You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025.
Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.
Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising.
This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
Key duties
Major Donor Fundraising
• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+
• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.
• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships
• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.
• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development. Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.
• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.
• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.
• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.
• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.
• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.
• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.
• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.
• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.
• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.
• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.
• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.
• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity
• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events
Other duties
• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.
• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.
• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.
• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.
• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Our mission is to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Are you a visionary community leader with a passion for people, place and planet?
Groundwork Greater Manchester is looking for a values-driven, strategic leader to head up its Communities and Neighbourhoods directorate. You'll join a passionate, committed team delivering bold initiatives in community development, climate action and nature recovery.
As Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods, you'll be at the heart of driving impact, innovation and inclusive, sustainable growth. This is a special opportunity to join a high-performing Executive Team working for a greener, fairer and stronger Greater Manchester. It's a team that looks out for each other and cares deeply about the vibrant, diverse communities it serves.
Salary: £48,218-£58,350
Contract: Permanent, 36.67 hours FTE (flexible, compressed and reduced hours considered)
Location: Hybrid - based from either Ashton-under-Lyne or Trafford, with flexibility to work from home and travel across Greater Manchester as needed
Benefits: 25 days holiday (rising to 31 with length of service) and 4% employer pension contribution
About the role
It's a pivotal leadership opportunity shaping strategy, service innovation and driving income growth across a £2.5m+ directorate. As part of the senior team, you'll also play a vital role in cross-organisational leadership - supporting workforce development, embedding ED&I, and stepping in for the Executive Director when needed.
You'll lead an ambitious, passionate team delivering services that drive real and measurable impact across:
Community and youth engagement - including climate action, development and outreach
Energy & homes - tackling fuel poverty and improving sustainability
Urban nature - empowering communities to protect green spaces and biodiversity
About you
You're a natural communicator and connector, someone who thrives on forging relationships and sees the 'bigger picture'. With a whole-systems mindset, you bring nuance, insight and the ability to chart a clear path through complexity.
We're looking for a strategic leader with:
* In-depth knowledge of relevant local, GM and national policy agendas that feed into funding streams
* Strong track-record building partnerships across complex systems that deliver on purpose and income
* Understanding of community-led approaches and how they connect with climate and environment
* Collaborative, coaching style that empowers people to thrive
* Real passion for place-based working and amplifying community voice
Highly desirable: It would also be a real advantage if you've worked in the voluntary, public or environmental sectors - giving you the confidence to navigate the complex stakeholder landscape GGM operates in.
In return, you'll be part of an organisation that values, supports and invests in its people.
Interested and ticking the boxes? Then we'd love to hear from you.
To apply
Please send your CV or profile to Amelia Lee at Charity People as the first step. If your experience aligns, we'll be in touch with details on how to apply.
Deadline: 9am on Wednesday 24th September
Interviews: Will be confirmed soon - likely to be mid-late October.
Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with
