Trust fundraiser jobs in Milton keynes, england

Calibre Audio is a national charity providing accessible audiobooks to people who are unable to read print due to visual impairment, dyslexia, or other conditions. Through a digital-first service and a diverse library, we enable people to experience the joy and lifelong benefits of reading.

Everyone has the legal right to equal access to information, yet only 7% of print books are converted to audio, the format needed for many disabled people. For young people, this has serious implications for their ability to learn and develop, and for the elderly, socially isolated, or disadvantaged, coming to terms with the loss of their sight, health and mobility, losing a lifelong love of the written word can be a real blow.

Calibre Audio’s vision is an inclusive society where everyone with a print disability can enjoy accessible books. The charity distribute 1,500 books daily to children and adults whose lives are transformed by access to literature. They work with all major publishers and record many of their own titles, including books unavailable elsewhere in audio. Calibre Audio are now broadening their mission to deliver wider social impact: improving literacy and education outcomes, supporting wellbeing, and tackling loneliness.

This is a pivotal role responsible for leading and growing income from trusts and foundations. Reporting to the Director of Fundraising & Communications, the postholder will develop and deliver a strategic trusts fundraising programme, securing five- and six-figure grants, building long-term partnerships, and contributing significantly to organisational sustainability and growth.

As Senior Trusts Fundraiser, you will: 

• Develop and implement a multi-year trusts and foundations strategy aligned with organisational priorities
• Identify and cultivate new funding opportunities, with a focus on high-value and multi-year grants
• Build a robust pipeline of prospective funders
• Develop compelling, high-quality funding proposals and reports
• Secure significant income from a portfolio of trusts and foundations
• Manage and grow relationships with key funders, ensuring excellent stewardship
• Work closely with colleagues across services and senior leadership to gather impact data and shape funding cases
• Act as a key ambassador for Calibre Audio with external stakeholders

Essential skills and experience: 

• Proven track record of securing five-figure+ income from trusts and foundations
• Excellent written skills, with the ability to craft persuasive, tailored proposals
• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate organisational need into compelling cases for support
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines

Desirable:

• Experience securing six-figure or multi-year grants
• Knowledge of the charity, disability, literacy, or arts sectors
• Advanced CRM skills (preferably Beacon CRM) and pipeline management

Employee benefits include: 

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with an additional day at Christmas
• 7.5% employer pension contribution

Location: London (Hybrid. One day per week if commutable. One day per month for remote candidates.)
Salary: £38,000 to £42,000 DOE
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Employment Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 13 April 2026

Help secure transformational funding at a nationally respected charity
We are looking for a Senior Trusts Fundraiser who can inspire major funders and help unlock significant income. The Trusts team has grown strongly over the past two years and the area continues to be resilient. This vacancy has been open since Christmas and offers an exciting opportunity to join a team with strong leadership, a supportive culture and a wide portfolio of impactful projects.

You will work on substantial bids at the two hundred thousand pound level and above. The role involves navigating the breadth and complexity of a large national organisation. It also offers the chance to develop compelling cases for support, fuelled by recently funded capital improvements and innovative services such as online bereavement counselling. There is a wide range of fundraising opportunities and no shortage of inspiring work to present to funders.

This role is ideal for someone who is ready to take the next step and has the confidence and capability to work at the scale expected by major national charities.

About the role

• Build and steward relationships with significant trust, foundation and statutory funders.
• Lead on high value applications for five and six figure gifts, including bids worth two hundred thousand pounds or more.
• Produce persuasive, tailored proposals and budgets for major funders.
• Manage a forward looking pipeline and meet agreed income targets.
• Plan and deliver cultivation activity including meetings and service visits.
• Record and track activity using a fundraising CRM.
• Work collaboratively across teams throughout a complex national organisation.

About you

• Significant experience securing income from trusts and foundations at a high level.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to produce compelling proposals.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and external partners.
• Ability to manage your own workload and take initiative in cultivating supporters.
• Strong relationship building skills and a collaborative approach.
• Willingness to travel nationally with occasional evening and weekend commitments.

Our values
You will bring supportive, connected and impactful behaviours to your work. You will listen with care, collaborate with colleagues and help deliver meaningful change for the people the organisation exists to support.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

We are looking for a Senior Trusts Fundraiser to develop and maintain relationships with trusts, foundations and statutory funders through updates and other bespoke communications in order to maximise income.

This is a hybrid role with 1 day a week in the London office, and local and national travel when needed. If based outside of London, home working may be considered with once a month in the London office.

The Charity
A long standing well known hospice, dedicated to supporting people through the most difficult times of their lives.
You would be be joining a highly respected organisation, with an inclusive working culture, offering fantastic benefits including:
Company pension scheme
27 days holiday - rising to 33 with length of service plus bank holidays
Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
Enhanced sick pay
Employee Networks - LGBTQ+, Ethnic Diversity and Equality, People with Disabilities, and Women and Non Binary Individuals
Staff discount of 10% on new goods online 
Structured induction programme and learning and development opportunities.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Trusts, in a lovely team of three. You will play a lead role and help the team raise their income target of c£1.7m income from a range of Trusts and Foundations.

This role will develop and maintain relationships with trusts, foundations and statutory funders through updates and other bespoke communications in order to maximise income.

You will develop compelling funding applications aimed at grants above £30k to secure five- and six-figure gifts in support of the charites vision and mission.

Monitor and report progress towards income targets and other agreed KPIs.

The Candidate

• You will need a strong track record of securing five and ideally six figure gifts, including warming up cold Trust relationships to secure income.
• Experience of maintaining relationships with funders and designing and implementing tailored donor care and stewardship plans.
• Experience of researching new prospects and of developing pipelines of activity.
• Experience of producing budgets suitable for five- and six- figure funding requests.
• Experience of cultivating prospects, initiating conversations and planning and hosting service visits with donors.
• Experience of working with Senior Managers/Directors and committee members.
• A collaborative team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you havent 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.