Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist care and support for babies, children and young people who are life limited or life threatened. Supporting over 750 children and nearly 1,000 families annually, Acorns is a vital lifeline for families across the West Midlands and Gloucestershire during unimaginably difficult times.
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Philanthropy is a core pillar of Acorns income strategy, delivering transformational income through Major Donors, high-level Family Trusts and Foundations, alongside their Celebrity Ambassador Programme.
Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, the role will be responsible for securing gifts from high-net-worth-individuals and family foundations. Contributing to a team income target of £1.5m, you will drive the stewardship of existing relationships and cultivation of new prospects, building a robust pipeline of future supporters.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a charity with a clear fundraising strategy, ambitious future appeals and a compelling case for support. Working closely with senior leaders, trustees and ambassadors, the successful candidate will help inspire transformational investment in Acorns’ work while representing the organisation with professionalism, warmth and credibility.
Working arrangements: Hybrid, 2 days per week at preferred location (Birmingham, Worcester or Walsall)
As Philanthropy Manager, you will:
- Report to the Head of Philanthropy and manage a portfolio of existing (4- to 6-figure) and prospective major donors and family foundations, taking time to understand their motivations, interests and capacity to give
- Support a team major giving income target of c.£1.5m through securing five- and six-figure donations and multi-year commitments
- Shape and drive new business activity to secure new high-value prospects and strengthen the philanthropy pipeline
- Leverage networks across trustees, senior leadership and ambassadors
- Develop compelling, high-quality proposals, cases for support and tailored communications that clearly articulate Acorns’ impact and funding priorities
- Deliver an exceptional donor experience and stewardship journey, ensuring supporters feel valued, informed and inspired
- Feed into pipelines, budgets and forecasts, providing regular reporting on activity, performance against targets and KPIs
- Work collaboratively across Fundraising and the wider organisation to maximise philanthropic opportunities and supporter engagement
Essential skills and experience:
- Major donor fundraising experience is necessary to be considered for this role, with a track record of managing the full donor journey from research and identification through cultivation, solicitation and long-term stewardship
- Track record of personally securing 5-figure gifts, including some from self-generated prospects and new donor relationships
- Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to establish credibility and rapport with HNWIs and senior internal and external stakeholders
- Experience of developing and managing donor pipelines and maintaining accurate prospect plans
- Experience of writing compelling xiskglj funding proposals and impact reports
- Ability to travel independently across the Acorns region
- A proactive, self-motivated and organised approach, with the confidence to represent Acorns externally and engage effectively with senior stakeholders
Desirable, but not essential:
- Experience of securing six-figure gifts from major donors and/or family foundations through relationship-led fundraising rather than application-led approaches
- Strong track record of identifying, cultivating and converting prospective donors, with experience building and developing major donor pipelines
- Experience of working with, managing or developing celebrity ambassador relationships and engagement programmes
Employee benefits include:
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- 5 days holiday buyback scheme
- 5% employer pension contribution
- Life assurance scheme (2 x annual salary)
- Retail discounts (including the Blue Light card)
- Discounted gym membership
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Philanthropy Manager
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Acorns Children's Hospice.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Acorns Children's Hospice.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Acorns Children's Hospice.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Acorns Children's Hospice. Apply directly through us to stand out!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Acorns Children's Hospice. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Philanthropy Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Acorns Children's Hospice
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Acorns Children's Hospice. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
