Volunteer Fundraising & Grants Adviser - Volunteer

Help a growing CIC supporting young people and families build a sustainable funding pipeline

We’re seeking an experienced fundraising professional to identify suitable funders, strengthen grant applications and help shape our longer-term funding strategy.

What difference will you make?

• Your expertise will help us build a more strategic and sustainable approach to funding.
• As an early-stage CIC, accessing the right funding can allow us to test programmes, gather evidence, strengthen partnerships and increase the number of young people and families we are able to support.
• Just as importantly, your input will help us avoid spending valuable time pursuing funding that is not a strong match for our work.
• By helping us identify appropriate funders, strengthen our applications and build a longer-term pipeline, you will increase our ability to plan ahead rather than relying on one funding opportunity at a time.
• Your contribution will also help us become more funding-ready by strengthening how we communicate our outcomes, impact and case for support.
• Ultimately, stronger fundraising systems will help us build a sustainable organisation capable of developing and delivering more programmes for young people, families and communities.

What are we looking for?

• We are looking for an experienced fundraising professional who can combine strong grant-writing skills with a strategic understanding of how to identify and prioritise the right funding opportunities.
• The most important requirement is at least three years’ professional experience in fundraising, grant fundraising, bid writing, trusts and foundations or a closely related area.
• We would particularly value experience in:
  • Researching trusts, foundations and grant programmes
  • Assessing funder eligibility and fit
  • Writing and reviewing strong grant applications
  • Developing fundraising strategies and funding pipelines
  • Creating compelling cases for support
  • Identifying measurable outcomes and impact evidence
  • Supporting project budgets and funding proposals
  • Working with charities, CICs, social enterprises or community organisations
• Experience in youth, education, family support or community-based organisations would be particularly valuable, although it is not essential.
• We are especially interested in someone who takes a strategic approach to fundraising. We want to understand which opportunities are genuinely worth pursuing and why, rather than submitting large numbers of applications without a clear fit.
• Our ideal volunteer will be organised, proactive and able to communicate their recommendations clearly. They should be comfortable working with an early-stage organisation and helping us strengthen our funding readiness as we grow.
• We would also value someone who can challenge our thinking when necessary and help us present our programmes, outcomes and impact in ways that resonate with funders.