Senior trusts fundraiser jobs

The Christie Charity is an ambitious and forward-thinking organisation with a loyal supporter base. As an independent charity, everything we do is geared to supporting the renowned Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester to ensure that cancer patients receive the highest level of treatment and care and have access to world leading research and technology.  

We are looking for an enthusiastic and organised fundraiser who will be focussed on securing gifts from trusts and foundations. You will have previous experience of researching and writing detailed information. You should be a team player with excellent communication skills and be highly IT literate.

You would be part of a successful, high achieving collaborative team and be joining The Christie Charity at an exciting time, with the launch of key capital appeals enabling us to see a real step change in our income.

If you want to make a real difference to cancer patients and are ready to rise to the challenge of working for one of the most successful charities in the Northwest please apply.

Senior Trust and Statutory Fundraising Manager

Are you an experienced fundraiser with a passion for making a difference? This is an exciting time to join Mencap as we launch our new strategy and grow our ambitious fundraising team

 With the forthcoming launch of our new strategy on the horizon, Mencap is looking for an experienced and driven Senior Trust and Statutory Fundraising Manager. This role is pivotal in aligning our new strategic priorities with donor engagement to secure long-term support and significant income. As the Senior Trust and Statutory Fundraising Manager, you will play a key leadership role within the High Value Relationships team and will work closely with the High Value Relationships Lead to ensure key priorities and goals are met.

This excellent opportunity is offering a full-time contract (37.5 hrs per week) on a permanent basis. 

The role will be based in London. However, we are flexible with where you work, but there will be occasional travel to our London office.

Do you have the key responsibilities to be our Senior Trust and Statutory Fundraising Manager? 

• Develop and submit high-quality, strategically aligned proposals that secure six- and seven-figure, multi-year donations, tailored to the priorities of prospective funders and aligned with KPI-driven volume.
• Identify and research new philanthropic prospects, including trusts, foundations.
• Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of income from trusts, foundations, statutory bodies, and lottery funders.
• Focus on cultivating and managing multi-year funding relationships to ensure long-term income sustainability.
• Strengthen existing donor partnerships while proactively identifying and engaging new funding opportunities, statutory bodies, lottery funders, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of mid- to high-value donors, cultivating relationships that lead to significant, multi-year support.
• Create compelling, tailored proposals and stewardship plans aligned with Mencap’s strategic priorities

Do you have the required skills to be our Senior Trust Marketing Manager ? 

• A confident and strategic communicator with a proven track record in trust and statutory fundraising
• Experience securing high-value gifts, ideally six figures and above
• Strong research and prospecting skills to identify new funding opportunities
• The ability to build and maintain long-term donor relationships
• A collaborative team player who can contribute to the wider fundraising strategy

If you are ready to use your skills to help shape the future of Mencap’s fundraising and make a lasting impact on the lives of people with a learning disability, please apply now with an up-to-date CV. This role will close on Friday, 25th July. First-round interviews will be conducted via Teams shortly after.

Benefits

The charity offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.

The benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

About the organisation

The charity’s vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

They're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. Fighting for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

Everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.

Belonging is for everyone, every day, everywhere.

• Everyone is expected to treat people well and make it an inclusive organisation.
• Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes
• Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

There are Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.

The charity wants to encourage everyone to apply and offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. They’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. They will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.

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

About London Play (LP)

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

About London Play Design (LPD)

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

Job Description

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

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

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

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

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

Closing Date: midday 21 July

Reports to: Chief Executive

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

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

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

Closing date: midday 21 July

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

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

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

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

Role Purpose

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

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

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

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

Key Responsibilities

Trusts and foundations

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

Community fundraising

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

Corporate partnerships and other earned income

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

Individual Giving and supporter engagement

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

Marketing and communications (fundraising-focused)

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

Planning and systems

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

Person Specification

Essential

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

Desirable

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

Why work with us?

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

We offer:

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

Charity Fundraiser

The Vine Centre is looking to appoint a fundraiser.

