Trust and grants fundraiser jobs in Manchester

Role Overview
The Talent Set are delighted to partner with CleanupUK on a fantastic Trusts and Philanthropy Fundraising Lead role. This is a key member of the income generation team, responsible for securing funding from trusts, foundation, Lottery and other non-corporate grant-making sources to support their work in deprived communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Implementing existing and future annual workplans, complemented with your own input into maximising CleanupUK’s revenue from trusts, foundations, The Lottery and other appropriate sources
• Raising the non-corporate annual budgeted fundraising revenue
• Managing the part-time freelance Local/Regional Trust and Foundations Fundraiser to help them maximise their revenue
• Managing the part-time freelance National Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser to help them maximise their revenue
• In conjunction with the Chief Executive, nurture the key existing funder relationships
• To develop strong and close relationships with new key trust and foundation funders
• To optimise the relationships to ensure good communication between CleanupUK teams on fundraising matters
• The role will involve both hands-on fundraising and also significant involvement in planning CleanupUK’s future strategy
• Contribute to the exploration of appropriate new revenue streams for CleanupUK

Person Specification

• Experience in trusts and philanthropy fundraising, ideally within the charity sector.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft creative and compelling proposals from diverse programme areas.
• Strong relationship-building and networking abilities.
• Proven track record of securing 5 and 6 figure gifts from trusts, donations, lottery, statutory or major donor fundraising
• Organised and detail-oriented, capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Self-motivated with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities.

What’s on Offer
Salary: £42,000 - £45,000 (depending on experience)
Location: Remote, with travel for occasional internal meetings and to meet funders

How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.

Commitment to Diversity
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

Trusts and Foundations Manager
Permanent | Full time
Ideally 1 or 2 days a week in either in Coventry or Middlesbrough
circa £38,000 - £45.000 per annum

Are you an experienced trusts & foundations fundraiser looking to join a much loved charity which supports babies and young children who have life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

Aquilas is delighted to be supporting Zoe’s Place in the appointment of a new Trusts and Foundations Manager, a key role at an exciting time of growth for the charity.

About the charity

Zoe’s Place is the only baby specific hospice charity in the UK, providing specialist palliative, respite and end of life care for children aged 0 to 5 with life limiting and life-threatening conditions. They offer a safe, nurturing and joyful environment where families can feel completely supported. With their dedicated nurses delivering 24-hour care, they work together to make every moment of childhood count.

About the role:

Supporting the delivery of Zoe’s Place overall income generation strategy, by researching, record keeping, applying and reporting to a portfolio of trusts and foundations to deliver long term sustainable income growth for the Trust. Overall accountability for capital projects across the Trust

Key Responsibilities:

Account manage the trust and foundations fundraising function   

• Contribute to the maintenance of a comprehensive database for both hospice sites of all relevant grant making trusts and keep up to date with changes in the sector.
• Develop and write applications and bids to a wide range of funders as required.
• Work collaboratively with the Head of Fundraising and fundraising colleagues to ensure all funding opportunities are maximised
• Manage and develop relationships with new and existing funding partners.
• Work collaboratively with Director of Clinical Services, clinical teams and finance to prepare bids and reports.
• Ensure funding partners receive timely and appropriate information about the progress and outcomes of projects including written reports and evaluation in accordance with requirement.
• Responsible for delivery of income targets.
• Ensure excellent relationships are maintained with current, past and prospective funders so the Zoes Place Trust name is associated with honesty and high standards of service delivery.
• Organise visits and tours for trustees of charitable foundations if requested to both Middlesbrough and Coventry sites.

