Trusts and grants fundraising manager jobs

Do you like to make things happen and have a passion for nature and a talent for turning ideas into reality? Join the Chiltern Society as our new Project Development Manager and play a vital role in protecting one of England’s most cherished landscapes. We’re looking for an exceptional team player to help create and secure funding for impactful, high-value projects that protect and enhance one of the UK’s most cherished landscapes.

This is a newly created, role at the Chiltern Society, designed to help drive our long-term income growth and ensure the sustainability of our work across the region. You'll bridge the gap between an idea and delivery—developing projects and securing the funding, partnerships, and business opportunities needed to bring them to life. Apply now and help shape the future of the Chilterns.

Apply by noon on Thursday 26 June with your CV and cover letter explaining how your skills and experience fit the role. Full JD on the Chiltern Society website.

First round interviews will be held online/remotely on Monday 7 July. Successful second round candidates will be invited to interview and to give a short presentation to the panel, in person, at the Society’s Chesham office on Monday 17 July.

An exciting opportunity to join world-renown orchestra and choir The Sixteen, supporting the Development Director in achieving financial targets primarily through grant applications and also the cultivation of individuals who are interested in supporting the work of The Sixteen.

The Development Manager will primarily be a Trust and Foundation fundraiser who can demonstrate a genuine interest in the work of The Sixteen. The successful candidate will be responsible for researching and making grant applications to Trusts and Foundations and managing and reporting on an Arts Council England grant, alongside some work with The Sixteen's loyal supporters who give through a Major Donor Gift Programme and through a Membership Scheme. The role will report in to and work closely with the Development Director. Further responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of Development administration in conjunction with the Office Administrator who also supports the Development effort.

Fundraising and Development Manager

We are seeking a proactive and strategic fundraiser to lead income generation and drive real impact for the UK’s national trails.

Position: Fundraising and Development Manager
Salary: £38,000 per annum
Location: Remote (some UK travel required)
Hours: Full time
Contract: 2-year fixed term

Benefits: 25 days holiday per year

Closing Date: Midnight, Thursday 23rd May 2025
Interviews: First round online – 29th May 2025

About the Role

As Fundraising and Development Manager you’ll take the lead on building meaningful relationships with funders and corporate partners, managing grant applications from research to reporting, and developing the fundraising strategy in alignment with organisational goals.

As the sole fundraiser in a small, passionate team, this is a unique opportunity to shape a growing charity’s income generation strategy while championing access to the UK’s finest outdoor spaces.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Manage and grow relationships with trusts, grant-makers and corporate sponsors.
• Research new funding opportunities and develop compelling applications, including budgets and case studies.
• Develop the charity’s corporate membership offering and lead strategic partnerships.
• Support member organisations with funding opportunities and coordinate a Fundraising Special Interest Group.
• Maintain and develop the CRM system (Beacon) in line with fundraising best practice and GDPR.
• Monitor fundraising KPIs and contribute to annual budgets and business planning.
• Ensure fundraising is ethical, inclusive and legally compliant.

About You

You will be a self-starting, results-driven fundraiser who is comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a small team. You’ll thrive in a dynamic environment and are motivated by the opportunity to help shape an organisation's future.

You will bring:

• A strong track record in securing grants and building corporate partnerships
• Excellent relationship-building skills and donor stewardship expertise
• Strong bid-writing and budget development abilities
• Familiarity with charity CRMs and fundraising compliance
• A creative, adaptable and conscientious approach to fundraising
• Passion for the outdoors and equitable access to nature

Desirable:

• Experience working with membership organisations or infrastructure charities
• Knowledge of government funding and outdoor, heritage or tourism sectors

About the Organisation

The charity is the independent champion of the UK’s National Trails – iconic long-distance walking, cycling and riding routes. Connecting people to nature and the outdoors while advocating for accessible, sustainable trail experiences. Since their formation in 2021, they’ve grown quickly with an ambitious vision for a vibrant, nature-rich trail network used and valued by all.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Fundraising Manager, Partnerships Manager, Grants Manager, Development Manager, Philanthropy Manager, Income Generation Manager, Corporate Fundraising Lead, Major Donor Officer, Corporate Development Officer, Corporate Fundraising Manager, etc.

