Senior trusts and foundations fundraiser jobs

Scottish Opera is Scotland’s national opera company and the country’s largest performing arts organisation. Founded in 1962 to make opera accessible to all, the company presents productions of international acclaim, from early works to world premieres. Performances are designed to be inclusive, with supertitles, audio-described and dementia-friendly shows, free and discounted tickets for under-26s, refugees, asylum seekers and schools, and touring productions reaching communities across Scotland.

The charity has a network of Patrons, members and supporters who engage with Scottish Opera at varying levels. This role supports that audience to feel connected and engaged with Scottish Opera, deepening their loyalty and seeking new ways to increase giving levels where possible and appropriate. It is a hands-on fundraising role, with scope to think and trial new ways of delivering supporter experience with the ultimate goal of growing the supporter base.

It is an exciting time to join Scottish Opera. They have invested in the fundraising team, there is organisation-wide support for fundraising, and many opportunities to engage supporters with exciting opportunities across Scottish Opera’s calendar.

This role might be for you if you consider yourself a relationship fundraiser – this is a people first role where engaging with donors over the phone and face to face will be the norm. You don’t have to have a background in philanthropy, you could have experience across community fundraising, corporate partnerships, individual giving or mid-value fundraising – the most important factor is that you understand fundraising and enjoy building great relationships with supporters and donors. This role is a great opportunity for an experienced fundraiser to step into a management level role, or for a candidate looking to specialise in mid-value, Patrons and membership fundraising.

Working within an arts and culture charity would be helpful for the candidate to have but isn't essential.

Application notes 

Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.

To progress your application, please contact Jo at THINK Recruitment as per the guidance in the Candidate Pack to organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot shortlist candidates who have not had a screening call so please allow enough time to have a call before the closing date.

If you need assistance with downloading the pack, please send THINK Recruitment and our team will support you.

Closing date for applications: Midnight Monday 20th July 

Interviews are planned for Wednesday 29th or Thursday 30th July (Stage 1) and Wednesday 5th or Friday 7th August (Stage 2) 

Philanthropy Manager
Full-time 41 hours per week

Hybrid (at least 3 days per week on-site in Bloomsbury, London)
Permanent contract
£48,756 per annum
Application deadline: 23 July 2026

About the role

It is an exciting time to join the British Museum. Under the leadership of Director Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE and the Board of Trustees, the Museum is embarking on an ambitious programme of transformation through its , a major redevelopment project that will reimagine the Museum for the 21st century while safeguarding its collection and ensuring public access for generations to come.

As part of this vision, the Museum is preparing to launch a major fundraising campaign with a target of raising at least £500 million through philanthropy.

As Philanthropy Manager, you will play a key role in securing and stewarding major gifts from individual supporters, family foundations, trusts, donor-advised funds and other philanthropic partners. Working closely with senior colleagues across the Development team and wider Museum, you will help grow long-term relationships with donors, develop compelling funding opportunities, and support the delivery of ambitious fundraising targets for both revenue and capital projects.

About you

You are an experienced major gifts fundraiser with a track record of securing five- and six-figure donations and managing relationships with high-net-worth individuals, trusts, foundations and their advisors. You are a confident communicator and persuasive writer, able to build strong relationships and develop compelling cases for support.

Highly organised and self-motivated, you are comfortable managing a varied portfolio of prospects, balancing competing priorities and working towards ambitious income targets. You bring strong judgement, excellent stakeholder management skills and a collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively across a complex organisation.

Key areas of responsibility

• Manage a portfolio of major donor prospects and supporters, developing tailored cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies to secure significant gifts.
• Support the planning and delivery of cultivation, stewardship and fundraising events, including the .
• Raise funds for key Museum priorities, contributing to annual income targets and the development of the Museum's major capital campaign.
• Research, write and deliver high-quality funding proposals, reports and donor communications that are engaging, accurate and persuasive.
• Build strong relationships with donors, trustees, advisors and colleagues across the Museum.

Benefits

At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do and have designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. Our full list of benefits can be found , but we've outlined some highlights below:

• Free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access.
• Civil Service Pension Scheme with a secure, inflation-linked defined benefit.
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days (and +5 days after 10 years).
• Peer support and allyship with five diversity networks for community.
• Learning and development through courses, mentoring and Athena as well as support for professional qualifications.
• Enhanced parental leave including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.
• Support for carers through Employers for Carers.
• Interest-free loans including season ticket, rental deposit and bicycle loans.

Our Values

Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered:

• Care Deeply
• Embrace the Unknown
• Spark Curiosity
• Value Many Voices

These are a core part of how we recruit. Throughout the application, interview and selection process, we look for examples of how candidates demonstrate these behaviours in their own work and experiences. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our values and reflect them in your application.