The Vine Centre is a community based Charity offering inclusive support to those living in Rushmoor and its surrounding areas. We specialise in offering mental health, anger management and addiction support. Our offer also includes employment & training services, budgeting, energy support, IT skills and benefit support. We run social groups, yoga, therapeutic art and cookery classes. We run a community pantry which offers food to those most affected by the cost of living crisis.

The Vine Centre is a one stop shop for support working with the most vulnerable in our area our premises are in Aldershot but our reach is across Surrey & Hampshire. 

Previous experience necessary - good IT skills are required, particularly with MS Office, Word and Excel.

The role is offered at 18 hours at  £16,848 - (full-time equivalent 37.5 hours - £35,100). This includes 25 days (Pro-Rata) annual leave (plus bank holidays).

The Vine Centre offers flexible working along with pension contributions.  Opportunities for Training and Development as well as perks and benefits from Bright Exchange.

Closing date is Monday 28th July  2025 @ 5pm.  Interviews will be held the week commencing Monday 4th August 2025.

Tom’s Trust, a charity dedicated to providing clinical psychology support to children, with brain and central nervous system tumours, and their families.  We currently have services in East Anglia, the North East, North West of England and Thames Valley and have ambitious plans to extend our reach but need your help to do so!

Are you a passionate, highly motivated and organised individual? Do you have brilliant application and report writing skills and are able to build effective relationships with donors? If you are, we are seeking a Trusts & Foundations Manager to be an integral part of the Fundraising team where you will be responsible for submitting applications to Trusts & Foundations for our services in the UK.

You will have a minimum of 3 years' experience at management level and will be working to deliver Tom’s Trust’s ambitious targets for trust and foundations income for the coming years and beyond. The post-holder will help to research and explore new avenues for funding and building a strong pipeline of new donors who have the potential to support the charity over multiple years. You will be building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders at charitable trusts and corporate foundations and preparing and delivering targeted funding applications to those organisations.  You will be able to build upon and develop a compelling case for support for both the services we offer as a whole and for specific projects that reflect our work.

Applications are open until 9am on Friday 24th July but we will interview on a rolling basis and will appoint sooner should we find someone suitable so please apply at your earliest convenience.

Tom’s Trust actively welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds. We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with consideration and respect. Tom’s Trust is committed to achieving a truly inclusive environment for all, by developing better working relationships that release the full potential, creativity, and productivity of each individual.

In this role, you’ll be responsible for identifying funding opportunities, crafting compelling grant applications, and securing the resources we need to expand our impact. You’ll work closely with teams across the organisation to shape fundable projects and ensure our proposals reflect both our strategic priorities and the needs of the communities we serve.

At Age UK Oxfordshire, grants from charitable trusts and foundations are a vital source of income—enabling us to deliver life-changing services for older people and unpaid carers across the county. As we implement an ambitious new strategy to double our voluntary income by 2030, we’re investing in the growth of our trust fundraising to help bring that vision to life.

We’re looking for a skilled and proactive Trusts and Foundations Manager to lead this work. In this role, you’ll be responsible for identifying funding opportunities, crafting compelling grant applications, and securing the resources we need to expand our impact. You’ll work closely with teams across the organisation to shape fundable projects and ensure our proposals reflect both our strategic priorities and the needs of the communities we serve.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a central role in our future—helping to unlock vital funding, strengthen our grant-making relationships, and support older people and unpaid carers across Oxfordshire for years to come.

Corporate Fundraiser

Are you a relationship-builder with a passion for social impact?

We’re looking for a proactive and enthusiastic Corporate Fundraiser to join our growing team and help develop partnerships that will transform the lives of young people.

This is an exciting time to join the South West’s largest youth homelessness charity as we continue to develop and deliver life-changing services for young people.

Position: Corporate Fundraiser
Location: Kingsley Hall, Bristol / Hybrid (with flexibility and includes 2 in-person team days per week)
Salary: £31,586 - £33,366 per annum (plus pending 3.2% pay award backdated to the employment start date).
Hours: Full Time (37.5 hours per week)
Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 23:59 on Monday 28th July 2025
Interview Date: Tuesday 5th August 2025

The Role

You will help develop partnerships that transform the lives of young people by supporting the growth of our corporate fundraising income and coordinating inspiring opportunities for supporter engagement.