As a Bid Writing professional, you will be responsible for raising significant funds (Corporate, Community, Trusts & Foundations), secure new business partnerships to achieve sustainable, long-term funding, contract-winning and other income generation for Young Barnet Foundation.

Develop and manage Marketing and Communications strategy

Responsible for supporting YBF members through training, funding opportunities and grant applications and sharing knowledge and experience with over 200 members.

About Us:
Keswick Town Council, acting as Fitz Park Trust, has recently announced plans to launch a fundraising campaign to support the creation of a brand-new, inclusive play area in Fitz Park, Keswick. The new play area will offer a modern, safe, and fun environment for children of all ages and abilities to engage in physical activity, imaginative play, and outdoor exploration.

Fitz Park is central to the town’s outdoor life, and is a one of the town’s most valued outdoor spaces, providing both locals and tourists with a beautiful area to enjoy nature, to play and take part in recreational activities.

We are looking for an exceptional individual to help us deliver the funds required to bring this project to life, seeking both public and corporate donations, applying for grants and leading on all communications regarding this project.

Role Overview:
As a Fundraiser, you will play a key role in driving the success of our fundraising efforts. You will be responsible for developing and executing fundraising campaigns, engaging with existing and potential donors, and ensuring we meet our financial targets for the duration of the contract.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, organize, and deliver fundraising campaigns to support key initiatives and projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with current and potential donors, sponsors, and partners.
• Research and identify new fundraising opportunities, including grant applications and corporate partnerships.
• Manage donor communication, ensuring they receive timely and impactful updates.
• Organise and attend events and activities to raise funds and increase brand awareness.

We’re looking for someone with proven experience of fundraising or a similar role, and of project management work. You will thrive on developing innovative fundraising ideas and campaigns.

In return we can offer a generous hourly rate, the ability to work flexibly, and you will gain the satisfaction of seeing your success mirrored in the local community. 

The Fundraiser will be expected to ensure that funding for the role is included within the money raised.

Keswick Town Council is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.

Prostate Cancer Research aims to develop and deliver breakthrough medicines and treatments to achieve a world where people are free from the impact of prostate cancer. The organisation believes that it is only through research that we can build a future in which no family will have to fear losing a loved one to prostate cancer. In the last four years, we have expanded the amount of research it funds by four times. 

Prostate Cancer Research is seeking a an experienced, dynamic and driven Trusts & Statutory Executive. The role will take a lead on identifying and securing collaboration and funding opportunities with both existing and prospective partners, developing and managing a pipeline of funding partners that align with PCR’s mission and core programmes of work. 

Since 2018, PCR has significantly increased income from Trusts & Foundations and Statutory sources, as well as working in collaboration with other medical research charities and non-profits. This is a newly created and integral role within the Partnership Fundraising team to build on this work and will be key to identifying and nurturing relationships with prospective partners and funders, as well as developing and implementing comprehensive partnership strategies to engage existing and prospective partners. 

The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience of developing and nurturing relationships with funding partners (with experience of identifying and securing at least five-figure income), understanding complex issues and working with others to identify solutions, and producing compelling funding proposals in support of this work. They will also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the proven ability to build and manage strong, impactful relationships. 

Finally, candidates must have a passion for securing funding that will help improve the lives of people with prostate cancer and a commitment to advancing healthcare through strategic partnerships and collaboration. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Conduct proactive prospecting and qualification of Trusts & Statutory funding opportunities to build a robust pipeline of potential funders. 

• Identify and nurture relationships with prospective Trust & Foundations and Statutory funding partners aligned with the mission and values of PCR. 

• Develop and implement comprehensive partnership strategies to engage existing and prospective funding partners. 

• Stay informed about PCR’s current and future work and translate larger, complex programmes of work into relevant, compelling funding asks.

• Work closely with PCR's delivery departments and other income streams to identify, develop and maximise income generation opportunities. 

• Lead the preparation and submission of funding applications and reports for both existing and prospective funders. 

