At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising efforts and develop strategies to secure diverse income streams.
- Company: Join The Guardian Foundation, promoting access to journalism for underrepresented voices.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the media landscape while supporting aspiring journalists.
- Qualifications: Proven fundraising experience and strong relationship management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.
Contract type: Part-time (28 hours per week), 9 month fixed-term until March 2027.
Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 per annum (pro rata £44,000 - £48,000).
Hybrid working: 2 days per week at Kings Place, London, 2 days remote or home working.
Join our team at The Guardian Foundation. The organisation promotes access to liberal journalism and supports aspiring journalists from underrepresented backgrounds. This is an exciting time as we prepare to launch a new five‑year strategy in Spring 2027.
About the Role
- Drive growth across a diverse portfolio of income streams, including trusts and foundations, statutory funding, individual giving and earned income, setting and delivering strategy and annual work plans to meet annual and multi‑year fundraising goals.
- Launch new fundraising activities appropriate to the capacity, vision and values of Guardian Foundation.
- Manage income and expenditure budgets and provide reports to the Executive Director and Board.
- Deliver the Foundation’s strategy by leading cross‑organisational projects and contributing to the charity’s long‑term priorities and goals.
- Optimise fundraising processes, systems and CRM data to maintain accurate donor records, support budgeting and forecasting, and track actions to keep the pipeline on track.
- Produce timely high‑quality written communications for donors and funders, including proposals, grant applications, reports and impact statements.
- Support the Executive Director on delivering the new business development strategy and cultivation plans for priority prospects in line with GF’s income generation strategy.
- Lead and support high‑level pitches and negotiations with prospective donors, positioning GF as a credible and strategic partner.
- Build a dynamic prospect pipeline across priority audiences using diverse outreach and networking tactics including desk research and event attendance.
- Represent the Foundation externally with professionalism, credibility and enthusiasm.
About You
- Fundraising track record: significant experience in securing and stewarding high‑value gifts from grant‑making trusts and foundations, major donors and/or corporate partners.
- Strategic planning: proven ability to develop and execute multi‑year fundraising strategies that consistently meet or exceed income targets.
- Relationship management: proven ability to personally lead and manage donor relationships across the full fundraising cycle: from lead generation, through prospect qualification, engagement, asking and stewardship.
- Pipeline management: experience of managing a caseload/pipeline of donors, working with senior managing interactions to keep relationships moving forward and achieving KPIs and financial target.
- Prospect research: excellent research and qualification skills, with the ability to prioritise and proactively take forward high‑value opportunities.
- Persuasive written communication: highly developed written skills, with the ability to craft compelling pitches, proposals, and impact reports for diverse audiences.
- Personal credibility and emotional intelligence: excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and influence senior stakeholders, board members, and high‑net‑worth individuals.
- Project leadership: experience of leading and delivering projects, balancing multiple priorities and deadlines and delivering desired outcomes.
Benefits
- Culture & Wellbeing: inclusive employee forums, access to daily newsroom briefings, free yoga and pilates, corporate gym membership discount, cycle‑to‑work scheme.
- Learning & Development: a wide range of professional development opportunities, with support for vocational courses and qualifications.
- Workplace & Flexibility: modern office space at Kings Place with excellent facilities and hybrid working.
- Additional Benefits: 30 days annual leave plus 5 days purchase scheme, generous pension (5% employee / 8–12% employer), life cover, income protection, enhanced family leave and specialist support policies including IVF, menopause, baby loss, and trans equality.
Inclusion and Equality
All roles at the Guardian Foundation are open for everybody to apply. We value and respect differences and actively encourage applications from candidates underrepresented within the media and not‑for‑profit sectors, especially Black, Asian, minority ethnic and disability communities.
Closing date: Friday 3rd July.
Guardian Foundation - Head of Fundraising in London employer: GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA
The Guardian Foundation is an exceptional employer that champions access to liberal journalism while fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, the Foundation offers generous benefits including 30 days of annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a modern hybrid working model at Kings Place, London. Join us in making a meaningful impact as we embark on an exciting new strategy to support aspiring journalists from underrepresented backgrounds.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Guardian Foundation - Head of Fundraising in London
✨Leverage Local Networks
In fundraising, building relationships is key! Attend local charity events, workshops, or networking nights. It’s a great way to meet like-minded folks and discover potential opportunities at organisations like GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA. Don’t be shy—chat with the organisers and share your interest in part-time roles!
✨Volunteer for Experience
Consider volunteering at non-profits or fundraising events even if it’s on a casual basis. This gets you hands-on experience and helps you build a solid reputation in the fundraising community, which could lead to part-time gigs. Plus, you might find that many organisations prefer hiring from within their volunteer pool!
✨Connect on Social Media
Join fundraising groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. We often see part-time gigs pop up in these communities. Engage with posts, share your own insights, and don’t be afraid to ask for leads on opportunities at places like GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA!
✨Showcase Your Passion
When reaching out to organisations like GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA, make sure your passion for fundraising shines through. Whether that’s through a personal project, a blog, or even social media—having something that highlights your commitment can set you apart from the crowd. Let's make sure they see your enthusiasm when you apply!
We think you need these skills to ace Guardian Foundation - Head of Fundraising in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Fundraising Skills:When applying for a part-time role in fundraising development at GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA, make sure to highlight any previous experience you've had in fundraising initiatives. Include specific projects, the strategies you implemented, and the impact they had — numbers matter! We love seeing what you've achieved.
Passion Matters!:In your cover letter, let your passion for the cause shine through. Talk about what drives you to work in fundraising and any personal connections you have to the mission of GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA. This is your chance to connect on a human level, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your CV to Fundraising:When crafting your CV, focus on including relevant skills such as communication, relationship-building, and project management. For a part-time position, it’s crucial to demonstrate that you can hit the ground running without needing too much guidance.
Include a Portfolio of Your Work:If you’ve worked on specific campaigns or created fundraising materials, consider attaching samples or a link to a digital portfolio. This gives us tangible evidence of your work and creativity, helping you stand out from the crowd at GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA.
How to prepare for a job interview at GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA
✨Showcase Your Passion for Causes
In the fundraising development field, it’s all about showing you genuinely care about the mission. During the interview, be ready to share personal experiences or stories that illustrate your passion for the causes you want to support. This will not only demonstrate your commitment but also help you connect with the interviewers at GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in fundraising contexts. They might ask how you would handle a donor who is hesitant to contribute or how to turn a potential sponsor into a commitment. Practising these types of scenarios can make you feel more confident and prepared!
✨Flexibility Matters in Part-Time Roles
Since this is a part-time position, be prepared to discuss your availability and how you can work flexibly with the team at GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA. They may be interested in how you manage your time and balance commitments, so highlight your organisational skills and any strategies you use to stay on track.
✨Share Your Past Success Stories
Bring along examples of past fundraising campaigns or events you’ve been involved in—this could be anything from a successful bake sale to a well-executed charity event. If you have any metrics or achievements to share, like money raised or increased awareness, include those as well. It shows your capability in the field!