You will:

• Research, approach, and build relationships with values-aligned businesses.
• Help create compelling partnership proposals and materials that showcase our impact.
• Coordinate supporter events, volunteering days, and youth engagement opportunities.
• Maintain relationships, track donations and manage supporter communications.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure an excellent experience for every partner and donor.

You will work collaboratively in the Fundraising and Communications Team and report to the Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy Manager. If you're enthusiastic about making a difference, ready to bring creativity to your role, and passionate about supporting young people, we would love to hear from you.

About You

We are seeking a proactive and organised relationship-builder who wants to grow their fundraising career in a supportive and high-impact organisation.

You will have:

• Experience in fundraising, sales, customer service, or relationship management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks at once.
• A collaborative, can-do attitude and a willingness to learn.
• Passion for youth empowerment, inclusion, and equity.

Benefits Include:

• 30 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Employee Health Cash Plan with HSF
• Training and career development opportunities
• A supportive and inclusive team culture
• Wellbeing support and colleague check-ins

About the Organisation

We are 1625 Independent People, a leading youth homelessness charity based in Bristol, supporting over 1,500 young people annually. We are driven by social justice, inclusion, and youth voice, and we are committed to transforming lives through high quality housing, support, and opportunities.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, and we encourage applications from individuals with lived experience and underrepresented backgrounds.

Other roles you may have experience in include: Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser, Fundraising Officer, Relationship Manager, Business Development Executive, Corporate Partnerships Officer, Corporate Giving Executive, Marketing Executive or Charity Partnerships Coordinator, etc….

Salary: £34,300 - £37,300
Contract: Full-time/permanent
Location: London Hybrid – 1 day per week in the office
Closing date: 28^th July
Benefits: 28 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays, after one years’ service you’ll have the option to buy and sell and additional week. Increased employer pension contributions based on employee ie, if you pay 5%, they pay 7%.

Are you an experienced relationship fundraiser looking for an opportunity to step up as a Senior Philanthropy Executive? Excellent – we’re working with the incredible Prostate Cancer UK as they seek a Senior Philanthropy Executive to join their team in what is a very exciting period for them.

This role will be instrumental in driving high-value income across Philanthropy, responsible for securing five- and six-figure gifts from charitable trusts, foundations, and major donors. You’ll also take the lead on the charity’s high value giving club, ‘The Pioneers’, developing a fresh strategy to grow its membership and deepen supporter engagement.

This is a brilliant opportunity for someone with strong experience in high value fundraising to step into a pivotal role, combining strategic thinking with hands-on relationship management, and contribute to their most ambitious fundraising appeal yet.

To be successful as the Senior Philanthropy Executive, you will need:
 

• Excellent knowledge and experience of working in a Philanthropy or corporate fundraising environment
• A proven track record of securing five-figure gifts from major donors or charitable trusts
• Previous experience managing or significantly contributing to giving clubs or membership schemes

If you would like to have an informal discussion, please give us a call and ask for Jake.

Ashby Jenkins Recruitment is a specialist charity recruitment agency. We use our extensive sector knowledge and experience to match candidates to the most suitable charity jobs.
 

We are passionate about improving equality across the sector — you can read more about our commitment to diversity on our website.

We take a relationship-led approach to recruitment in the charity sector and partner with you as the leading charity recruitment agency.

If enough applications are received, the charity reserves the right to end the application period sooner.

Come and join us and be part of a mission to save lives and end economic abuse forever!

In 2024, a staggering 4.1 million UK women experienced economic abuse at the hands of their current or former partner. The rising cost of living has only exacerbated the devastated impact of this form of domestic abuse. 

Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) is the only UK charity dedicated to raising awareness of economic abuse and transforming responses to it.

Since our founding in 2017, we’ve proudly campaigned successfully for the recognition of economic abuse in UK law and influenced wide-ranging systemic change to transform responses to it. We're now entering an ambitious new phase, and we’re seeking a dynamic, strategic and values-led Head of Income as part of the Senior Leadership Teamto help drive it forward.