• Develop compelling, high-quality proposals for new and existing programmes, ensuring they are tailored to each funder’s priorities and aligned with organisational objectives.

• Lead negotiations and secure funding support from funding partners for activities aligned with PCR’s programmes of work. 

• Effectively manage project monitoring and reporting for PCR’s existing funded activities with identified funding partners, including regular communication, reporting, and public recognition of contributions (as appropriate), working closely with PCR’s delivery and communications teams.

• Stay informed of industry trends, giving initiatives, and relevant developments to inform partnership strategies and opportunities. 

• Represent PCR at external events, conferences, and meetings to promote partnership opportunities and expand our network, as required. 

• Database management to record pipeline and enable strategic planning against established KPIs and income targets. 

• Support Director of Partnerships to monitor and report income performance to PCR’s Board of Trustees. 

For a full list of desirable candidate experience, please see the attached job description. 

How to apply 

Please apply by submitting a copy of your CV and a supporting statement (no more than 2 pages) highlighting your suitability for the position and why you are interested in the position. 

There will be a two-stage interview process. The first interview will be online (via Teams), and the second will be an in-person interview at our offices in Holborn, London. 

 PCR is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. 

Job Title: Head of Fundraising

Location: Leamington Spa (40%-60% of working time)

Salary: £55,000 per annum

About Us: The Smallpeice Trust is an energetic and independent educational charity dedicated to addressing the shortage of engineers in the UK. We engage and inspire young people aged 8-18 to choose pathways leading to a career in engineering. Our vision is to get young people excited about STEM subjects, no matter their background, through fun, sustainable and educational activities delivered by inspiring experts and partnerships. We want to inspire the young people of today to become the changemakers of tomorrow.

Role Purpose: We are seeking a passionate and dynamic individual to lead the development and delivery of The Smallpeice Trust’s fundraising strategy, driving sustainable income growth from trusts, foundations and public sector sources. A natural leader and an effective communicator, the Head of Fundraising will find new and engaging ways to inspire and work with colleagues across the organisation, embedding a culture of philanthropy and external engagement that supports the Trust’s ambitious business goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of the annual Fundraising strategy, ensuring alignment with the wider organisational goals
• Proactively identify and pursue new funding opportunities from trusts, foundations, and public sector bodies
• Lead the development and submission of large-scale funding bids (£100k+), clearly articulating the societal and organisational impact of supporting The Smallpeice Trust.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with a network of loyal partners who support The Smallpeice Trust’s mission
• Own the fundraising pipeline and lead reporting across the team, including regular updates to pipeline meetings, CEO briefings and Board reports
• Work closely with internal teams, including Content & Impact and Programme Delivery, to ensure high-quality, impact-led reporting to funders
• Provide clear leadership and support to any direct reports or cross-functional project teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture
• Create and manage the fundraising team’s income and expenditure budget, ensuring financial targets are met and resources are effectively allocated
• Contribute to wider organisational planning and act as a strategic voice in senior-level conversations, championing income generation and external partnerships

What We’re Looking For:

• A proven track record of securing significant income from trusts, foundations and public sector funders, including six-figure grants

· Strong bid writing skills, with the ability to develop compelling cases for support tailored to different funders

· Experience developing and delivering successful fundraising strategies and meeting or exceeding ambitious income targets.

· Excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills, with experience collaborating across departments and working at senior levels.

· Familiarity with fundraising compliance, sector standards, and the use of CRM systems for pipeline and performance tracking.

· Ideally, experience workiing in or with education, STEM or charitable sectors

Apply Now: Join us in inspiring the next generation of engineers! For full details of the role and requirements, please download the job description below

What can we offer you?

The salary for this role is £55 000

You will start with 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (which increases after 2 years). We also offer a generous pension scheme (7% employer contribution), free health care provision, death in service benefit.

We are committed to helping our team members maintain a healthy work-life balance, so offer hybrid working opportunities, with an expectation of being in the Leamington office 2-3 days each week, but this may increase slightly during busy periods.