Additional details

If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details

Right to Work: The British Museum holds a Skilled Worker sponsor licence. Applicants are responsible for determining whether the advertised salary and role meet current UKVI sponsorship requirements and for ensuring they have, or can obtain, the appropriate right to work in the UK. The Museum cannot provide immigration advice, and eligibility should be checked before submitting an application.

The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.

Hours: 28 hrs per week. Permanent
Salary: £43,500 pro rata (£34,800 actual)
Location: Hybrid - Our offices are based in London, and there is a high degree of flexibility.
 
We are seeking an ambitious and relationship-driven Philanthropy Manager to play a key role in growing our major donor and philanthropic income. Building on a strong foundation that currently generates over £150,000 annually through our donor-giving circles and major gifts programme, you will develop and manage relationships with high-value supporters, philanthropists, and high-net-worth individuals.
 
Working closely with senior leadership and key stakeholders, you will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, creating meaningful engagement opportunities and delivering exceptional supporter experiences. Through strategic relationship management, compelling impact reporting, and proactive pipeline development, you will secure significant philanthropic income and help drive the charity’s future growth and impact.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced fundraiser with a proven track record in major donor fundraising, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on delivery to achieve ambitious income targets.
 
About Missing People
 
Somebody goes missing in the UK every 90 seconds. Missing People exists to ease the heartache experienced by those missing someone, and to help people who are away from home find their way back to safety. Our vision is for every missing child, adult and family left behind to find help, hope and a safe way to reconnect. We are a non-judgemental, highly skilled team of staff and volunteers working for everyone who needs us. We provide free, confidential support, help and advice by phone, email, text and live chat. We coordinate a UK-wide network of people, businesses and media to join the search for the estimated 170,000 people who go missing each year. Missing People aims to put people with lived experience at the heart of our work, amplifying their voices to achieve change.
 
About You
 
You will be a forward-looking and collaborative Philanthropy Manager. You will have a vital role in growing philanthropy at Missing People, helping to connect committed supporters with work that can change lives and bring hope to people affected by disappearance.
 
You will help shape the next stage of our philanthropy programme, building trusted relationships with philanthropists and supporters who want to make a tangible difference. Your work will directly support our ability to reach more missing people, families and loved ones at moments of crisis, while helping us build the sustainable income needed to deliver our long-term strategy. A key part of your role will be helping donors see and understand the difference their support makes, translating our impact into compelling, personalised communications and stewardship that inspire long-term commitment.
 
You will need to have:

• Experience in developing and monitoring the implementation of fundraising strategies, budgets and operational plans;
• Experience of working with high-net-worth individuals and securing five and six-figure gifts;
• Significant experience within a philanthropy / major donor fundraising role, with a proven track record of developing relationships and exceeding fundraising targets;
• Ability to develop and drive forward new projects and initiatives, taking the lead and/or working collaboratively with colleagues;
• Ability to manage high profile people, acting with a high level of professionalism at all times;
• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written, with an ability to relate with a diverse group of individuals (e.g. executives, high net worth individuals and community leaders);
• Right to work in the UK.

 
What you will get in return
 
Missing People is a friendly and supportive place to work – it’s a welcoming, caring organisation which really makes a difference to people affected by the issue of missing throughout the UK. We offer generous paid holidays, a range of enhanced family friendly benefits and are happy to talk about flexible working in most roles.
 
Find out more and apply
 
If you want to be a lifeline when someone goes missing, click apply to read the full job description. You will find attached a detailed job description and person specification and a letter to applicants from the line manager.
 
To apply, please ensure you include your CV and a brief covering letter explaining how you would be a good fit for this role. We look forward to receiving your application.
 
Closing date: 12 July 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient interest, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
 
Interviews: 20 July 2026
 
You may have experience of the following: Major Gifts Manager, Donor Relations Manager, Fundraising Manager, Relationship Manager - Philanthropy, , Development Manager, Philanthropic Partnerships Manager, Senior Fundraiser, Major Donor Manager, Major Donor Coordinator, Donor Development Manager
 
REF-229 445

Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Their vision is a world where everyone has equal access to clean air, water, and energy; where the nature we love is protected, precious habitats are restored and communities are united by ambitious climate action.

Greenpeace UK’s Key Relationships programme raises around £15–16 million each year from major donors, trusts, foundations and legacies, playing a vital role in funding the organisation’s campaigning work.

We are looking for a talented relationship fundraiser to manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, building authentic relationships that inspire significant philanthropic support for some of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join one of the charity sector’s most successful major gifts programmes. Working closely with the Deputy Head of Major Gifts, you will take ownership of a portfolio of committed supporters, developing tailored cultivation strategies, making significant asks and delivering exceptional stewardship.