 Administration and pipeline

• Use our fundraising CRM and in line with GDPR to ensure accurate and timely record keeping allowing for good stewardship.
• Carry out detailed research on prospective foundations, identify and maintain a calendar for submitting applications.
• Working with an income pipeline / tracker to ensure accurate and timely financial forecasting, identifying risk to income and mitigating accordingly.
• Ensure activities comply with current law, guidance and best practice of the Fundraising Regulator

Person Specication:

• strong track record in Trusts and Foundations fundraising
• Experience of working in the charity Sector
• Excellent and persuasive writing skills and a sharp eye for details
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills

To Apply:

To receive a candidate pack or arrange a confidential conversation, please contact:

Kieran McGorrian, Head of Not for Profit Appointments, Aquilas (contact details in candidate pack)

Applications close 5pm Monday 20th April

Aquilas are wholly committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and we warmly welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates.  We are truly invested in our candidates and being supportive and informative throughout the application journey

If this sounds like you, then our four-month (7th September to 18th December 2026), salaried Grant Fundraising Traineeship might be the perfect opportunity for you.

Chell Perkins is looking for four individuals with excellent writing skills who want to learn how to fundraise from grantmakers. 

Our industry-leading paid traineeship (monthly equivalent of a £24,792 annual salary) will see you writing grant applications for multiple charities and gaining a recognised certificate with education credits towards CFRE to kickstart your fundraising career. There are up to four vacancies at Chell Perkins, and at the end of the course trainees will be eligible to apply for a permanent position.

“This programme has been an amazing opportunity to work with so many different clients, and constantly learn new skills on the job. I have learned so much.” Junior Fundraiser, 2022

This immersive programme is home-based with quality training and plenty of support from other experienced fundraisers.

“The hands-on training opportunities that come with a role at Chell Perkins are invaluable for anyone who is looking to get into fundraising. I don't think you could find a more immersive and rewarding experience in the charity sector anywhere else!” Junior Fundraiser, 2022

Why Chell Perkins?

At the end of our Grant Fundraising Traineeship, you will be a confident and capable fundraiser. But there’s much more to the scheme than that. The Chell Perkins team are a great bunch of people to work with. We really care about our partner charities and YOUR future. Our supportive and empowering work culture will enable you to realise your own potential.

“This programme is truly unique and rewarding. I recommend it to anyone thinking of beginning a fundraising career.” Junior Fundraiser, 2020

Client mix

Candidates should be aware that at present, 70% of our partner charities come from a Christian background (churches or Christian charities). While it is not a requirement to be Christian, candidates must be happy to write for a faith-based audience.

Applications

This role is home-based; however, you may occasionally be required to work from client sites across the UK.

For more details about this opportunity, contact us and request a copy of the Job Description & Person Specification document.

Interviews will be held in the week commencing 4th May 2026 for positions starting on 7th September 2026.

If our Grant Fundraising Traineeship sounds like it could be a perfect fit for you, why not apply? We look forward to hearing from you!

To apply for this role, please complete our job application and email it to us with a recent CV and a covering letter. In your covering letter, we are looking for:

• Evidence of strong written communication skills
• Passion for the third sector, and in particular fundraising
• Ability to write persuasively
• Evidence that you have carefully researched the role and our organisation.

Click 'how to apply' below for the email address to send your application to, and for more information on the role and person specification.

A note about generative AI use

As an agency we are not against the use of AI to research or help improve the quality of your application. However, we strongly advise against using AI to generate copy for you. Last year, over 40 applications contained sections with identical wording, due to the use of generative AI. As a result, we could not get to know the applicants from their writing, and subsequently had to reject all of these applications.

Reporting to: Major Giving Lead - Trusts and Foundations
Location of Work: Remote, with some requirements to travel to our London office
Contract Type: Full-time, 35 hours per week, although 28 hours per week or compressed hours may be considered. The role may require occasional evening and weekend work.
Contract Length: Permanent    
Salary: £37,500

BACKGROUND    

Magic Breakfast’s mission is to end child morning hunger in the UK now and for good. The latest research suggests that 2.7 million children are at risk of hunger, meaning one in five children don’t have enough to eat. When a child is too hungry to learn, they struggle to concentrate, absorb information, and manage their emotions, causing them to fall behind in their studies. 

Magic Breakfast provides a nutritious breakfast to over 350,000 children and young people every school day. We work with schools in areas of high disadvantage, helping staff target children most in need without barrier or stigma.