Diversity Equality and Inclusivity Commitment

We want to seize every opportunity to build a truly diverse and inclusive workplace, making sure we best reflect the values of the Trust and the diversity of the communities we engage with. We work hard to ensure that we are making exciting opportunities available to all, and everyone feels valued, heard and respected so that they can reach their full potential.

If you feel you don't meet every requirement, please apply anyway. We are committed to supporting your growth.

Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, at either application or interview stage, please contact us.

The closing date for applications is: 25th May 2025.

First interviews will be held via MS Teams and are currently scheduled for 6th June 2025.

Any second-stage interviews will be held in person at our office in Leamington Spa.

As a children’s charity whose work and practice are underpinned by safeguarding principles to protect children and young people and enhance their welfare, we always work in accordance with legislation, statutory guidance, and best safeguarding practices. This role will be subject to safer recruitment checks including an Enhanced Disclosure Check.

Please note that you must be eligible to work in the UK to apply.

Main purpose of role: 

To provide effective support for the Events team to achieve agreed fundraising targets and objectives through the delivery of a series of high quality events.

• Providing key and intensive support to the Challenge Events Manager, concerning the planning and implementation of all aspects of our challenge and running events portfolio
• Developing relationships with participants, individuals and organisations to maximise fundraising targets and ensure long term charity involvement

About us:

Muscular Dystrophy UK is the charity bringing individuals, families and professionals together to fight muscle-wasting conditions. We bring together more than 60 rare and very rare progressive muscle-weakening and wasting conditions, affecting around 110,000 children and adults in the UK. 

We share expert advice and support to live well now; fund ground breaking research to understand the different conditions better and lead us to new treatments; work with the NHS towards universal access to specialist health; and together, campaign for people’s rights, better understanding, accessibility, and access to treatments.

Benefits:

We appreciate the range of skills and experience our staff have to offer. In return for your enthusiasm and commitment we commit to actively developing and supporting you. We also offer a range of benefits including pension, life assurance, cycle scheme, health cash plan, financial wellbeing and an employee assistance programme.

Please download the job description to see full role responsibilities.

Location: We operate a hybrid model (home and office, London SE1). 

Closing date: 27 May 2025

The Community Development & Health Programme Manager is responsible for the ongoing strategic development of the programme area, as well as maintaining oversight of the contracted delivery across its broad but integrated remit.  The Programme Manager also has a responsibility to be visible in the communities we serve locally and to attend meetings, events and community profile raising within and without normal working hours, as needed.

This role leads the operational line management and direction of a multidisciplinary team of Project Managers, Seniors & Development Workers, who are themselves are responsible for designing, fundraising for, delivering & evaluating services and activities which cover the needs of the entire community, across the whole age range to meet identified community needs and with a range of VCSE and statutory partners. 

The aim of these activities, services and events is to deliver support, develop learning, and build VCSE infrastructure, capacity and sustainability to deliver individual and community changes for those facing challenges. These currently include community events; community hub development; youth and family work; emergency and community food provision through community supermarkets, East Sussex and Lewes District Food Partnerships; community capacity building; VCSE infrastructure support; healthy lifestyles activities and community-rooted approaches to addressing health inequalities; access to green, open and blue spaces for health and wellbeing; development of active travel; addressing environmental issues and climate change at a community level. 

This work is achieved through the coordination and development of appropriate partnerships, and initiating and delivering activities and services through community development approaches which are community-rooted and build stronger, healthier and inclusive communities.

With responsibility for bid writing in support of SCDA’s charitably funded activities and services, and collaboration on larger tenders for SCDA community initiatives & services, the post holder will ensure quality of provision and that those projects run to agreed budgets and schedules.

We are currently hiring for a new Trusts, Foundations and Corporates Manager, who will be responsible for managing income streams and maintaining a high standard of applications, reporting and stewardship for our trusted partners.

You will be joining a friendly team and your hard work will make an immediate, real impact for our inherited sight loss community.

Key responsibilities:

* Secure funding from Trusts, Foundations and Corporates sources to meet annual income targets and key performance indicators.

* Maintain existing relationships with Trusts, Foundations and Corporates and deliver growth opportunities by identifying new funding opportunities and monitor external trends regularly.

