3 Donor development fundraiser volunteer roles in Birmingham

Help a growing education charity build the funding it needs to develop its programmes and reach more children and young people.

Coempowered is a small education charity creating spaces for philosophical inquiry, critical thinking and meaningful dialogue. We work mainly with children, young people and young adults, including Persian-speaking communities from Afghanistan and Iran, with Kurdish-language provision also developing.

We are at an important stage of our development and are looking for volunteers to help us strengthen our fundraising. This is a varied role that can be shaped around your experience, interests and strengths.

You might contribute to:

• researching trusts, foundations, grant programmes and other potential funding opportunities
• identifying opportunities that fit our programmes, beneficiaries and stage of development
• maintaining a funding pipeline and application calendar
• researching funders and understanding their priorities and requirements
• preparing and writing grant applications and expressions of interest
• adapting applications to different funders and criteria
• developing our case for support and other core fundraising materials
• gathering programme, impact, budget and organisational information needed for applications
• helping develop programme and project funding proposals
• keeping accurate records of applications, deadlines, outcomes and follow-ups
• supporting donor and partnership research
• contributing to fundraising planning and reviewing what is working
• helping us develop a practical longer-term fundraising strategy.

Different levels of experience are welcome

You do not need to be experienced in every aspect of fundraising.

If you have substantial fundraising experience, there is scope to take greater responsibility for developing our fundraising strategy, identifying priorities, improving our approach and supporting other fundraising volunteers.

If you are earlier in your fundraising career, or have strong transferable skills in research, writing, communications, project development or similar work, we can agree a more focused area of responsibility and support you to develop your experience.

We would rather build a good team around complementary strengths than expect one volunteer to do everything.

Who we’re looking for

Depending on the area you work on, useful skills and experience could include:

• fundraising or grant fundraising
• bid or proposal writing
• research and information gathering
• strong written communication
• project or programme development
• strategic planning
• donor or partnership research
• maintaining organised records and pipelines
• charity, education or community-sector experience.

Most importantly, we are looking for people who are reliable, thoughtful and able to produce careful, high-quality work. You should be able to work independently, communicate clearly and follow through on agreed responsibilities.

For roles involving substantial responsibility for fundraising strategy or major applications, relevant fundraising experience will be important.

Why your contribution matters

Fundraising is central to Coempowered’s next stage of development.

We have developed our educational work largely through volunteer effort. Building a stronger and more sustainable funding base will allow us to improve our programmes, support and train facilitators, strengthen our organisational capacity and reach more participants without compromising the quality of our educational work.

Your contribution could help us identify opportunities we would otherwise miss, submit stronger applications and build the systems and evidence needed to develop longer-term relationships with funders and supporters.

For an experienced fundraiser, there is also an opportunity to have a significant influence on how a developing charity approaches fundraising from the beginning.

Practical details

The role is fully remote and can be carried out from anywhere with reliable internet access.

Working hours are flexible and can be agreed according to your availability and area of responsibility. We ask volunteers to maintain regular communication, attend agreed online meetings where relevant and give reasonable notice if their availability changes.

We are particularly interested in volunteers who can contribute consistently over time, although we may also consider applicants with specialist fundraising expertise who can support a defined project or piece of work.

📍 Remote | International Team ⏱️ Approximately 1 day per week (8-12 hours) 📅 Minimum 12-month commitment 💙 Volunteer Position

Help Transform Lives Through Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Uganda

Equal Aqua is an award-winning NGO working to tackle inequalities in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) across Uganda. Through partnerships with local communities, schools and grassroots organisations, we help provide sustainable access to safe water, improved sanitation, hygiene education and environmental protection initiatives.

Our international team of 30+ volunteers spans more than 10 countries, united by a shared commitment to creating lasting change. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a passionate and experienced Fundraising Manager to lead our fundraising efforts and help us expand our impact.

Why This Role Matters

Fundraising is at the heart of everything we do.

As Fundraising Manager, you will play a critical leadership role in securing the resources that enable Equal Aqua to reach more communities, develop new projects and improve the lives of thousands of people across Uganda.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced fundraiser who wants to use their skills to make a meaningful global impact while working alongside a dedicated and inspiring team of volunteers.

What You'll Be Doing

Strategic Leadership

✅ Lead the implementation of Equal Aqua's fundraising strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational goals, vision and values.

✅ Develop innovative fundraising initiatives to support sustainable organisational growth.

✅ Monitor funding trends and identify new grant and funding opportunities.

Fundraising & Income Generation

✅ Drive income generation through multiple fundraising channels, including:

• Grant and trust applications
• Charitable foundations
• Corporate partnerships and sponsorships
• Individual giving programmes
• Community fundraising
• Creative fundraising campaigns and events

✅ Support the development of annual fundraising targets and budgets.

✅ Monitor fundraising performance and help maximise income opportunities.

Donor & Supporter Engagement

✅ Manage and grow relationships with existing supporters and donors.

✅ Deliver exceptional supporter stewardship and donor care.

✅ Increase donor retention and maximise long-term supporter value.

Team Leadership

✅ Lead and motivate an international team of fundraising volunteers.

✅ Delegate responsibilities effectively and support team development.

✅ Foster a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing team culture.

Governance & Reporting

✅ Report regularly to the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees.

✅ Contribute content and updates for grant reports and organisational reporting.

✅ Participate in team, committee and governance meetings as required.

Who We're Looking For

We'd love to hear from professionals with experience in:

• Fundraising Management
• Trusts & Foundations Fundraising
• Corporate Partnerships
• Individual Giving
• Grant Writing
• Business Development
• Non-Profit Leadership

You'll bring:

✔ Proven fundraising experience and a track record of achieving income targets

✔ Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills

✔ Experience leading or mentoring teams

✔ Excellent communication and organisational abilities

✔ Strategic thinking and a proactive approach

✔ Passion for social impact, international development and WASH equality

Our Impact So Far

Thanks to our volunteers, partners and supporters, Equal Aqua has already achieved:

💧 32,866 people with improved access to safe water

🚻 11,044 people with improved sanitation facilities

📚 11,755 people with improved WASH knowledge and skills

🩸 3,877 people with improved menstrual hygiene knowledge

🏆 British High Commission Award Winner

Every pound raised helps us extend this impact even further.

Why Volunteer With Equal Aqua?

🌍 Make a tangible difference to communities across Uganda

🤝 Join a diverse team of volunteers from around the world

📈 Gain valuable leadership and strategic fundraising experience

🚀 Help shape the future growth of an award-winning NGO

💡 Collaborate with passionate professionals committed to sustainable change

❤️ Use your skills to create real-world impact

Our Vision

To become a leading organisation in Uganda addressing inequalities in WASH and interconnected issues of gender equality and environmental sustainability.

Our Values

At Equal Aqua, we champion grassroots-led development and believe lasting change happens when communities are empowered to shape their own futures. We are committed to creating a welcoming, collaborative and inclusive environment where every volunteer can thrive.

Interested?

If you're passionate about fundraising and inspired by the opportunity to help transform lives through access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us create a future where everyone has equal access to safe and sustainable WASH services.

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