We work with schools in areas of high disadvantage, helping staff target the children most in need without barrier or stigma. We are now at an exciting point in our journey as we launch Nourishing Futures, our long-term strategy, which capitalises on market changes and government commitments to scale our work, while redefining breakfast spaces not just as places to eat, but as places to thrive. 

JOB PURPOSE

The Major Giving Manager – Trusts and Foundations will sit within the newly formed Major Giving team, playing a pivotal role in driving new business and helping to deliver £3.36m of income across major giving in the financial year 2025/26.

Reporting to the Major Giving Lead – Trusts & Foundations, this role will lead on new business development within the trusts and foundations portfolio, with a strong focus on identifying, cultivating, and securing support from new funders. The postholder will be expected to proactively generate and pursue opportunities, using creativity, insight, and strong relationship-building skills to grow a robust pipeline of high-value prospects.

This role will involve actively networking, attending events, initiating and developing relationships with prospective funders, and creating compelling, tailored proposals to secure significant new income. Alongside this primary focus on new business, the postholder will also contribute to the stewardship and growth of existing funders to maximise long-term value and impact.

Working collaboratively across the wider Major Giving team, the role will support cross-portfolio opportunities and integrated cultivation strategies, and where appropriate, flex to support engagement with individual donors. The postholder will also work closely with the Business Development Lead in Scotland to ensure a coordinated and strategic approach to prospecting, relationship management, and pipeline development.

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated and entrepreneurial fundraiser, with excellent writing and interpersonal skills, who thrives on building new relationships and securing income. They will join a dynamic and passionate team working to end child morning hunger and unlock opportunities for the next generation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES New Business

• Lead the development and delivery of new business across the trusts and foundations portfolio, driving a significant contribution to the Major Giving target of £3.36m in 2025/26 and building a strong pipeline for future years.

• Proactively identify, research and pursue high-value funding opportunities, using insight, creativity, and sector knowledge to generate a strong and diverse prospect pipeline, and working collaboratively with the Major Giving team to share intelligence and avoid duplication.

• Take ownership of cultivating new prospects, initiating and developing relationships through networking, events, and direct engagement, and confidently progressing opportunities from early-stage prospecting through to secured income.

• Prepare, develop and submit compelling, high-quality proposals and budgets tailored to funder priorities, with a strong focus on securing larger, multi-year and strategic funding opportunities (£50,000+).

• Design and implement proactive and strategic cultivation pathways for new funders, including multi-touch engagement plans and partnership approaches with colleagues to strengthen relationships and maximise conversion.

• Work cross-organisationally to identify, shape and develop fundable projects, proactively aligning organisational priorities with funder interests to unlock new income opportunities.

• Contribute to the development of compelling cases for support and propositions, using insights from the trusts and foundations landscape to inform and strengthen wider major giving and philanthropic strategies.

• Work closely with the Business Development Lead in Scotland to proactively coordinate and drive approaches to trusts and foundations based in Scotland, aligning on prospecting, relationship development, proposal activity and pipeline growth.

• Act as a key driver of new business momentum across the wider Major Giving team, flexing to support pipeline development, cultivation and conversion activity across portfolios, including with individual major donors where required.

Account management

• Successfully manage relationships within your own portfolio of trusts and foundations, ensuring timely reporting and effective communication.

• Champion the interests of major giving and trusts and foundations across the organisation, ensuring grant conditions are met and project outcomes are achieved.

• Support the team to deliver strategic, multi-year partnerships and steward key funders.

• Adopt a relationship management approach that integrates with the wider Major Giving team’s stewardship framework – creating holistic experiences for funders who support across multiple income streams.

• Flex to provide stewardship support across major giving, where necessary working to develop relationships and high quality stewardship with individual donors and family foundations.

• Collaborate with the Business Development Lead in Scotland to ensure consistent and high-quality stewardship for Scottish-based funders, sharing insight and best practice.

Cross-Team Collaboration

• Support our department approach to ‘one-team’ by acting as a bridge between Trusts, Corporate and Major Donor functions, ensuring shared insight, coordination of funder approaches, and alignment of messaging and impact reporting.

