Senior donor relations manager volunteer roles in Birmingham

Could your fundraising expertise help save lives?

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) is looking for a Trustee with senior fundraising, supporter engagement and income generation experience to join our Board.

This voluntary role is an opportunity to use your expertise to help shape the future of a life-saving charity. As a Trustee, you'll provide strategic oversight, constructive challenge and specialist governance, helping to ensure we can continue delivering critical care to people across the North East, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and the Isle of Man.

You won't be involved in delivering fundraising activity day to day. Instead, you'll work alongside fellow Trustees to scrutinise strategy, monitor performance, oversee risk and ensure our fundraising remains ethical, effective and aligned with our mission.

We're particularly interested in hearing from people with senior experience in fundraising, development, external engagement or income generation within the charity, social enterprise, public benefit or purpose-led sectors.

You will bring experience in:

· Fundraising strategy and income diversification

· Donor stewardship, supporter journeys and campaign planning

· Fundraising governance, compliance and ethical practice

· Board-level thinking, constructive challenge and sound judgement

· Building relationships and acting as an ambassador for a mission-led organisation

You will also share our mission, values, equity, diversity and inclusion, and Nolan’s seven principles of public life.

Time commitment

The Board meets at least four times a year, plus a strategy day. Trustees are encouraged to sit on two Board Committees, with additional contact usually taking place by email, telephone or Microsoft Teams.

Interested?

If you are passionate about using your fundraising expertise to make a meaningful difference, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Closing date for applications: 28th August 2026

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to get involved in an impactful charity making a tangible difference to the lives of refugees here in the UK.

Our work is simple – we refurbish unwanted bikes and donate them to refugees and people seeking asylum, many living on less than £7 a day, giving them freedom and independence whilst they rebuild their lives.

A bike makes a huge difference – not only is it a practical tool for tackling poverty, those who receive bikes from us report they are more connected in their community, happier and healthier as a result:

• 91% of people use their bikes weekly for essential journeys

• 84% of people are better able to access legal and other vital support services 

• 93% report better physical and/or mental health

Alongside our core Bike Donations Programme, we support refugee women to learn to cycle through our Pedal Power Programme; provide ongoing support with bike maintenance through our Repair or Replace Programme; and offer the opportunity for connection and friendship through our volunteer-matching Bike Buddy Programme.

“The Bike Project has given me so much more than just a bicycle — it has given me confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging. Receiving a bike as a gift allowed me to feel free in society, explore my community, and even join a cycling group where I’ve met wonderful people. 

Thank you again for everything you do. Your work changes lives, including mine.”  
Ladan, Bike Recipient 

About You and the Role  

You don’t need to have experience of being on a Board. In fact, the role would be ideal for someone considering taking on their first role as a trustee. We will work with you to understand your duties as a trustee and support you.

You will, however, have experience of one of more of priority areas we are looking for:

• Personal experience of our programmes and/or the UK asylum system
• Press and PR
• Charity governance
• Public, philanthropy and/or high-net worth giving
• Sector experience and/or contacts relevant to the work of The Bike Project

You will be joining a highly committed group of trustees who give their time, expertise and contacts to support the charity. Our trustees are critical in enabling us to thrive and this role plays a key role in supporting the wider board to fulfil its financial responsibilities.

You will work together with the wider staff team to set our strategic direction and improve our work with refugees. At the heart of everything we do is the real and immediate impact a bike makes to the lives of those who have been through so much. You will be part of us achieving that.

The time commitment for a trustee generally totals approximately 8 hours per month. Please see the role description for further details. 

Application Process  

Deadline for Applications: Friday 28 August 2026

Interviews: Late September – Early October 2026.

Appointment: October 2026 

We particularly encourage applications from people with personal experience of the asylum process, women, people of colour / people of the global majority, and people with disabilities.  

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact hradmin [at] thebikeproject [dot] co [dot] uk

We are looking for a fundraising expert to join our external Finance Committee. In particular we’re looking for someone who can interrogate plans and performance, with experience of the marketplace and the need for fundraising investment. The ideal candidate will have a background in fundraising and developing income generation strategies but also a passion for innovation, insight and above all ‘best in class’ supporter care.

The Finance Committee is responsible for monitoring the financial performance of the full portfolio for the organisation. It plays a key role in protecting the financial health and sustainability of Samaritans and our vision that fewer people die by suicide. The Committee is a formal advisory committee of the Board of Trustees and reports on its work, conclusions and recommendations to the Board on a regular basis.

We are seeking applicants who will provide independent and effective advice to help the committee fulfil its responsibilities in:

• Monitoring and reviewing budgets, accounts and financial performance and making recommendations in response to identified areas of risk;
• Monitoring and reviewing fundraising plans, investments and ongoing performance and making recommendations;
• Assessing the investment and reserves policies for the organisation and reviewing performance.

Applicants for this role should have experience of senior fundraising roles.

About the role

Term: Committee members are usually appointed for a period of three years, with the possibility of a second three-year term.

Location: The role is home-based and may involve some travel within the UK. As a minimum, attendance is required at four committee meetings, either in person or online.

Remuneration: The role is voluntary.

Application process: Applicants are to return a copy of your CV with a completed application form by Monday 17 August containing a personal statement how you meet the experience, knowledge and skills set out in the role description. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interviewonline w/c 24 or 31 August.

About Samaritans

Our vision is that fewer people die by suicide.  Samaritans is the charity that prevents suicide through the power of human connection. We provide compassionate listening services to people in emotional crisis, 24/7. We combine evidence with lived experience to influence decision makers to tackle the underlying causes of suicide. We change attitudes and encourage people struggling with suicidal thoughts to seek support.

Together we can prevent suicide today. Because tomorrow’s too late.