Institutional funding manager volunteer roles in Bermondsey, greater london

We are looking for our next Chair of Trustees – someone who will work closely with our Executive Team and Board to guide the organisation through what is both a challenging and genuinely exciting time. The funding environment is tough. The political context is difficult. And yet the need for what we do has never been greater.

This is an unpaid voluntary role. Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our Volunteer Expenses Policy.

The successful candidate will lead a vibrant, well-established, national charity as it navigates the next chapter of its story.

Main tasks

• Developing and setting our future strategy, alongside the Executive Team and other Trustees
• Helping shape and deliver our future, identifying opportunities in an evolving landscape
• Leading the Board of Trustees, including regular 1:1s and providing space for reflection
• Acting as a 'critical friend' to our Executive Team, as well as formal line management to the CEO (and COO in their absence)
• Acting as an ambassador for the charity – raising awareness of what we do and engaging potential supporters and other key stakeholders
• Responsibility, along with the other trustees, for the governance of the charity
• Contributing to the ongoing strategy of the charity, in line with our charitable objectives
• Participating in board meetings and sub-committees in an inclusive and thoughtful way

Please download our Chair Application Pack for more information.

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.

About Mudland

Mudland operates at the intersection of climate, culture, and global systems.
We work with organisations navigating complex regions and emerging markets, helping them build credible presence through narrative, partnerships, and local intelligence.
Our current focus includes:

• Climate and energy transition (including hydrogen and future fuels)
• Global South markets (India, Himalayan region, beyond)
• Institutional partnerships and strategic positioning

We are now building the foundation to evolve into a high-value strategic advisory and partnerships studio.

Why this role exists

We are entering a phase where Mudland is actively building real partnerships and revenue pathways.
This role is not about content or social media.

It is about:

building a pipeline of serious organisations and opening real conversations

What you will do

1. Build a target pipeline

• Identify and map 50–100 relevant organisations, including:
  • Energy companies (hydrogen, renewables)
  • Climate funds and investors
  • Foundations and international organisations
• Find key decision-makers (partnerships, strategy, innovation roles)

2. Support outreach and activation

• Draft and send targeted outreach messages (email / LinkedIn)
• Track responses and manage follow-ups
• Help convert interest into scheduled conversations

3. Structure opportunities

• Help prepare briefs, proposals, and decks
• Translate ongoing conversations into clear partnership opportunities
• Support positioning Mudland’s offer in a structured way

4. Build internal systems

• Set up and maintain a simple CRM / tracking system
• Organise contacts, conversations, and next steps
• Help create a repeatable pipeline process

What we are looking for

• Strong communication skills (clear, concise, confident)
• Comfortable with outreach and professional communication
• Ability to research and structure information
• Interest in climate, energy, or global development
• Self-driven and reliable (this matters more than experience)

Bonus if you have:

• Background in consulting, startups, or partnerships
• Familiarity with climate or energy sector
• Experience with LinkedIn outreach or CRM tools

What you will gain

• Direct exposure to building a high-level advisory and partnerships pipeline
• Experience working across climate, energy, and international markets
• Close collaboration with the founder (hands-on, not hierarchical)
• Opportunity to transition into a paid role as Mudland grows
• Access to a network across climate, media, and global institutions

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

1-2 months

Join the EAUC board to embed sustainability across post-16 education, equipping over 2 million people to shape a fairer, more sustainable society

This is a unique opportunity to bring your sustainability leadership to a purpose-driven charity at the intersection of sustainability and education.

Position: Trustee and director

Location: Remote within UK and Ireland

Renumeration: Voluntary with reasonable expenses paid

Positions available: Two

Closing date: Monday18 May 2026

EAUC is the leading body for sustainability in the post-16 education sector in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Primarily a membership body, we serve 300 organisations whilst also working to change systems that enable sustainability action. ​We’re both a charity and a company limited by guarantee and are always not-for-profit. ​You can find out more about our vision and values on our website.

Who we’re looking for

The EAUC board has twelve volunteer trustees. Two vacancies will arise following the AGM this year due to board members reaching their maximum tenure.

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. We seek people who are committed to our mission, purpose and values, and who bring one or more of the following:

· insights into the further education or skills sectors

· cross sector organisational leadership insight

· experience in sustainability academic and/or research

We particularly encourage applications from people who are currently underrepresented on our board with regard to age, ethnicity and disability.

Full details of time commitment, responsibilities and support are included in the trustee information pack alongside more information about our work and how to apply at our website. Please consider joining us or share this opportunity with someone who could help shape the future of sustainable education.