• Work with Philanthropy and Corporate Partnerships colleagues to identify overlapping funder networks and co-create engagement opportunities (e.g., joint briefings, events, or site visits).

• Collaborate proactively with the Business Development Lead in Scotland to ensure that opportunities, reporting, and engagement in Scotland align with national fundraising priorities.

• Contribute to the Major Giving team’s collective cultivation and stewardship calendar, ensuring trust and foundation supporters are part of key strategic engagement moments.

Management and Leadership

• Support the development of junior members within the Major Giving team (e.g., Major Giving Administrator), providing guidance and feedback to maintain a high standard of proposals and stewardship materials.

• Work with the Major Giving Leads and the Head of Major Giving to support the forecasting of income from current and potential donors.

• Deputise for the Major Giving Lead – Trust and Foundations where necessary.

• Work closely with the finance team to ensure accurate restrictions, financial reporting processes, and project budget management.

• Take an active role in helping to set, deliver, and evaluate progress against the Major Giving team strategy and goals, especially those relating to Trusts & Foundations.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate financial, performance and account management records via Salesforce.

• Represent the organisation at relevant forums, events and seminars.

• Help ensure continuous improvement of team processes and ways of working.

• Ensure all activity is compliant with fundraising legislation, GDPR, and child safeguarding requirements.

• Support the wider fundraising department with cross-team initiatives, joint donor communications and shared learning.

• Occasional work outside of regular office hours and travel within the UK.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Knowledge and Experience

• Proven experience of securing significant new funding from trusts and foundations (ideally £50,000+), with a strong track record in new business development, or relevant transferable experience.

• Demonstrable success in identifying, cultivating and converting new prospects into long-term funding relationships.

• Experience of building and managing a robust prospect pipeline, from initial research through to secured income.

• Experience of working with databases (Salesforce experience desirable) to support pipeline development, tracking and income generation.

• Strong track record of developing and initiating relationships with new funders, including through networking and external engagement.

• Understanding of how trusts and foundations fundraising contributes to wider major giving strategy, particularly in generating new income and supporting cross-team opportunities.

• Experience of working with regionally based colleagues or external partners to coordinate proactive fundraising activity desirable.

Skills and Abilities

•  Exceptional writing, research and storytelling skills, with the ability to develop compelling, tailored proposals that secure new funding.

• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, with confidence to initiate contact, represent the organisation externally, and develop new partnerships.

• Proactive, entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to spot opportunities, generate leads, and drive them forward independently.

• Excellent time management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage a dynamic pipeline and balance multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills, including the ability to engage and inspire prospective funders in meetings and events.

• A collaborative team player with the confidence to work independently while contributing to shared new business goals.

• Ability to communicate data and impact effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

• High level of competency in Microsoft Office and CRM software.

• Proactive approach to internal collaboration, identifying opportunities to align funder interests with organisational priorities to unlock new income.

Other

• Passion and commitment to Magic Breakfast’s mission to end child morning hunger in the UK.

• Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

• Willingness to travel within the UK to attend events, meetings and networking opportunities as part of new business development.

• Experience of working for a charity, particularly in children and young people’s sectors, desirable but not essential.

WHAT WE OFFER

At Magic Breakfast we value our employees and work hard to develop offer a supportive, respectful culture which enables everyone to thrive. Please visit our website for more information in our recruitment pack. 

APPLICATION PROCCESS

Should you wish to discuss the role before applying please email our People and Culture Team, hr @magicbreakfast. com

Shortlisting: w/c 20th April
Interview 1: w/c 27th April
Interview 2: w/c 4th May

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

We are looking for a part time Fundraising & Development Lead to join a small, ambitious global charity and play a critical role in securing funding from Trusts and Foundations to deliver innovative development initiatives.

The ideal candidate would bring senior-level fundraising experience from a similar role at an NGO, organisation, or charity with an established network of executive relationships in major foundations.

This is a remote working role.

