working pattern to be discussed with successful candidate)
Location: Hybrid (home working and Exeter Library)
Closing date: 9am, Monday 2nd March 2026
Interview date: Thursday 19th March 2026 at Cullompton Library

We’re one of Devon’s biggest charities, with a passion for enriching the lives of local people and communities through the power of reading. We’re looking to continue our success of generating income to support our charitable activities, and so if you also have a record of success, and a passion for what we do, then we’d love to hear from you. In return we can offer:

• 24 days holiday per year, plus Bank Holidays, rising to 26 days after 5 years’ continuous service
• Pension – defined contribution pension scheme with matched employer contributions of up to 6%
• Enhanced maternity and shared parental pay / Enhanced paternity pay
• Free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme offering practical and emotional support by phone and online
• Access to free and discounted tickets to live music, comedy, theatre and sports events in the UK via Tickets for Good
• Cycle to Work Scheme/ Employee Benefits Scheme with Extras Discounts

** To read the full job description and submit your application and CV, please visit the Vacancies Page on the Libraries Unlimited website **

We're seeking two Research Grants Officer to join our Research Funds team and support the Joint Heads of Research Funds in all matters relating to the operation of grants administration.

About the role

British Heart Foundation (BHF) currently has six research funding committees: Chairs & Programme Grants Committee; Clinical Studies Committee; Fellowships Committee (Clinical); Fellowships Committee (Discovery Research); Project Grants Committee and Translational Awards Committee. 

These new Research Grants Officer role will support the work of our Fellowships Committee and Special Programmes, as well as covering the work of the other Grants Officers in relation to other committees, when required.
 
In this role you’ll deal with correspondence and address queries relating to all aspects of grants administration in a timely manner. You’ll also administer preliminary outline and full applications, provide feedback and advice to applicants, as well as facilitate and attend committee meetings, arrange interviews and prepare and distribute minutes of the meeting.

You’ll be at ease using a complex database and will provide a high level of service to senior members of the scientific community.

About you

An experienced administrator, you’ll be able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines, capable of working independently and producing accurate work with minimal supervision.

With excellent interpersonal skills and confidence, you’ll be able to liaise confidently and professionally with all levels of seniority.

With advanced IT skills (Microsoft Office including SharePoint) and database knowledge, you’ll preferably have previous experience servicing committees. You’ll also have previous financial experience, able to pay invoices and be involved in budgeting.

This role will manage multiple projects at once with conflicting deadlines, so excellent multi-tasking, organisational and time management skills are a must.

Customer focused, you’ll have strong analytical abilities, accuracy and attention to detail as well as excellent numeracy and literacy skills.

Belonging at BHF

BHF values the diversity of our communities and is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and valued. By fostering a culture of inclusion, we believe we are better equipped to achieve our mission of helping people have a healthier heart for longer. 

To hear from our people, check out Belonging at BHF.  
 
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. By funding research across six decades, we’ve helped keep millions of hearts beating and millions of families together. We’re investing in ground-breaking research that will get us closer than ever to a world where everyone has a healthier heart for longer. 

Working arrangements

This is a hybrid role, where your work will be split between your home and at least one day per week, on average, in our London Office. This may vary from time to time, so you will need to work in a flexible way to unlock your best work for our cause.

Benefits and development

We offer a competitive range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, and opportunities for personal and professional growth and continuous learning.  

To find out more about our benefits you can download the Benefits document at the bottom of this page or check out what we offer  on our Benefits and Development pages.   
 
Need more help balancing your work and home life? Talk to us about what flexibility is available at the application or interview stage. 

Interview process

Interviews will be held, in person, at our London offices between Tuesday 10th to Thursday 12th March. The interview will consist of a Q&A session followed by a written task, details for which will be provided on the day. 

How to apply

It’s quick and easy to apply for a role at the BHF. Just click through to our careers site to apply. All you’ll need is an up-to-date CV and a supporting statement, outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the role’s criteria.
 
Our recruitment processes are fair, accessible, and inclusive. BHF use anonymous CV software as part of the application journey.  
 
Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us. 

Job title: Programme Assistant, Enquiries 

Line manager: Team Leader, Enquiries (Senior Officer, Enquiries in Team Leader’s absence) 

Salary: £30,000 

Type of contract: Permanent 

Start date: 16th February 2026 or shortly thereafter 

Benefits: 

• Challenging and rewarding work, always life-changing, sometimes lifesaving 

• Competitive salary 

• Team and individual training opportunities 

• Commitment to performance and personal development 

• Hybrid working, home and office (minimum 2 days each week in the office) 

• Eight hours each day Monday – Friday, with flexible working by arrangement around core hours of 10am – 4pm 

• 25 days plus Bank Holidays annual leave entitlement 

• 8% employer pension contribution 

• Convenient office location at Elephant and Castle, close to Tube (Bakerloo and Northern lines) and bus routes 

Role purpose statement: The Programme Assistant, Enquiries plays a vital role in the Fellowship Programme working directly with academics facing immediate risk in their home countries to carry out due diligence or signposting. This includes managing an individual caseload, dealing with prospective applications and general enquiries, providing administrative support to the Enquiries team as well as support across the Fellowship Programme when needed. 

Organisational Background 

The Council for At-Risk Academics is a UK-registered charity founded in 1933 under the leadership of William Beveridge, to rescue academics suffering persecution under the rise of Nazism and facilitate their continued work in safety. Sixteen Cara Fellows from the 1930s and 1940s became Nobel Laureates, and many more innovators in their fields, including, Nikolaus Pevsner, Lise Meitner and Karl Popper. A number of Cara’s founders and Council members also personally provided places and/or funds to help individual academics; and Cara, known in the 1930s as the AAC, later the SPSL, was closely involved in the successful effort in 1933 to bring to London the Warburg Institute art library, which had been prohibited by the Nazis, and six of its staff. The Fellowship Programme is the continuation of the rescue mission operation started in 1933. 

Cara has been a lifeline to academics at risk for over 90 years, as and when world events have placed them in the line of fire: Hungarian Uprising, Cold War, Apartheid South Africa, Iran, Latin American Juntas, Vietnam, Kosovo, DRC, Rwanda, Sudan, Zimbabwe etc. and, more recently Iraq, Turkey, Yemen, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Cara support is typically framed as temporary sanctuary offered at times of heightened risk. 

Cara Objectives ‘To assist academics who have been, or are, or are at risk of being, subject to discrimination, persecution, suffering or violence on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, to relieve needs among them and their dependants and ensure that their specialist knowledge and abilities can continue to be used for the benefit of the public.’ 

‘To advance education by supporting academics and their educational institutions in countries where their continuing work is at risk or compromised, to ensure that such academics and institutions can continue to fulfil their critical role as educators for the public benefit.’ 

This is a critical time to join our dedicated and friendly Fellowship Programme team as we expand our capacity to support at-risk academics from the Middle East, Sudan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia and many other countries. 

Role & Responsibilities  

Casework  

• Signposting prospective applicants to the application form. 

• Manage own caseload, preparing cases for eligibility review, including arranging calls to speak with applicants, booking English language tests, and gathering all relevant documentation.

• Escalating complex cases to the Team Leader as required. 

• Maintain accurate and GDPR-Compliant records of casework activity. 

• Researching international affairs to develop understanding about risks applicants face. 

• Researching potential hosts for academic placements and liaising with external stakeholders in relation to applicants. 

• Attend weekly case review meetings with the team. 

Administration   

• Provide general administrative and logistical support, including answering phone enquiries. 

• Manage the general enquiries inbox, alongside another colleague, answering emails about the enquiries’ process, the Fellowship Programme and Cara. 

• Signpost enquiries to relevant colleagues internally and to other organisations where applicable. 

• Contribute to report writing. 

• Present and collect data on general enquiries and applications to the Programme. 

• Ensure safekeeping of confidential information. 

• Maintain excellent detailed records of correspondence, documents, and activities. 