* Secure Corporate sponsorship for key events and projects including our Annual and Professionals’ conferences, our upcoming gala dinner and our Look Forward magazines.

* Write compelling cases for support and proposals, refreshing our case studies, impact and messaging regularly.

* Schedule, write and submit donor reports as part of our requirements and stewardship.

* Work with the Communications Manager and Head of Income Generation to create relevant case studies, news stories and social media content relevant to Trusts, Foundations and Corporates.

* Identify and cultivate new Corporate prospects and ensure that our database is kept up to date.

* Lead an exemplary stewardship programme for existing Corporate supporters and sponsors, to maximise income and establish donor loyalty.

* Collaborate with other internal teams to engage colleagues on the importance of Trusts, Foundations and Corporates by sharing successes and ways for colleagues to support these areas.

* Regularly measure the success of our outreach with pharmaceutical companies and Corporate prospects.

* Attend relevant networking events to grow our presence in the Corporate space and maintain an engaging post-event stewardship with all new contacts.

* Research and prepare applications and presentations for Charity of the Year partnerships and grow this area year-on-year.

* Create high quality, inspiring proposals, pitches, copy and other material for new opportunities, ensuring that all communications are on brand.

SPECIFICATION (E = essential, D = desirable):

Skills & Experience

Minimum of 1 year working in a similar role - E                                   

Working in a small team - D                                                                 

Educated to ‘A’ level standard or commensurate experience - E       

IT literate and highly adept in the use of MS Office Suite - E                   

Familiar with email and internet - E                                                     

High standard of written and verbal English and grammar - E           

Database experience - E                                                                     

Personal Attributes

Confident, polite and cheerful telephone manner  - E                           

Quick learner able to act on initiative and in the absence of managers - E                                                                                                   

An eye for detail and a flair for organisation - E                                 

Ability to empathise with people with disabilities (particularly visual impairment) - E                                                                               

Able to manage a busy workload - E                                                   

Commitment

Empathy with Retina UK’s aims and objectives - E                           

Willing to live Retina UK’s values - E     

As a skilled and motivated fundraising professional you will help to grow income across trusts, foundations, individuals, legacies, and corporate giving. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a committed team and play a vital role in supporting the Historic Dockyard’s charitable work.

You’ll be responsible for researching and approaching funders aligned with our goals, writing compelling proposals, and developing lasting relationships with supporters. Working closely with the Development and Impact Manager and other departments, you’ll help secure funding for both specific projects and core work, ensuring impact is clearly measured and shared.

The role includes developing and delivering individual giving initiatives, supporting legacy campaigns, and identifying sponsorship and partnership opportunities with companies. You'll also contribute to monitoring major grants and support larger fundraising campaigns as needed.

We are seeking an individual with excellent communication skills, previous experience of bid writing and operating giving campaigns within the charitable sector, experience in income generation, and a proactive, collaborative approach. Strong writing, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities are essential.

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining our team and wish to apply for this vacancy, please complete our application form and send it back to us along with a copy of your CV by Sunday 25th May 2025, 12pm.

Interviews are scheduled to take place w/c 2nd June 2025.

Please note, due to the volume of applications we receive, we are not able to contact all unsuccessful candidates. 

We are an equal opportunities employer and committed to providing our employees with a work environment free from discrimination in which all can develop and thrive. 
We acknowledge and value the benefits of a diverse workforce and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is transparent, fair, and as inclusive as possible for all applicants.

At over 200 acres, Crystal Palace Park is far larger than most urban parks. Beloved as a ‘back garden’ to many people in the surrounding neighbourhoods, it is also of national and international significance due to its design as the grounds to the Victorian architectural masterpiece, The Crystal Palace, and its rich unique heritage including the 170-year-old world-famous dinosaurs. Today, circa one million people visit the park every year; to relax and meet friends and family, take part in sports and physical exercise, enjoy world-class acts during summer festivals, or simply have a moment of peace and enjoyment of nature.