The charity
An ambitious, fast paced and passionate global development charity, dedicated to to collaborating world wide to make a lasting social impact. A small charity having a big impact, with an innovative start up culture with staff in the UK and Europe . This role will report into the Director and work closely with another part time highly experienced trusts and foundations fundraiser.

The Role
This is a new business focused role, where you will be required to build a high value pipeline of suitable donors and develop and deliver compelling high value bids for support.

Applications & Fundraising Development
Lead the development of high-quality grant proposals, ensuring proposals are compelling, well-written, and tailored to meet the requirements and priorities of each donor.

Relationship Management
Oversee the complete grant lifecycle, from initial lead to application to reporting and closeout.
Build and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors, program officers, and other key stakeholders.

Events and Networking and Representation
Effectively convey the charity mission, vision, and programs to potential donors, organising fundraising events while overseeing teams of volunteers and probono partners.

The Candidate
Senior-level fundraising experience from a similar role at an NGO, organisation, or charity.

Extensive existing network of senior executives with major global foundations and organisations.

Proven track record of identifying and closing deals for 6 - 7 figure gifts.

IMPORTANT NOTE

This charity is reviewing applications on a rolling basis so please get in touch ASAP to find out more. Please note the post must be based in the UK.

Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you haven't been contacted within 5 days your application has been unsuccessful, but we positively encourage you to apply for any other positions that you may see in the future.

We apologise that we cannot contact everybody in person but thank you in advance for your interest.

Third Solutions encourages applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Third Solutions acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003.

Are you an outstanding leader, fundraiser and a natural networker? Do you want to help local communities to take practical action to make a difference to UK seas and shores? 

Sea-Changers is looking for a motivated leader to make a step change at a key point in the organisation’s journey. Sea-Changers’ vision is a future where the UK’s seas and shores are clean and healthy and marine species and habitats are protected. Our grants seek to support communities of Sea-Changers – people who care about the seas and want to take practical action to make a difference. Through our grants we enable diverse, grassroots and community-led marine conservation across the UK.

Doubling our income to over £300,000 in 2025 has catalysed Sea-Changers to move from a volunteer-led charity to a sustainable organisation with a dedicated staff team. To enable this, we are seeking to appoint our first Executive Director. This new role will work alongside the Co-Founders and our Board of Trustees and lead the transition from a volunteer-led operation to a staff-led organisation.

As a driven individual, you will build on our success — strengthen partnerships, expand our impact, and help more communities to protect the ocean. Supported by a strong group of volunteers and an impressive Board, the Executive Director will be comfortable working at both a strategic and operation level, and ‘hands on’. By the end of 2027 it is our expectation you will take full responsibility for the strategic leadership and overall operational delivery of Sea-Changers.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for the right individual. It is a chance to build on our success to date, to forge new partnerships with our funders, to motivate and inspire our inspiring volunteer team and to engage with our wide community of applicants. Through Sea-Changers, the Executive Director has the rare chance to deliver a lasting legacy for UK marine conservation.

Strategic leadership, increasing organisational income and managing a motivated team of volunteers are essential aspects to the role. A passion for the marine environment is key, as is a working understanding of UK marine policy. We want someone who passionately advocates for Sea-Changers, who can communicate confidently and credibly at all levels. You will champion our oceans and galvanise others. 

Harris Hill are delighted to be partnering with a great charity to recruit the Business Development Manager to help drive forward the charity mission at a crucial time, as they adapt to a changing funding landscape and build sustainable income for the future.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will play a key leadership role within the organisation. You’ll be responsible for developing and delivering income generation strategies, building strong partnerships, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

This is a hands on and varied role where you will:

• Lead and grow diverse income streams including grants, corporate partnerships, and community fundraising
• Develop compelling funding proposals and manage a strong pipeline of opportunities
• Build and maintain relationships with funders, donors, and stakeholders
• Oversee flagship fundraising events and support third-party fundraisers
• Line manage charity shop managers and nurture a network of volunteers
• Contribute to strategic planning and organisational development
• Represent the charity externally with confidence and professionalism

About You

We are looking for a proactive, organised and motivated individual who can think strategically while delivering practical results.

