Trusts fundraiser jobs

0.5 FTE – 18.75 hours per week (flexible working)
Salary: £30,000-£32,000 FTE depending on experience
Location: Hybrid working with one regular day or half-day per week in Abingdon/Oxfordshire, alongside home working and occasional external meetings

About Quest for Learning

Quest for Learning is an education charity working to close the gap for primary school children in Oxfordshire who are falling behind due to disadvantage.

We work closely with schools to deliver targeted, evidence-led literacy and numeracy programmes that help children build the skills, confidence and foundations they need to thrive. Many of the children we support are growing up in poverty, facing barriers linked to low family literacy, unmet additional needs, unstable home circumstances, or limited access to wider opportunities.

Our programmes are delivered by experienced professional tutors and are built around structured interventions, strong school partnerships and measurable outcomes. On average, pupils supported through our small-group tutoring make around 13 months of progress in just 10 hours of support.

Quest for Learning is entering an important new stage of development. Following a period of organisational growth and strategic transition, we are investing in building a more sustainable and ambitious fundraising function that can deepen our impact and reach more children across Oxfordshire.

This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping that journey.

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to join a small but ambitious charity at a genuinely exciting stage of development.

You’ll have:

• Real ownership and autonomy within your role
• The opportunity to help shape and build a growing fundraising function
• Close working relationships with the CEO and leadership team
• Flexibility and hybrid working arrangements
• The chance to make a direct and measurable difference to children facing disadvantage
• Opportunities for progression as the organisation grows

We are intentionally investing in fundraising and organisational growth, and this role offers the opportunity to help shape a developing fundraising function within an ambitious, evidence-led charity with strong foundations and significant future potential.

We are a collaborative, supportive and purpose-driven team that values initiative, professionalism, creativity and compassion.

Role purpose

We are seeking a proactive, highly organised and motivated fundraiser to lead and grow our trusts and grants fundraising activity.

This role will focus primarily on identifying funding opportunities, developing compelling applications, managing funder relationships and building a strong pipeline of income to support Quest for Learning’s future growth.

The successful candidate will play a key role in helping us develop a more strategic and sustainable fundraising approach. We are looking for someone who can combine strong written communication and attention to detail with initiative, pace and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

This role would suit someone with existing trusts fundraising experience, or someone with highly transferable skills who can learn quickly and thrive in a fast-moving environment.

You will work closely with the CEO, programme staff and trustees, with access to strong impact data, established programmes and a compelling case for support.

Alongside this role, Quest for Learning is also exploring the development of an additional partnerships-focused fundraising role. We are open-minded about how responsibilities are ultimately structured and welcome applications from candidates with a range of backgrounds, experiences and strengths.

Key responsibilities

Trusts and foundations fundraising

• Research and identify prospective trusts, foundations and grant opportunities
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of funding prospects
• Develop and submit high-quality, tailored funding applications
• Manage multiple applications and deadlines simultaneously
• Produce timely and well-written monitoring reports and evaluations
• Work closely with programme staff to gather impact data, case studies and delivery information
• Maintain accurate records of applications, deadlines and funder communications within Beacon CRM
• Monitor fundraising performance and contribute to pipeline tracking and forecasting
• Support the development of longer-term funding strategies and priorities

Relationship management and stewardship

• Build positive and professional relationships with funders and supporters
• Arrange and attend occasional meetings with funders and partners where appropriate
• Ensure strong stewardship and communication throughout the funding lifecycle
• Support the CEO in managing strategic funding relationships

Organisational Contribution

• Contribute to the ongoing development of Quest for Learning’s fundraising function and systems
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation
• Represent Quest for Learning professionally and passionately to external audiences
• Contribute ideas and insight to support organisational growth and sustainability

Person specification

We recognise that strong fundraisers do not always come from traditional charity fundraising backgrounds. If you have transferable skills and experience in areas such as bid writing, partnerships, relationship management, education, sales, communications, account management or business development - and are excited by our mission - we would strongly encourage you to apply.

Essential

• Excellent written communication skills with strong attention to detail
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Ability to work independently and proactively
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Confidence using databases, spreadsheets and digital systems
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively
• Commitment to the mission and values of Quest for Learning
• Experience of writing successful funding applications, bids, proposals or other persuasive written content

Desirable

• Experience in trusts and foundations fundraising within the charity sector
• Experience using Beacon CRM or similar fundraising databases
• Understanding of monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting
• Experience within education, children’s services or related sectors
• Knowledge of the Oxfordshire funding landscape
• Experience working within a small charity or growing organisation

What success looks like in this role

Successful performance in this role is likely to include:

• Building and maintaining a strong and active funding pipeline
• Producing a consistent volume of high-quality applications and reports
• Securing significant grant income for the charity
• Developing strong funder relationships and stewardship practices
• Contributing to the growth and professionalisation of Quest for Learning’s fundraising function
• Helping position Quest for Learning for sustainable long-term growth

As Quest for Learning grows, we expect this role to develop too, with opportunities to shape strategy and take on increasing responsibility over time.

Who thrives at Quest for Learning?

People who tend to thrive at Quest for Learning are:

• proactive and solutions-focused
• motivated by meaningful impact
• comfortable working independently while collaborating closely with others
• excited by helping build and improve systems and processes
• adaptable, thoughtful and motivated to grow professionally alongside the organisation

Working arrangements

• 0.5 FTE with flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid role combining home working with one regular day or half-day per week in Abingdon/Oxfordshire
• Occasional travel across Oxfordshire for meetings and events
• Flexible working patterns can be discussed

Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working
• Pension contribution
• TOIL policy
• Supportive and collaborative working culture
• Professional development opportunities
• Opportunity to help shape a growing fundraising function within an ambitious charity

Application process

To apply, please submit:

• A CV
• A short statement explaining your interest in the role and how your experience meets the person specification

We encourage applications from candidates with both traditional and non-traditional fundraising backgrounds.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Chris Higgins, CEO

Closing date: midday, Tuesday 30 June
Interviews: week commencing 6 or 13 July 

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 diverse library, the charity enables children and adults to experience the joy and lifelong benefits of reading, while increasingly delivering impact across literacy, education, wellbeing and social inclusion.