The Senior Communications & Marketing Officer role offers the opportunity to join a young and growing registered charity at an exciting point in its evolution, and to help establish Crystal Palace Park as an exemplar in urban park management, community-led regeneration and cultural and heritage programming whilst restoring its position as one of the UK’s leading visitor attractions.

We are looking for a creative, organised and audience-focused marketing and communications professional to join the Trust. Reporting to the Senior Communications & Marketing Manager, you will work with the whole team identifying the best ways to use our different channels to share our unique and inspiring stories and develop our profile at local, national and international levels. 

You will have experience of coordinating marketing and communications activity, ideally in a visitor-facing venue. 

You will have oversight of the website, social media platforms, e-newsletter and audience research programme and will support with press enquiries, PR and content development. If you are an ambitious self-starter looking to develop your skills across a wide marketing, communications and digital remit in a unique cultural and heritage landscape, then look no further!

How to apply
Applications must be received by 9 June 2025 @ 10am

First round interviews will be held w/c 16 June 2025

Second round interviews to be confirmed.

All applicants must submit an Equal Opportunities Form

At The Hospice of St Francis we believe Hospice care is fundamental for a good life - a human right, not a postcode lottery.  The work of the Hospice is vital – to the people they support, their families and to the community. Funding our future means commercial enterprise, philanthropy and sustainable trading.

The Hospice of St Francis is a charity with a powerful history and has provided outstanding hospice care for over 45 years. Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC since 2016, The Hospice helps 2,000 local people and their families in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, to live their lives well. Care is tailored to individual’s needs, supporting people recovering from life threatening illness, those living with a diagnosis that will result in premature death and support for family and friends in caring and through loss and grief. The Hospice works to deliver care, at Home, at the Hospice in the Health and Wellbeing Centre and in-patient unit.

The Hospice has invested in digital development. The Director of Media and Digital income oversees income to the value of £400k with a trajectory for growth. This includes all appeals, promotion of established products like legacy giving and matched funding programmes. The legacy pipeline was redesigned in 2024 with an award winning film “I will 1%” inspired by the work of Richard Ratcliffe. The Hospice is one of over 100 Hospices working with Hospice UK to promote legacy funding at a national and local level with a combined campaign. Investment for the future means The Hospice has a centrally managed people and systems team, this includes management of our CRM (Donify), enabling the Executive Team report on KPIs with internally triangulated data for better decision-making. The Hospice is also working with Finegreen to recruit an interim Head of Philanthropy to review the approach to philanthropy to date and make clear recommendations. A third party will deliver market research to update intelligence on current and potential markets for supporters. With innovation at its core, The Hospice has embedded ‘everyone’s a fundraiser’ into the organisational culture. This includes an embedded fundraiser in clinical services for a faster response whenever a person receiving care and support expresses an interest in becoming a fundraiser.  All of this ensures our Fundraising Directorate can now focus on ‘in real life’ or ‘in person’ fundraising, identifying and working with new cohorts of supporters, assure continued innovation in facilitating meaningful giving experiences, running high profile events to unite people behind a shared cause, challenge events and new approach to philanthropy.

As our Director of Fundraising, you will be an innovative strategic leader, a people person who combines humanity with data driven decision-making. Your role includes leading an experienced team to deliver over £2.5m in income annually and steward £1m in legacies, with the opportunity to make your own appointments to lead philanthropy. As part of the strategy of the Hospice your business case development will deliver an additional ≥£1m by 2028, in a trajectory for growth. An adept storyteller with a passion for Hospice care – you will lead strategic partnerships, working cross sector and operating effectively at Board/Committee. You will be accountable for identifying, testing and implementing fundraising approaches not typically used to date in the sector, including new philanthropy, donor advised funds and social investment models with a pipeline for delivery of new income. You will research and develop strategic alliances built on value exchange, where individuals and organisations come together to define the benefit of this collaboration and commitment to donate/invest. An accessible, visible and credible ambassador you will build networks to garner support across the community. There will be opportunities to represent the Hospice in external partnerships and projects locally and nationally.

If this feel like the right role for you, we would love to hear from you.  