You will bring:

• Proven experience in fundraising, business development, or a similar role
• Strong track record in securing funding (grants, trusts, corporate, or individual giving)
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Experience managing events, campaigns, and stakeholder relationships
• Confidence in presenting, networking, and representing an organisation
• Strong organisational and analytical skills
• Experience managing staff or volunteers
• A collaborative, resilient, and adaptable approach

Experience within the charity sector and knowledge of fundraising regulations is desirable.

Full job description available upon request.

Salary: £35,229- £40,885 per annum, pro rata 

Contract Type: permanent, part-time, Flexible (maximum 30 hours per week)

Location: Stockport

Application: Cv and Supporting statement to

Deadline: On rolling basis

If you’re interested and would like to review a full job description, please contact Hannah.

Harris Hill Charities Recruitment Specialists operates an equal opportunity policy and commits to treating all of our candidates and jobseekers fairly. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Fundraising Officer 

Salary:  £29,409 - £31,656 

plus £312 p.a working from home allowance (see below for more details on remuneration)

Contract : Full time, permanent, remote first, home-based. 

About Voice 21 

Voice 21 is the national oracy education charity. We exist to empower every child to use their voice for success in school and life. Our work transforms learning and life chances through talk by increasing access to a high-quality oracy education for those that need it most. Follow the links to find out more about why oracy is so vital and the impact Voice 21 has. 

Why work for Voice 21?

Tackle a vital challenge, with great people. Voice 21 exists to transform children' s learning and life chances through talk and we are aiming to be working with 1,800 schools a year by 2030. To reach this goal we recruit great people and give them real responsibility, training and support. 

Output focused culture, with flexible working opportunities. We have an agile and flexible approach, our team can work when and wherever works best to deliver the requirements of their role. As our staff predominantly work from home, we support them to create a workspace and provide technology that enables them to work effectively. 

Real development opportunities. We believe in supporting people to develop the skills they need to be excellent whether this means funding external training, finding a mentor to support them or giving them the time to learn from others in the organisations through our regular CPD sessions. 

Great benefits. 36 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays and a 3 day Christmas closure period). Holiday entitlement increases linked to length of service, 5% employer contribution to pension, interest-free season ticket, cycle and technology loans, employee assistance scheme. 

Remuneration. Our pay is a band and spine point approach where there is up to 7 years progression automatically available (depending on starting point) 

Purpose of the Role: 

Fundraising plays an important role in the sustainability of Voice 21 and our ambitious new strategy aims to double our voluntary income to £2M by 2030. This new post of Fundraising Officer has been created to support the Head of Fundraising and wider leadership team with operations across high value fundraising streams – grant-making trusts and foundations, philanthropy and corporate partnerships. 

You will be responsible for researching potential funders, maintaining accurate records of fundraising contacts and activities, helping to build and maintain relationships with current and prospective funders, producing compelling reports for our funders and engaging communications for fundraising audiences, and creating and project managing inspiring engagement opportunities, including events, for current and prospective supporters.

The successful candidate will ideally have previous experience working in a fundraising team – or else bring compelling transferable skills from a comparable, external-facing role. You will need to demonstrate that you can build and maintain great relationships with people at all levels, both internally with colleagues across the organisation, and with external high value stakeholders. Competent organisational skills are a must, with the ability to anticipate needs and exceed expectations. You will obviously need excellent communication skills too, including being able to write well and edit wisely (without depending on AI!) 

This varied role will offer plenty of opportunities to develop new skills and build your high value fundraising experience. It would suit an ambitious, motivated fundraiser who is driven by Voice 21’s mission and is looking to develop their career in the sector.

Key Responsibility of the Role: 

• Researching grant-making trust and foundations, maintaining a prospect pipeline, and developing and submitting funding applications.

• Managing reporting cycles and producing reports for funders.

• Maintaining the fundraising database (Salesforce), ensuring departmental data is accurate and up to date. 

