Grants funding officer volunteer roles in Cardiff, wales

Second Life

We partner with communities to collect, trace, and recycle plastic, creating jobs and preventing pollution.​

Our growth so far has been powered by corporate partnerships.
But there's significant catalytic and concessional funding available for organizations doing exactly what we do, and right now we're not capturing it. We need the help of a Grant Writer & Institutional Funding Lead to change that. 

This is a high-leverage role for an experienced development professional who knows the climate, ocean, and circular economy funding landscape, and who can turn that knowledge into successful proposals. You'll own the full grant lifecycle from prospecting to reporting, working directly with the CEO and Program Director.

What you'll do:
- Map the global funding landscape relevant to Second Life: bilateral aid agencies, multilateral institutions, climate funds, major foundations, corporate foundations, impact investors offering grant capital, and prize-based funders.
- Build and maintain a prioritized funder pipeline with clear fit assessment, ticket sizes, timelines, and decision-maker contacts.
- Recommend which opportunities to pursue and which to pass on.
- Read and critically review our in-progress and recently submitted grant applications; provide structured written feedback and proposed edits.
- Lead the writing of concept notes, letters of inquiry, and full proposals.
- Translate field reality (collection sites, collector incomes, recycling pathways) into the language funders use (outputs, outcomes, impact, theory of change, MEL frameworks).
- Own grant reporting timelines and deliverables across all active grants
- Partner with marketing on funder-facing communications, impact stories, and thought leadership that strengthens grant competitiveness
- Build internal systems: proposal templates, internal library of strong language, proof points and reusable section, AI usage etc. so this function can scale.

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

6+ months

Neuroverse Community CIC supports disabled and neurodivergent young people aged 12–16 who are unable to access school. We deliver LAMDA drama, Science and neuro-affirming education in Nailsworth and Stroud, Gloucestershire — as a registered LAMDA Private Examination Centre.

Our disabled and neurodivergent Founder is an ex-Charity Director, multi-award-winning education professional, former SENDCO and LAMDA Grade 8 holder. She has personally founded, run and delivered Neuroverse for 2 years, entirely voluntarily.

Shortlisted: Scope Awards 2026 Purple Pioneer Award.

Our Founder has dyscalculia and needs a strategic finance partner to:

• Oversee financial health and 3-year forecasts

• Advise on Blended Finance: Grants and Social Investment

• Support grant applications and funding strategy

• Termly meetings — low time commitment, real impact

Chartered Accountant or Finance Professional.

Neurodivergent and disabled professionals especially welcome.

Allies who genuinely believe in Nothing About Us, Without Us are warmly invited.

Reasonable adjustments always available.

Right to Work in UK essential. 

Equal Aqua is seeking a Trustee with significant fundraising expertise to provide strategic leadership and hands-on support to drive substantial income growth as the organisation scales towards a seven-figure annual income. The role involves actively leveraging networks to open doors to major donors, corporate partners and grant-makers, initiating high-value funding conversations and developing new income streams. The Trustee will help shape and oversee the organisation’s long-term fundraising strategy, support the cultivation and conversion of major funding opportunities, mentor the fundraising team and strengthen proposals and donor engagement. Acting as an ambassador for the organisation, they will also help raise Equal Aqua’s profile within influential networks while ensuring strong governance, accountability and performance through the Board and Fundraising Committee. The ideal candidate will bring senior-level fundraising experience, strong sector knowledge in areas such as WASH, climate or international development, and a network capable of unlocking significant new funding opportunities.

Equal Aqua is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in the UK; Equal Aqua Uganda is a registered Community Based Organisation (CBO) in Uganda (‘EAU’ refers to both). Both operate equally and in unison. The purpose of EAU is to enable communities in Uganda to have access to safe and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities. EAU supports schools and communities facing the greatest WASH inequalities by providing water tanks and filters, running classes and workshops, and empowering young people to be WASH change makers in their community. The current Board of Trustees, consisting of 5 members based in UK and Uganda, provides guidance to the volunteer EAU management team as well as supporting the implementing volunteers based in UK, Uganda and other countries.

The objectives of EAU are, in Uganda, to:

1. To improve access to safe and sustainable WASH for those facing the greatest inequalities in Uganda

2. To strengthen the participation of local communities in WASH, in particular women and girls, and displaced peoples

3. To take action to protect the natural environment, reduce pollution and tackle climate change

The role of trustees is:

1. Sculpt and maintain EAU’s vision, mission, objectives and values.

2. Act as ‘critical friends’ in the development of EAU’s policy, programming and planning.

3. Actively champion EAU externally, opening doors to people and organisations that can support our cause, fostering awareness and engagement in the UK, Uganda and internationally.

4. Support in particular with income generation activities, advising and supporting delivery of major campaigns and helping to build EAU’s donor and partner base.

5. Establish and maintain systems for reporting and monitoring.

6. Ensure that the financial affairs of the organisation are conducted properly and are accurately reported.

7. Manage risk and ensure compliance and accountability with the governing document (EAU Constitution), external regulators and the law (UK and Uganda).

8. Safeguard EAU’s assets – both physical assets, including property, and intangible ones, such as its reputation.

Ensure EAU has the appropriate structure and resources to deliver the above.

Trustee Responsibilities:

1. To attend and contribute to EAU Board of Trustee meetings, held at least on a quarterly basis. To work with EAU management to set an agenda in advance of this meeting.

2. Currently, Trustees will hold the position for a maximum of 3 years. This length of trusteeship will be reviewed with the aim of staggering Trustee terms to ensure a smooth transition between board members.