Much of your portfolio will comprise existing donors with considerable potential for growth, while you’ll also bring new supporters into the pipeline through thoughtful prospecting and relationship building. You’ll create meaningful opportunities for donors to connect with Greenpeace’s work, whether through one-to-one meetings, campaign briefings, events or bespoke engagement experiences that reflect their individual interests and motivations.

You’ll join a highly collaborative fundraising team with dedicated Events & Operations support, prospect research resource and strong internal relationships across the organisation. This is an opportunity to develop your major gifts expertise, take ownership of high-value relationships and play a visible role in the continued growth of Greenpeace UK’s philanthropic fundraising.

As Major Gifts Officer, you will:

• Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, building trusted relationships that maximise long-term philanthropic support
• Develop and deliver tailored cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for each supporter, taking responsibility for the full donor journey
• Identify new prospects, secure meetings and create bespoke engagement plans that build a strong pipeline of future supporters
• Make compelling asks through face-to-face meetings, telephone conversations and written proposals, securing significant gifts for Greenpeace UK’s priorities
• Create meaningful opportunities for donors to engage with Greenpeace’s campaigning work through events, briefings, visits and other bespoke experiences
• Work closely with colleagues across fundraising, campaigns and communications to develop inspiring donor propositions and stewardship
• Manage your portfolio using donor insight, research and pipeline planning, ensuring accurate CRM records and contributing towards ambitious income targets
• Play an active role within the Major Gifts team, sharing intelligence, supporting colleagues and contributing to the continued success of the programme

Essential skills and experience:

• Experience identifying, cultivating and securing significant gifts from HNWIs or experience of personally securing high value income through developing relationships with individuals, for example strategic corporate partnerships or relevant out-of-sector experience.
• Experience managing a portfolio of donors, clients, accounts or comparable external relationships, developing tailored engagement strategies that build long-term relationships
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop compelling proposals, pitches and donor communications, and build credibility with senior stakeholders
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple relationships simultaneously, prioritise competing demands, maintain accurate records and deliver against income or commercial targets
• A warm, authentic and emotionally intelligent relationship-builder, able to adapt your approach to different audiences and create meaningful engagement opportunities
• Confident representing an organisation professionally at meetings, events and other external engagements
• A collaborative approach, sound judgement and genuine commitment to Greenpeace UK’s values and mission

Desirable, but not essential:

• Substantial major donor fundraising (full cycle) experience
• Experience securing high 5-figure or 6-figure+ gifts or comparable high-value income
• Experience of capital campaigns or other strategic relationship fundraising

Diversity and Inclusion

Greenpeace UK recognise the value in having a diverse workforce, as well as the importance of creating equal opportunities for all. Applications are welcomed and encouraged from people of all backgrounds.

Applications are particularly encouraged from people of colour, disabled people, and people who identify as working class now or in the past.

Candidates will be selected based on how well they meet the criteria for the role and all applicants will be treated fairly throughout the recruitment process.

If you have any specific requirements which would enable you to participate in the recruitment process more fully, in particular if these relate to a disability or access issue, please contact Laura at QuarterFive as soon as possible. If you require the job pack in a different format, please get in touch and we will happily provide you with one.

Anti-racism and inclusion commitments

Greenpeace UK wants its team to reflect the diversity of the communities it works alongside. It is committed to fairness, inclusion, and challenging discrimination and oppression in all its forms.

The environmental sector still has further to go when it comes to representation. Greenpeace UK has published ambitious race representation targets and, through its Anti Racism Plan, is working proactively to achieve stronger representation of people of colour, particularly within leadership positions.

As part of this commitment, a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) is being piloted. Greenpeace UK aims to offer an interview to everyone who opts into the scheme and meets the essential criteria. Guaranteed interview applications will be processed by QuarterFive and shared only with the Greenpeace UK recruiting manager and HR team.

If you identify as a person of colour and meet the essential criteria for the role, you can choose to opt in to the Guaranteed Interview Scheme via the screening questions (click on 'Apply' to view these). 

Don’t meet every single requirement? Research shows that women and people of colour may hesitate to apply unless they meet every area of the person specification. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet all the criteria, you are encouraged to apply.

Employee benefits

Employee benefits include: 

• 25 days annual leave for full-time staff, with additional leave accrued according to length of service up to a maximum of 32 days
• Once a month, all Greenpeace staff take an organisational ‘breather’ day where the office closes with no expectations of output on these days
• Office closure normally occurs between Christmas and new year and staff are not required to use annual leave to cover this period
• Employer pension contribution of 8.5% of basic salary, provided employees contribute at least 3%
• Interest free season ticket loan, or a tax efficient bicycle loan
• Life assurance scheme (4 x annual salary)
• Employee Assistance Programme that includes access to free confidential advice with a qualified counsellor