This is a critical time for SEA. With a bold three-year strategy now in place, we’re looking for an experienced income-generation leader to oversee and diversify our income streams — across high-net-worth giving, corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, and earned income through consultancy and training. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Income will play a vital role in shaping the future of the organisation and enabling us to scale our impact.

The Head of Income will lead a talented team, including our Senior Fundraising Manager (trusts and foundations) and Corporate Development Manager (strategic multi-stakeholder partnerships), and collaborate closely with our CEO, Trustees and earned income delivery teams (consultancy and training) whilst also being hands on in relationship development. Your approach will be collaborative, survivor-centred and driven by SEA’s values. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates with strong experience in high-value fundraising and/or commercial income generation.

What we’re looking for in the Head of Income

• Proven success in income generation from high-net-worth individuals and/or corporate partners
• Strategic mindset with the ability to lead and grow multi-stream income
• Experience of working in a small, agile organisation and line-managing high-performing teams
• Experience of working at Senior Leadership Team level, or readiness to step into the role
• A confident communicator with strong relationship-building skills
• A commitment to SEA’s feminist ethos, values and mission
•  

What we offer the Head of Income

• 25 days annual leave + 5 wellbeing days + bank holidays
• Home-based and flexible working options
• Reflective practice and wellbeing support
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Enhanced family leave, carers leave, sick pay
• A dynamic, purpose-led team where your impact is tangible

How to apply for the SEA Head of Income

Charlotte Wilmot at Eardley Wilmot is managing this appointment on our behalf and will support you with your application. Please send your CV to her directly in the first instance or here to her via Charityjob. You will then also be asked to complete a short anonymised application form via the Surviving Economic Abuse website. Charlotte will guide you through that step and a link to the form will be provided. 

The deadline for receipt of completed application forms is midnight on 28 July 2025.

SEA is proudly survivor-centred and committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We particularly welcome applications from minoritised and marginalised communities, and we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. We also welcome job share applications as a joint application. 

First nterviews will be held week beginning 4 August 2025 (held online – questions will be shared in advance). 

We really look forward to hearing from you.

The Freedom Fund

The Freedom Fund is a global non-profit dedicated to ending modern slavery. Since 2014, we’ve invested over $100 million into frontline organisations and coalitions, helping to shift power to local actors and create lasting systems change. Our new strategy doubles down on this commitment, investing in anti-slavery movements, fostering collaboration, and working as a trusted partner to the incredible people and organisations driving this work forward. 

Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager - Individual Philanthropy

This is a key role of the Freedom Fund’s partnerships team, responsible for leading and implementing the organisation’s individual fundraising strategy. This is a strategic, high-autonomy role with responsibility for developing and managing a global portfolio of individual donors and prospects, guiding them through all stages of the donor lifecycle - from identification and cultivation to solicitation and stewardship. The SSPM will lead the design and execution of a donor experience strategy to enhance engagement, deepen relationships, and increase long-term support. They will also manage and coordinate the strategic involvement of senior leadership - including the CEO, Managing Director of External Relations, and Head of Strategic Partnerships - in high-level donor engagement.

The SSPM will directly supervise at least one team member supporting both individual and foundation fundraising, and may manage additional staff as the individual giving function grows. They will collaborate closely with colleagues across the organisation - including the Events Manager, Communications team, and Programs teams - to develop compelling donor materials, shape engagement opportunities, and ensure alignment of messaging and strategy.

This role offers an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and values-driven fundraiser to build and lead a critical function within a fast-paced, global organisation working to end modern slavery.

Based in New York and reporting to the Head of Strategic Partnerships, the postholder will work collaboratively with colleagues across the U.S. and U.K. to grow and steward a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals and help shape the broader strategic partnerships strategy.

Interview process: 2 stage interview process: week commencing 9th June 2025 .

Please see the job description for all details.