Fundraising at Calibre Audio is entering an exciting new phase of development. The charity has recently appointed its first Director of Fundraising & Communications, bringing fundraising, communications and brand together under a newly created leadership role. With a refreshed organisational narrative, ambitious plans for growth and a renewed focus on increasing income and profile, fundraising is becoming an increasingly important driver of Calibre Audio’s future impact.

Trusts and foundations are a key part of this growth strategy. Historically, income has been generated through a combination of loyal funders and a high volume of smaller grants. The organisation is now seeking to build a more strategic trusts programme focused on stronger stewardship, deeper funder relationships, larger grants and long-term partnerships. There is significant untapped potential, including opportunities to re-engage previous funders, develop new relationships and secure support for a range of compelling programmes spanning literacy, education, disability, wellbeing and community impact.

The Senior Trusts Fundraiser will lead this work, partnering closely with the Director to shape and deliver the next phase of trusts fundraising at Calibre Audio. This is a role with genuine scope to influence strategy, develop new opportunities and make a visible contribution to organisational growth. It would suit an ambitious trusts fundraiser who enjoys relationship building as much as writing applications and is motivated by the opportunity to help build something.

As Senior Trusts Fundraiser, you will:

• Develop and implement a strategic trusts and foundations fundraising programme aligned with organisational priorities
• Identify, research and cultivate new funding opportunities, with a focus on larger and multi-year grants
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of prospective trusts and foundations
• Develop compelling, high-quality funding applications, proposals and report
• Secure significant income from a portfolio of trusts and foundations
• Build and strengthen long-term relationships with funders through excellent stewardship and engagement
• Reactivate and develop relationships with previous funders and supporters
• Work closely with colleagues across the organisation to gather impact data and develop compelling cases for support
• Act as a key ambassador for Calibre Audio with funders and external stakeholders

Essential skills and experience:

• Proven track record of securing five-figure grants from trusts and foundations
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to develop persuasive and compelling funding applications
• Strong prospect research and pipeline development skills
• Experience identifying, developing and securing new funding opportunities
• Excellent verbal communication skills and confidence engaging with external stakeholders
• A proactive and entrepreneurial approach, with the ability to spot opportunities and drive activity forward
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Desirable, but not essential:

• Experience securing six-figure and/or multi-year grants
• Knowledge of the disability, literacy, education or wellbeing sectors
• Experience using Beacon CRM
• Experience contributing to fundraising strategy

Calibre Audio are also keen to hear from ambitious early-career fundraisers. Whilst a track record of securing trusts funding is essential, we are more interested in your potential, approach and attributes than the size of grants you have secured to date. If you bring strong relationship-building skills, initiative and an entrepreneurial mindset, this role offers an exceptional opportunity to work closely with an experienced fundraising leader, benefit from coaching and mentoring, and play a key role in shaping a growing trusts programme.

Employee benefits include

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and an additional Calibre Christmas closure day
• Matched pension contributions up to 5% of salary
• Medical Cash Plan (Hive Insurance Bronze Package)
• Life Assurance cover of 2 x salary
• Employee Assistance Programme 
• Reward Gateway, offering discounts and savings across hundreds of retailers
• Free on-site parking

Salary: £35,553–£39,481 pro rata
Location: Home-based (with occasional meetings in Coventry)
Contract: 12-month fixed term, part-time 20-40% FTE (1–2 days per week equivalent)

About Cord

Cord is an international charity working to make peace a reality where people don’t have the freedom to exercise their rights. We work to build the relationship between those in power and local communities. 

We believe that people flourish when all parts of society work together. Peaceful relationships make that possible. The simple act of talking begins a journey of growth which transforms mistrust, includes the excluded and turns adversaries into allies.

Cord operates in eight countries and implements programmes in the following areas:

• Empowering Women & Girls
• Accessing Fundamental Freedoms
• Climate & the Environment
• Economic Empowerment
• Supporting Stronger Societies

We are a small, committed team who love working together to make a huge impact. A 2026 global staff survey returned very positive feedback about Cord as a place to work with strong expressions of belonging, purpose and value, and with 97% of staff saying that would recommend Cord as a great place to work. We are looking for a great candidate to join this fantastic organisation and contribute to our work to Build Peace. If you like the sound of us, then take a look at the recruitment pack and come and join our team!

The Role

We are looking for an experienced and proactive Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser to grow this vital area of income. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and deliver our trusts and foundations strategy at a key point in our organisational development, helping to diversify income and support innovative, impactful programmes.

You will lead on identifying and securing new funding opportunities, building strong donor relationships, and writing compelling proposals and reports. You’ll also represent Cord externally and work collaboratively across teams to develop strong cases for support.

About You

We are looking for someone with a proven track record of securing funding from trusts, foundations, or philanthropic donors, alongside excellent writing and communication skills. You will be confident building relationships and proactively developing opportunities, with a strong understanding of the philanthropic landscape.

You’ll be an excellent communicator and able to translate complex programmes into persuasive funding cases, and comfortable building relationships through networking and outreach.

If you like what you read and are passionate about real and lasting change, come and join us and be part of the Cord story.

To apply please send us your CV and a Cover Letter detailing your interest in the role and how you fulfil the requirements outlined in the job description.

This is a home-based role, with some occasional travel to Coventry required for meetings. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.