Recruitment Timetable

Applications Close: Sunday, 8 June 2025  
Shortlisting Interviews: w/c 16 June 2025  
Final Interviews and Assessment: w/c 30 June 2025
 
For further information and a confidential call, please contact Joe Joyce and Natasha Parmar at Finegreen

Application is by CV and Covering Letter and should be submitted to Finegreen

Purpose of role: To support the Head of Partnerships in managing and retaining the charity’s existing donor base and in establishing new major donor partnerships to secure significant income for the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN): an impactful fundraising and grant-giving wildlife conservation NGO focused on supporting grassroots projects across the Global South.

Reports to: Head of Partnerships

Contract: Full-time, permanent contract, working 5 days p/w

Deadline to apply: Friday 23rd May (but please apply at your earliest convenience). Initial interviews will be targeted for end of May.

Whitley Fund for Nature

Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) is a UK charity supporting grassroots conservation leaders across the Global South. Through project funding (Awards), training, and media profile, we support local solutions to the planet’s most pressing conservation challenges. Our winners are courageous changemakers, working alongside communities to save species and protect ecosystems. Established in 1993, we have channeled £24 million to +220 conservation leaders in 80 countries, benefitting wildlife, landscapes, and people. WFN is governed by a committed trustee board. Our team is dynamic, passionate about our mission, and ambitious. The charity benefits from high profile support from Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, and Ambassador Sir David Attenborough. Our funding is raised each year, mainly from family trusts and foundations, as well as from individuals, corporates, and international NGOs, with a current annual income of around £2.6m/year. We raise funds based on winner need, and in the coming years are seeking to steadily grow what we provide in support to winners, actively pursuing new partnerships to support our mission.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Partnerships Manager to join our small and dynamic team. This new role will support the Head of Partnerships and wider WFN team in delivering our fundraising strategy, stewarding high-value donor relationships, and unlocking new opportunities for income growth. 

The Partnerships Manager will work directly with some of WFN’s existing portfolio of 30 Major Donors made up primarily of Trusts, Family Foundations and High-Net-Worth Individual (HNWI) supporters, with some Corporates. The Partnerships Manager will maintain close professional relationships with supporters that are bespoke and require excellent interpersonal skills, with most meetings taking place in-person, in central London. 

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a highly respected conservation organisation making a real difference on the ground.

PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER - PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Essential

• A proven track record of fundraising, donor management, and/or building relationships with stakeholders in the non-profit or philanthropic sector.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with experience drafting donor materials and reports.
• A proven track record in the development of grant applications, including drafting objectives, activities, timelines, indicators, and budgets, as well as coordinating narrative content and inputs from across the team.
• Past experience coordinating and delivering fundraising and engagement events.
• Experience coordinating volunteer committees.
• Exceptional interpersonal qualities, and comfortable liaising with high-profile individuals and senior stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Proactive, dependable, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• A flexible ‘can do’ approach with the ability to chase opportunities, while remaining resilient and positive
• An open and collaborative working style, with a willingness to share information, communicate clearly, and contribute to a supportive small team environment.
• A genuine interest in conservation and/or passion for social and environmental equity through a grassroots approach. 

Desirable

• Experience working with donor databases or Salesforce. 
• Familiarity with trusts and foundations, HNWI fundraising, or corporate partnerships.
• Previous work in a small, agile team or start-up-style organisation.

Additional details and benefits

• Attractive holiday package totaling 30 days p.a. plus bank holidays.
• Training and professional development opportunities provided.
• Hybrid working opportunities
• The charity operates a Pension Scheme and a Life Assurance Scheme.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship. Only applicants who have the right to work in the UK at the time of application will be considered for this role.

Regrettably, due to limited resources and the high number of applications we receive, we are only able to contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

Diversity and Inclusion

At WFN we are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse organisation, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. We celebrate and respect diversity in nature and among the people and partners with whom we work. We need more people and diversity across the environment sector, and to achieve our vision. We are therefore particularly keen to receive applications from Black, Asian or minority ethnic; disabled; LGBTQ+; or from lower socio-economic backgrounds. As a small organisation we are committed to progressing and continuing development across DE&I. Please contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application. Applications are considered solely on your demonstrated suitability