Trusts and Foundations Manager

Trusts and Foundations Manager

Full-Time 41000 - 62000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Independent Age

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead fundraising efforts to secure six and seven-figure funding for older people in need.
  • Company: Independent Age, a charity dedicated to supporting older individuals facing financial hardship.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working culture, generous leave, and pension contributions.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and community impact.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference by securing vital funds for those in need while growing your career.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in trusts and foundations fundraising with strong relationship-building skills.

The predicted salary is between 41000 - 62000 £ per year.

Location: Hybrid working in London (minimum 4 days per month in the office) or Homebased

Salary: £41,607 to £46,227per annum

Permanent / Full Time (option of part-time, minimum 28 hours)

ClosingDate: Sunday 23 August 2026

Reference: X255-26

Independent Age is the national charity focused on ending financial hardship in later life. We want every older person to be able to afford to live well.

We stand with older people in financial hardship, offering urgent help today and shaping a fairer, more secure tomorrow. Our Helpline and expert advisers offer free, practical support to older people without enough money to live on. Through our grants programme, we support hundreds of local organisations working with older people across the UK. And we use the knowledge and insight gained from our services and partnerships to highlight the issues experienced by older people in poverty and campaign for change.

We would love to find individuals from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.

Responsibilities and Person Specification:

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the delivery and ongoing evolution of our ambitious Trusts and Foundations fundraising strategy, securing transformational five- and six-figure grants that will drive our long-term impact and growth.

We're looking for an exceptional relationship-builder and communicator with a proven track record of securing five- and six-figure grants from Trusts and Foundations. You'll be confident translating complex data into compelling funding propositions and using your outstanding written, verbal and presentation skills to inspire support for our mission.

For full details on the role and requirements, please review the job description and person specification. If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all of the criteria in the person specification but you do meet most of them and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply anyway.

This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, which you can choose to work over five days or a 9-day fortnight. We also are open to this role being worked on a part-time basis on a minimum of 28 hours per week.

What it’s like to work at Independent Age:

We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included.

We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits.

We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. Flexible working hours and hybrid working is standard for all (those contracted to work in the office are required to attend the office a minimum of 4 days per month). But if you need a different form of flexibility, we are always happy to talk flexible working.

With an employee engagement score of 98%, colleagues say Independent Age is a great place to work. You can find out more about what it’s like to work for ushere .

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you require any specific arrangements or adjustments to enable you to fully participate in the recruitment process, such as having the job description in a larger text format or to apply in an alternative format, please get in touch with us via the email address on the ‘Contact Us’ page on our jobs site.

To support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion our hiring managers use anonymous shortlisting. Please don’t include your name, photo, or any information that could indicate your gender or age in your CV and supporting statement, and don’t include your name in the title of any documents that you upload. However, please do include all dates of employment.

Independent Age is committed to safeguarding and follows Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding those we work with. We therefore ask that you supply your full work history with explanations for any gaps in the application documents you submit and, if offered the post, we will require a minimum of two employment references including your current or most recent employer. ABasic DBS check will be carried out for the successful candidate.

Closing Date: Sunday, 23 August 11:59pm

Interview Dates: First-round interviews will take place on Tuesday, 1 September (remote); second-round interviews will take place on the afternoon of Monday, 7 September (in-person in our London office)

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Trusts and Foundations Manager employer: Independent Age

Independent Age is an exceptional employer, offering a values-driven work culture that prioritises the well-being of older people. With flexible working arrangements and a commitment to employee development, you will find ample opportunities to grow your skills while making a meaningful impact in the community. Join us in London, where your contributions will be valued and rewarded in a supportive environment.

Independent Age

Contact Details:

Independent Age Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Trusts and Foundations Manager

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the charity sector, especially those involved with trusts and foundations. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights or even referrals that could help you land that role.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Independent Age thoroughly. Understand their mission and current projects, so you can discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about their cause.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your fundraising successes and strategies clearly. Use specific examples of how you've secured six-figure gifts and built strong relationships with funders to demonstrate your expertise.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and reinforces your commitment to making a difference at Independent Age.

We think you need these skills to ace Trusts and Foundations Manager

Trusts and Foundations Fundraising
Relationship Building
Donor Stewardship
Strategic Thinking
Portfolio Management
Communication Skills
Fundraising Strategy Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in trusts and foundations fundraising. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your successes!

Showcase Your Relationship Skills:Since this role is all about building and maintaining relationships, we recommend you include examples of how you've successfully engaged with funders in the past. Let us know how you’ve nurtured those connections!

Be Strategic:We’re looking for someone who can think strategically about funding opportunities. In your application, share your approach to identifying new prospects and how you’ve developed innovative funding models in previous roles.

Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we appreciate professionalism, we also love a bit of personality! Make sure your application reflects who you are, as well as your passion for supporting older people in financial hardship. Apply through our website and let’s get to know you better!

How to prepare for a job interview at Independent Age

Know Your Numbers

Before the interview, brush up on your fundraising achievements. Be ready to discuss specific figures, like the six and seven-figure gifts you've secured. This will show your potential employer that you have the experience they’re looking for.

Research the Organisation

Dive deep into Independent Age’s mission and current projects. Understanding their work with older people in financial hardship will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate your genuine interest in their cause.

Showcase Your Relationship Skills

Prepare examples of how you've built and maintained relationships with funders. Highlight your donor stewardship strategies and how you've successfully engaged stakeholders in the past. This is crucial for a role focused on relationship-led fundraising.

Think Creatively About Funding

Be ready to discuss innovative funding models and co-funding opportunities. Show that you can think outside the box and are proactive in identifying new funding avenues. This will align with their goal of expanding reach and impact.