We will be building our brand, diversifying our income streams and increasing our donors and giving profile. You will manage a small fundraising team and play an important role on our senior management team. You will be experienced in winning large trust and foundation and statutory sector grants, as well as having knowledge around diversifying funds in a not-for-profit context.

Main Responsibilities:

• Building our brand, diversifying income streams, and increasing our donor profile.
• Managing a small fundraising team and playing a key role on our senior management team.
• Developing and delivering fundraising strategies based on our Strategic Plan.
• Overseeing our funding portfolio and supporting the development of individual donors.
• Sourcing and applying for funds to meet strategic priorities.
• Networking with other agencies and stakeholders to promote our work.

About the Role

The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) is proudly independent, receiving no regular public funding. We thrive thanks to the generosity of individuals, trusts and foundations, creative partners, and commercial income.

Following a major £5 million capital renovation, we’ve launched a bold new five-year plan focused on strengthening our infrastructure and deepening our public impact through both contemporary and historical exhibitions.

We’re now ready to reshape our fundraising strategy to support this next chapter, growing income from trusts and foundations, individual giving, corporate partnerships and fundraising campaigns. Our goal is to build a resilient, values-driven model of development that reflects the RWA’s ambition and supports our life-changing engagement work.

Help shape the Future of the RWA

We’re looking for an ambitious, creative, and energetic fundraiser to help take the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) into its next chapter.

Whether you’re an experienced development lead or a brilliant consultant looking for a meaningful partnership, this is an opportunity to make your mark at one of the UK’s most beautiful and historic art galleries. We’ve got big ambitions, and we expect you will too. 

You’ll have the freedom to shape the role around your strengths and experience, working closely with the Director, our part-time Relationship Manager, and a highly engaged Board and Development Committee.  Your work will be a vital part in helping us sustain a vibrant, inclusive, and creative organisation for artists and audiences in Bristol and beyond.

You might enjoy the breadth of the full role, or to specialise in one area working alongside a colleague.  We’re open to finding the work pattern that suits your skills, and life, best. 

What matters most is that you love what the RWA stands for and want to help tell our story.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the development and delivery of a clear, ambitious fundraising strategy
• Growing our income from trusts, foundations, and individuals over a three-year period
• Stewarding our wonderful donors; managing our Commissioning Circle and Patron schemes, and supporting our Friends community
• Developing brilliant fundraising campaigns like our much-loved Secret Postcard Auction
• Leading the growth of initiatives like Art in the Workplace and legacy giving
• Leading on impact reporting and evaluation, ensuring our supporters see the difference they make
• Managing and mentoring the Relationship Manager and any consultants or freelancers
• Reporting to and working with the Director and Trustees to meet agreed targets
• Acting as a public ambassador for the RWA, its values, and its creative mission

Who we’re looking for

We’re after someone who brings:

• A proven track record in trust and foundation fundraising
• Significant success in major donor giving
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills
• Confidence and creativity in developing new approaches and partnerships
• Experience leading fundraising strategies and managing income streams
• An understanding of what makes donors feel valued and engaged
• The ability to think big and work flexibly — rolling up your sleeves when needed
• A love for Bristol, the arts, and the RWA’s unique place in the cultural landscape
• Experience with campaign delivery, and team management is helpful, but if you don’t tick every box, we still want to hear from you.

What we offer

• A flexible working culture; hybrid working, part-time or consultancy-based approaches welcomed
• 28 days holiday pro rata, plus public holidays
• A stunning, central Bristol workplace and a creative, passionate community
• Support from a committed team and engaged Board of Trustees
• Free Employee Assistance Programme scheme
• The chance to build a role, and a legacy, that’s truly your own

How to apply

Please send a CV and cover letter (no more than 2 pages) 

We’d love to hear from people from all backgrounds, especially those who feel underrepresented in the arts and heritage sector. If we can make the application process more accessible for you, please let us know.

Deadline to apply: 5:00 pm, Sunday 10 August 2025 

Job Title: Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships

Location: Hybrid (UK office Cranfield preferred and/or Folkstone, Kent), with UK-wide travel and occasional overseas travel

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £65,000-£70,000

Make a Meaningful Impact

Role Overview: Are you a values-driven leader who thrives on building relationships that leads to lasting, transformative impact? Do you want to transform the lives of isolated people living in some of the world’s most remote places?