• Provide administrative support to colleagues on projects as required.

Managerial Support  

• Contributing to Fellowship Programme policy changes and decision-making. 

• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues. 

Ad Hoc Responsibilities  

• Show adaptability and willingness to take on additional work when necessary. 

• Support the Fellowship Programme and Cara as a whole with ad hoc responsibilities.

Responsibilities also include related activities that might arise in relation to the Fellowship Programme as required by the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive & Fellowship Programme Manager, and other senior colleagues. 

Person Specification 

Essential:  

• Bachelor’s degree 

• Fluent English (spoken and written) 

• Proactive with a willingness to learn 

• Confident and empathetic with strong interpersonal and communication skills 

• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment 

• Keen team player who is ready to support and help colleagues 

• Excellent record keeping and attention to detail 

• Ability to work independently and in a team 

• Good time management with ability to prioritise and independently work to deadlines 

• Understanding of issues of confidentiality

• Interest in and commitment to the work of Cara 

• Confident use of Microsoft package 

• Awareness of current global issues

• Ability to handle difficult conversations with sensitivity and resilience 

Desirable 

• Master’s or equivalent experience 

• Casework experience 

• Arabic language skills are desirable. Other foreign languages (such as Farsi/Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian and Russian) will also be considered 

• Salesforce/CRM software experience 

• Experience in a supporting role with people with lived experience of forced migration or other forms of severe adversity 

Role Overview: Reporting to the CEO, the Senior Fundraiser will lead funding  applications, relationship-building with donors and stakeholders, and the development of systems and tools to support sustainable growth and income generation through fundraising.

Role Tasks and Responsibilities: 

Strategic Planning and Leadership:

• Inform development of a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with the charity’s mission, long-term goals, and emerging priorities.
• Identify and develop fundraising-related policies and procedures to ensure compliance and best practice.
• Provide strategic advice to the CEO on funder requirements, including appropriate metrics, outcomes, and impact reporting expectations.

Fundraising and Income Generation:

• Develop a detailed fundraising blueprint, outlining language, approach, and strategy for each voluntary income stream (e.g. Trusts and Foundations, Individual Giving, Legacy, Corporate Partnerships).
• Identify, develop, and submit funding bids and proposals.
• Ensure that the charity's website and digital channels are optimised to support fundraising efforts, including donor journey mapping and supporter newsletters.
• Develop, launch, and oversee a legacy donation programme, including campaign planning.
• Use and develop AI ‘training’ document/s to enhance the efficiency and quality of funding applications.

Relationship Building and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Map and cultivate relationships with donors, funders, members, and other stakeholders, including individuals within the network who have capacity to give.                                                       
• Attend the board’s fundraising subcommittee, working closely with the CEO and trustee board subcommittee representative to agree agendas and facilitate meetings.
• Provide regular updates to the CEO on fundraising progress, opportunities, challenges, and risks.
   

 Operational Development and Systems:

• Support the adoption and use of Beacon (CRM platform), contributing to the development of internal fundraising systems and processes.
   

General Responsibilities

• Uphold and promote EoLDUK’s mission, values, and policies.
• Maintain discretion and confidentiality in all professional matters.
• Undertake additional duties related to fundraising as required by the EoLDUK CEO and Board.

Person Specification

 Essential Requirements

• Based in and has permission to work in the UK
• Demonstrable success in securing high-value funding
• Excellent verbal/written communication and persuasive writing skills for making compelling cases and reports to diverse audiences
• Understanding of EoLDUK’s work, mission, ethos and ability to represent it clearly and professionally
• Reliable, detail-orientated, and organised
• Self-motivated and able to work independently
• Strong IT capabilities (e.g., Microsoft Office, completing online applications, using AI tools to streamline application drafting)
• Demonstrates commitment to EoLDUK’s mission
• Experience of using and maintaining a fundraising database 

 Desirable

• Previous experience of developing fundraising strategy
• Previous experience of using a CRM system to manage fundraising 
• Previous experience of using AI tools for funding applications