TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS MANAGER in Keele

We are seeking an experienced, strategic and proactive fundraiser to join our growing team of professionals as we embark on a journey of expansion. This is a permanent role within the Income Generation team, responsible for unlocking significant income from trusts and foundations to power the charity’s services future growth. Working across the organisation, you will shape compelling funding opportunities, connect funders to real impact and help build a stronger, more ambitious grants programme.

About Caudwell Children: Established in 2000, Caudwell Children is a national charity which works to transform the lives of disabled children and their families, enabling them to challenge the barriers they face throughout childhood by providing practical and emotional support. The Charity is going through an exciting period of growth having opened a state‑of‑the‑art facility for multidisciplinary therapy programmes for childhood disability and research of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism, within the grounds of Keele University. It provides a state‑of‑the‑art base for the Charity’s therapies and an environment where ground‑breaking research can be undertaken, potentially changing the way some disabilities are treated, affecting millions of people around the world. This is a fantastic and exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and fast moving Charity at a time when it will attract national and international attention. The services of Caudwell Children enrich the lives of our children and families through the delivery of high quality person‑centred care and support services that promote independence and achieve valued outcomes. We seek to create a safe, homely and supportive environment that enhances the lives of children and families with autism and associated conditions.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver a targeted Trusts and Foundations plan, prioritising opportunities aligned to organisational priorities and income potential.
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of prospects, applications, reports and renewals, ensuring a consistent flow of income.
• Research and assess funding opportunities in depth, using insights to target funders with the highest likelihood of success.
• Write and submit high‑quality, compelling applications and proposals tailored to individual funder priorities and requirements.
• Translate complex service delivery outcomes and language into clear and persuasive cases for support.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Trusts and Foundations, treating funders as long‑term partners.
• Lead on funder reporting and stewardship, delivering timely, high‑quality updates that build trust and secure repeat funding.
• Work closely with services and senior colleagues to develop fundable projects, robust budgets and credible impact reporting.
• Manage multiple deadlines and priorities effectively, maintaining high standards across all applications and communications.
• Monitor performance against targets, using insights and learning from outcomes to continuously refine approach.
• Ensure all applications and reports meet funder guidelines with a strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Line‑manage and develop members of the Grants Team, setting clear expectations and maintaining high performance.

Other Duties and Expectations:

• Communicate with children, families and all stakeholders in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture in full compliance with the Equality & Diversity Policy.
• Uphold the principles and practice of customer care and continuous improvement.
• Maintain confidentiality and data protection and work in accordance with General Data Protection Regulations 2018.
• Have an awareness of relevant health and safety regulations and legislation, being responsible for your own health and safety and that of any other whom your acts and omissions may affect.
• Report any concerns of potential abuse of a service user in line with the Safeguarding Policy and procedures.
• Ensure maintenance and security of physical, financial and information resources.
• Demonstrate commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.
• Keep comprehensive and accurate records in relation to your role and in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Attend training as appropriate to the role, applying knowledge gained to the workplace.
• To work effectively and collaboratively as a member of the team, building and maintaining good working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with statutory and non‑statutory bodies.
• Adhere to all Caudwell Children policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate commitment to Caudwell Children’s mission, vision and values.
• On occasion and when necessary work flexible hours to meet the needs of the business.
• Willingness to travel on occasion in order to fulfil the needs of the post.

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria:

• Significant experience securing income from Trusts and Foundations, including five and six figure gifts, both single and multi‑year.
• Proven track record of meeting and exceeding income targets through a strategic, pipeline‑led approach.
• Strong experience of developing compelling, high‑quality cases for support, funding applications and proposals.
• Ability to translate complex services and impact into clear, persuasive cases for support.
• Experience building and managing relationships with funders, securing repeat funding.
• Strong research and prioritisation skills, with the ability to assess opportunities effectively.
• Experience managing a pipeline of prospects, applications and renewals.
• Excellent written and communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Experience working collaboratively across teams.
• Experience of line management.
• Knowledge of fundraising regulation, compliance and data protection.
• A proactive, delivery‑focused approach with the ability to turn ideas into action.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience working within children’s, disability or health‑related charities.
• Knowledge of the UK’s Trusts and Foundations landscape.
• Experience using prospect research tools, e.g. GrantFinder or similar.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT or other CRM systems.
• Experience working in a growing or changing organisation.

Disclosure & Barring Service Checks:

The Charity is committed to safeguarding children and young people and therefore adopts a safer recruitment approach through a robust recruitment and selection process. All posts within the Charity are subject to DBS checks, in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This role is eligible for a basic disclosure check.

Equal Opportunities:

Caudwell Children is a Disability Confident employer committed to offering an interview to all applicants who meet the minimum criteria and declare they have a disability as defined in the Equality Act 2010. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and will not discriminate for any reason against any person because of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex or sexual orientation. We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background and other underrepresented groups.

Location: Hybrid working between home and Head Office in Keele, Staffordshire (3 days per week).

Salary: Circa £36,000 per annum depending on experience with £4,000 performance‑related bonus linked to clear, agreed income and programme milestones.

Hours: Full‑time (37.5 hours per week).