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) is a not-for-profit Christian organisation that uses aviation and technology to bring help, hope and healing to some of the world’s most isolated communities. Operating a fleet of 120 plus light aircraft across more than 25 countries, we are driven by our Christian faith to serve communities cut off by mountains, jungles, swamps and deserts to deliver critical support like medical care, education, disaster relief, Bible and spiritual support, where it’s needed most. 

We are now looking for a Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships to lead our ambitious income growth strategy, championing our mission to high net-worth individuals, trusts, and strategic partners who want to see their generosity truly change lives.

What You’ll be doing

Strategic Leadership:

• Design, drive and deliver MAF’s Philanthropy and Partnerships strategy to significantly grow income and deepen engagement
• Identify opportunities for innovation in donor acquisition, engagement, and retention 
• Contribute to organisational strategy as part of the Senior Leadership Team 
• Support the CEO, Trustees and other senior stakeholders in leveraging their networks and relationships 
• Match donor passions with compelling giving propositions—from medical flights to capital appeals 

Team Leadership:

• Lead, develop and support a dedicated team of fundraisers and administrators 
• Foster a high-performance culture grounded in collaboration, ownership, and Christian mission 
• Build a team known for excellence in donor stewardship and partnership development 

Cross-Organisational Collaboration:

• Work closely with Marketing, Programmes, and International Teams to build powerful cases for support and share donor impact 
• Represent Philanthropy and Partnerships at Board level, offering insight, reporting, and influence 

Donor Management:

• Personally manage and grow a portfolio of significant donor relationships (major gifts of £25,000 to £1 million+) 

· Develop strategies to increase fundraising support for people related activities, including our need to drive overseas recruitment and take overall accountability for the staff income budget”.

• Ensure your team delivers an excellent donor experience—tailored, proactive, and relational at every stage of the journey 

Who We’re looking for:

We know that diverse teams make smarter decisions, foster innovation, and better reflect the communities we serve. We warmly welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, especially those who are underrepresented in the charity and international development sectors.

You’ll Bring:

• A track record of success securing major gifts (six and seven figures) from high net-worth individuals, and ideally from trusts and where appropriate institutional donors 
• Significant team leadership experience, with a strong track record of motivating staff, delivering results, and building capability 
• A strategic mindset, able to build and implement long-term growth plans and donor journeys 
• Exceptional networking, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the gravitas to influence and build lasting partnerships 
• Strong financial understanding, budgeting skills, and up-to-date knowledge of fundraising regulation and GDPR 
• A deep passion for international development and Christian mission
• An understanding of how to frame technical, spiritual, and humanitarian work in ways that resonate with different audiences

• A self-starter who is not afraid to challenge the status quo 
• A team player who leverages individuals’ strengths to complete objectives 

Our Values & Christian Commitment

MAF is a Christian organisation and this role requires commitment to our vision, mission, and values. The role holder will need to be a committed and mature evangelical Christian, able to participate fully in the spiritual life of the organisation, including prayer meetings, and be comfortable representing MAF as a faith-based charity.

We recognise and respect the diversity of Christian traditions and expressions of faith. We encourage applications from all individuals who can demonstrate an understanding of, and support for, our Christian ethos.

Why Join MAF?

• A flexible and supportive working culture
• A generous non-contributory pension scheme (10% of salary)
• 22 days annual leave plus office closure at Christmas and bank holidays
• An opportunity to be part of an inspiring, global mission

Practical Details

• Location: MAF UK, 1st Floor Castle House, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2TN or unit 41 Cranfield Innovation Centre, Wharley End, Bedford MK43 0BT
• Working Hours: Full-time, 36+ hours per week (flexible)
• Probation: 6 months (with 3-month review)
• Notice Period: 3 months

How to Apply

We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and welcoming to all. If you need any adjustments or support during the process, please let us know. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, heard, and able to thrive.