3. To support the recruitment of additional trustees, from diverse backgrounds and providing a range of expertise.

4. To offer personal expertise and skills in select areas for the benefit of EAU. This may include legal, management, practical, fundraising, marketing or other relevant areas.

5. To offer advice and feedback on EAU’s main fundraising programmes, e.g. events and grant applications.

Additional Responsibilities of Trustee with fundraising expertise

To provide strategic leadership and hands-on support to drive significant and sustainable income growth for Equal Aqua, with the ambition of building towards a seven-figure annual income.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Fundraising Leadership
   Provide Board-level oversight and strategic direction for the development and execution of an ambitious, multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with EAU’s growth plans, ensuring clear pathways to seven-figure annual income.
2. Active Income Generation & Network Mobilisation
   Proactively generate income by leveraging personal and professional networks to:
   • Open doors to high-value donors, grant-makers, corporates and philanthropic partners
   • Introduce EAU to influential individuals and decision-makers
   • Initiate and nurture strategic funding conversations
   • Identify and pursue new income streams and partnership opportunities

This role requires active relationship-building and direct contribution to income growth, not solely advisory input.

1. Pipeline Development & High-Value Fundraising
   Support the identification, cultivation and conversion of major funding opportunities, including trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships and major donors. Where appropriate, personally lead or co-lead high-value approaches.
2. Committee Leadership & Support
   Provide experienced guidance to the Fundraising Committee and fundraising volunteers, strengthening capability, confidence and performance across the team.
3. Hands-On Mentorship & Quality Assurance
   Offer practical, hands-on support to fundraising volunteers, including:
   • Reviewing and strengthening proposals and pitch materials
   • Advising on donor strategy and positioning
   • Supporting preparation for high-stakes meetings and presentations
4. Visibility & Advocacy
   Act as an ambassador for EAU, raising the organisation’s profile in relevant networks, events and forums, and positioning EAU as a credible, high-impact partner.
5. Governance & Accountability
   Attend quarterly Fundraising Committee meetings (one of EAU’s management committees) and relevant Board meetings, ensuring clear income targets, performance monitoring and accountability for results.

Desired Background and expertise of Trustee with Fundraising expertise.

 Senior Fundraising Experience

• A substantial track record (ideally 5+ years) in charity fundraising, with experience operating at a strategic level. This should include demonstrable success in securing significant income from one or more of the following: trusts and foundations, major donors, corporate partnerships, institutional funders or high-net-worth individuals. Experience supporting organisations through periods of income growth or scale-up is highly desirable. International development experience is strongly preferred.

• Sector-Relevant Knowledge
  Strong understanding of fundraising dynamics and donor priorities within one or more of Equal Aqua’s core thematic areas, including:
  • WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene)
  • Climate and environmental sustainability
  • Menstrual health and gender equality
  • Rural enterprise and livelihoods
  • International development

Familiarity with the funding landscape in these sectors – including trends, key funders and partnership models – would be a significant advantage.

• Network & Influence
  An established professional network that can be activated in support of Equal Aqua’s growth ambitions, with the credibility and confidence to engage senior decision-makers and prospective funders.

• Strategic & Commercial Acumen
  The ability to think entrepreneurially about income generation, identify new revenue opportunities, and contribute to building a diversified and resilient funding portfolio.

WELCOME
The Army Cadet Charitable Trust UK (ACCT UK) is a 96-year-old national youth charity dedicated to improving the life chances of young people and is the official charity supporting the national youth movement known as the Army Cadet Force (ACF). We help disadvantaged young people access the opportunities and benefits available in the Army Cadet programme and, through doing so, enable them to develop and achieve their own potential. We provide grants both to individual cadets and cadet counties so that they can train, go on camps, and learn valuable new skills that will benefit them well into their adult lives. We also support the adult volunteers who deliver the training and whose support is vital to the work of the Army Cadets.
We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity. It is important for us to be representative of the community we serve, and this starts with the diversity of our board members. We ensure that all of our trustees are valued equally and able to contribute on an equal footing, regardless of their background or identity.

ABOUT THE ROLE
The Finance specialist trustee will be an important member of ACCT UK’s Board. You would be part of our team of trustees overseeing the strategic direction of ACCT UK to ensure that it achieves its charitable objects with the particular role of monitoring its financial management. Our charity is financially secure and stable, nevertheless we are looking for an additional trustee with finance experience to work in partnership with the charity’s Treasurer (Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee) in monitoring the work of the Charity’s finance team, thus providing fellow board trustees with financial insight and reassurance. We would say it, wouldn’t we (!), but we think you would really enjoy being a trustee and also find it hugely satisfying and rewarding. A fuller description of the role is at Annex A.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
We are seeking a volunteer with a strong professional track record in finance or accountancy, who can provide senior level oversight on our Finance and General Purposes Committee. You will have an understanding of best practice in financial
reporting, controls and governance. A background in charity finance is not essential but would be advantageous. We are seeking a Trustee with sound judgement, the highest professional standards and integrity and strong communication skills who would enjoy contributing to the overall governance of the charity. This role would suit someone with a finance background looking for their first trustee position or who has been a Treasurer for a smaller charity and is not looking for a larger Treasurer role at this time.

TENURE
Once elected as a trustee, you will be asked to serve for a three-year term, following which by mutual agreement you could be elected for a further three-year term.
On election you will have a probationary period of 3 to 4 months depending on your joining date and dates of board meetings and committee group meetings. In the probationary period you should attend one board meeting and at least two committee meetings as a trustee. This will give you an insight into the work done by trustees and the commitment required to be a trustee and will allow both the board and you to assess whether this role is suitable for you. You will have full trustee voting rights during the probationary period.