Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising efforts, build relationships with major donors, and manage grant applications.
- Company: Brightside, a mission-driven organisation focused on impactful fundraising.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to creating positive change in the community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by securing funds for meaningful projects and initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in fundraising, relationship management, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Senior Fundraising Manager is responsible for delivering Brightside’s fundraising activity with a core focus on grants from trusts and foundations, and major donors. Reporting to and working closely with the CEO, the postholder will forge new relationships with major donors and manage our grant applications to support Brightside to achieve its fundraising targets. The postholder will deliver high quality stewardship across our major donor relationships and act as the key point of contact for all grant activity, working closely with the delivery teams to support funder relationship management and reporting.
The postholder will work closely with colleagues across the organisation to develop clear cases for support for potential funding projects, as well as managing our approach to individual giving and increasing regular donations. The role will involve working closely with the CEO and the trustees, who will provide warm introductions to their networks of potential major donors and support in their stewardship.
Responsible for:
- Trusts and foundations: Identify and research trusts and foundations that would support our organisational priorities and funding needs. Develop high quality, compelling grant applications and cases for support. Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of funding opportunities. Lead funder relationship management and deliver high-quality stewardship. Lead on grant reporting, including monitoring, accountability and opportunities for reapplication. Working closely with technology and delivery teams to build evidence-based cases for support for key projects. Ensure clear and effective handover of successful grants to delivery teams, including reporting requirements and timelines. Attending external events and meetings to support our fundraising strategy and learning.
- Major donors: Identify and research potential major donors whose interests and capacity align with our mission. Cultivate new donor relationships through targeted outreach, contact mapping, networking and events. Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of potential major donors. Develop tailored engagement and stewardship plans approaches for each donor. Create meaningful opportunities for donors to share insight, experience or sector knowledge and ensure this expertise is valued and acknowledged. Lead major gift conversations and negotiations, including face-to-face meetings. Provide high quality, personalised stewardship to major donors. Identify opportunities to grow or repeat giving through deeper donor engagement. Deliver exceptional stewardship to major donors.
- Individual giving: Maintaining regular contact with donors and potential donors (including our volunteers and alumni) to generate donations. Maintaining and monitoring our individual giving platforms. Ensure all donations and supporter interactions are accurately recorded and that donors receive timely acknowledgements.
Application instructions: Submit your CV and one-page cover letter via CharityJob. Your cover letter should be no more than 1-2 pages and must explain how you meet the essential criteria for the role, with a focus on the items tested in application and clear examples. You must answer the screening question on the application page. Applications without a cover letter or screening question will not be considered.
Applications due: 23:30 Wednesday 27 May. First round interviews (online): 4/5 June 2026. Final interviews (online or in person): 10/11 June 2026.
Senior Fundraising Manager employer: Brightside
Contact Detail:
Brightside Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Fundraising Manager
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and start networking! Attend events, connect with people on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential major donors. Remember, it’s all about building relationships that can lead to opportunities.
✨Showcase Your Passion
When you get the chance to meet someone, whether it’s in person or online, let your passion for fundraising shine through. Share your ideas and how you can contribute to Brightside’s mission – enthusiasm is contagious!
✨Follow Up Like a Boss
After meeting someone, always follow up with a thank-you message or an email. It keeps the conversation going and shows you’re genuinely interested in building that relationship. Plus, it’s a great way to remind them of your skills and enthusiasm.
✨Utilise Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for job openings and resources. Applying directly through us not only shows your interest but also gives you a better chance to stand out. We’re here to help you land that dream role!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Fundraising Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure it’s no more than 1-2 pages and clearly explains how you meet the essential criteria. Use specific examples from your experience that align with the role – we want to see your passion and expertise!
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to highlight your relevant experience in fundraising, grant applications, and donor relationships. We’re looking for specifics that show how you can contribute to Brightside’s mission.
Answer the Screening Question Thoughtfully: Take your time with the screening question on the application page. This is your opportunity to showcase your understanding of the role and how you fit into our vision. Be clear and concise, and don’t skip this step – it’s crucial!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s straightforward and ensures your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Brightside
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Brightside’s mission and values. Understand their current fundraising strategies and recent projects. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your genuine interest in the organisation.
✨Showcase Your Successes
Prepare specific examples of your past fundraising successes, especially related to grants and major donors. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easy for the interviewers to see your impact.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t just wait for questions; engage with the interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their current fundraising initiatives or challenges they face. This demonstrates your proactive attitude and helps build rapport.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Craft your cover letter and responses to highlight how your skills align with the essential criteria outlined in the job description. Be specific about how you can contribute to Brightside’s goals, particularly in managing donor relationships and grant applications.