• Organising engagement opportunities, including events, for prospects and/or funders, with oversight from the Head of Fundraising.

• Building and maintaining strong, sustainable relationships with fundraising contacts, ensuring excellent engagement and stewardship. 

• Supporting the Corporate Partnerships Lead as needed with corporate fundraising activities.

• Providing operational support to the Head of Fundraising and Senior Leadership Team, ensuring where appropriate that senior colleagues are fully briefed and prepared.

• Working collaboratively across the organisation to raise the profile of fundraising and to maximise opportunities.

• Other administrative tasks as required to support the fundraising team.
   

This job will require that you have: 

Essential: 

• Good understanding of the fundamentals of high value fundraising, with some previous experience working in a fundraising team to raise income to a target. 

• Experience of researching potential funders/donors and of successfully identifying great leads/prospects.

• Excellent written communication skills, with ability to translate complex information into simple and compelling narratives appropriate for the intended audience.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain productive relationships at all levels. 

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, iterative culture, working across lots of different projects/activities. 

• Self-motivated, comfortable working autonomously, and able to take ownership of own performance.

Desirable: 

• Experience of using Salesforce (or another CRM system) to manage contacts and pipelines, track performance, and report on outcomes.

• Knowledge of fundraising legislation, ethics, compliance, and data protection requirements.

Who you’ll work with: Your line manager will be the Head of Fundraising and you will work alongside a Corporate Partnership Lead. The fundraising team of 3 sits in the Operations Directorate.

Where you’ll work: All Voice 21 staff work remotely and this is a home-based role, with some travel expected to our London office (by Victoria station) and elsewhere for meetings. Occasional overnight stays may be required depending on where you are based. Voice 21 pays all travel and accommodation expenses. 

Contract: Permanent, subject to successful probation review after six months.

Application details 

To apply:

Please submit your most recent CV and covering letter, considering the suggestion below:

Applicants are advised to carefully consider the job description before applying, tailoring your CV and cover letter to demonstrate clearly how you match the specification for this role and giving concrete examples of the impact you have had in your current role. Applicants who do not demonstrate their capability and competency in the key areas of responsibility are unlikely to progress to interview.

Closing date:  8th May 2026 however we reserve the right to close applications before the stated closing date if a sufficient number of suitable applications is received

Interview dates: TBC 

Valuing every voice

Voice 21 believes that every voice should be heard and valued. We are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. 

Voice 21 is a diverse and inclusive workplace and we strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. By offering a salary range, we demonstrate our commitment to considering a wide range of applicants who may bring different perspectives and levels of experience.

Head of Principal Gifts
Employer: University of Manchester
Salary: £59,966 to £71,566, depending on experience with scope to go beyond for an exceptional candidate
Location: Hybrid working, Manchester

We are looking for our new Head of Principal Gifts to work with our highest level of donors, securing principal gifts in support of the University of Manchester's key priorities - gifts that are truly transformational and enable us to tackle some of the world's greatest challenges.

We're taking our big gift fundraising to the next level with the launch of a dedicated Principal Gifts programme, and we're looking for someone to play a key role in shaping that transformation, building deep, lasting relationships with top-level donors in the UK and internationally.

With our inspirational new strategy in place and our first-ever university-wide philanthropic campaign, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED, launched in November 2025, this is a pivotal moment for Manchester and for your career.

Reporting to the Deputy Director, Principal Gifts, you'll be joining a brilliant, values-driven team with a fantastic pipeline of prospects, strong existing relationships, and academics who are fully engaged in what we're building together.

Great things happen at The University of Manchester every day - from finding new treatments for cancer and discovering wonder materials like Nobel Prize-winning graphene, to providing life-changing scholarships and influencing government policy to help the world's poorest people. This is the work your fundraising will make possible.

If you're a major gifts or big gift fundraiser ready to make your mark at a world-renowned institution and take that next career-defining step, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 20 April 2026

Interested?

Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.

The University of Manchester is partnering with Constellate Global Talent on this search. No agencies please.