Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising efforts to support young people's mental health and wellbeing.
- Company: Isle of Wight Youth Trust, a leading charity dedicated to youth support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, 26 days leave, and training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives while developing your fundraising skills.
- Qualifications: Proven fundraising experience and strong relationship-building skills required.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to youth wellbeing on the beautiful Isle of Wight.
The predicted salary is between 38655 - 40380 £ per year.
Location: Isle of Wight Youth Trust, Newport, Isle of Wight
Hours: 30 hours per week (0.8 FTE)
Salary: £38,655 – £40,380
Contract: Fixed Term Contract initially until 31 March 2027
Applications close: 12pm on Tuesday 28th April 2026
Interview date: Thursday 7th May 2026
Are you an experienced fundraiser ready to make a real difference to young people’s lives? The Isle of Wight Youth Trust is looking for a talented and motivated Fundraising Lead to help shape our financial future at an exciting moment in our charity’s development. Following a period of significant growth and with a new organisational strategy on the horizon, we are strengthening our fundraising function to expand our reach and long-term sustainability.
In this newly developed role, you will take strategic ownership of our income generation across a range of fundraising streams, combining high-level planning with hands-on delivery to build a sustainable and diverse funding base.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver a fundraising strategy and annual workplan across key income streams including community fundraising, corporate partnerships, digital fundraising, major donors, regular giving and legacy giving.
- Set, monitor and deliver against ambitious but realistic income targets, producing accurate financial reports, income forecasts and performance updates for senior leadership and trustees.
- Build and nurture a strong, diverse supporter base, ensuring excellent donor care, meaningful stewardship and compelling cases for support.
- Research and secure new fundraising opportunities, developing relationships with corporate partners, community groups and individual donors.
- Lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of fundraising campaigns, activities and appeals.
- Deliver supporter-focused communications including impact updates, stewardship journeys and fundraising campaign assets.
- Oversee fundraising-related digital content and manage relevant press and PR activity.
- Where appropriate, co-create fundraising messages with young people to ensure youth voice is at the heart of our work.
- Maintain accurate supporter records within our CRM (Beacon) and ensure full compliance with GDPR and fundraising regulation.
- Use data insight to monitor trends, risks and opportunities, adapting plans to maximise performance.
About You
We are looking for someone who has / is:
- A proven track record of delivering fundraising activity and meeting income targets, with at least two years’ relevant experience.
- Experience across at least two fundraising streams, such as community fundraising, corporate partnerships, digital fundraising or individual giving.
- Confident in planning, forecasting and reporting on income performance, with strong numerical and analytical skills.
- A skilled relationship builder, able to engage and inspire supporters, partners and stakeholders.
- Experienced in using CRM systems and data to inform decision-making (experience of Beacon desirable).
- An excellent communicator – both written and verbal – with the ability to craft compelling fundraising propositions and tailored communications.
- Strategic in their thinking but equally comfortable with hands-on operational delivery.
- Highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Creative, proactive and solutions-focused.
- Aligned with the values and mission of the Isle of Wight Youth Trust.
Experience of working in a youth-focused or mental health charity, an understanding of the local Isle of Wight funding landscape, and a professional fundraising qualification (e.g. CIoF) are all desirable but not essential.
About Us and Why Join Us
The Isle of Wight Youth Trust is the Island’s leading charity dedicated to the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. For over 40 years, we have provided free, confidential support to young people aged 5 to 25, offering counselling, mental health services, and a wide range of early intervention and prevention programmes. We are proud to be deeply rooted in the Island community, working in schools, community settings, and our dedicated Newport hub, and we are driven by a genuine belief that every young person deserves to thrive.
Joining the IOWYT means becoming part of a passionate, values-led team where the work you do every day makes a tangible difference to young lives. In addition to the satisfaction of working for a charity that genuinely changes young lives, we offer a competitive package of rewards and benefits, including:
- People’s Pension scheme
- Sovereign Healthcare Plan
- 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure
- A dedicated wellbeing day each year
- Flexible working arrangements
- Employee Assistance Programme
- A variety of discounts
- Training and development opportunities
Additional Information
A Full UK driving licence and DBS enhanced check (performed upon appointment) are requirements of the role. The post-holder will also be expected to work occasional evenings or weekends to support fundraising events and represent the charity externally. Please note this is not a remote position. The post is based at Youth Trust Headquarters, Newport, Isle of Wight. The Youth Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone we support. We encourage applications from people who identify as part of marginalised communities or with experience of living with poor mental health. If you are disabled or become disabled, we encourage you to tell us about your condition so that we can make reasonable adjustments and consider what support may be provided at the interview stage.
Interested? If you are passionate about fundraising and want to use your skills to help young people across the Isle of Wight access the support they need, we would love to hear from you. Please visit our recruitment portal to view the full job description and person specification and apply, submitting both your CV and a full covering letter. It is essential that you outline how you meet the requirements of the post against the person specification in your covering letter. Applications not made via the Youth Trust recruitment portal, or incorrectly submitted, will not be considered. If you have any issues with uploading your documents or would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact recruitment@iowyouthtrust.co.uk.
Fundraising Lead - Isle of Wight Youth Trust in Newport employer: Isle of Wight Youth Trust
Contact Detail:
Isle of Wight Youth Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fundraising Lead - Isle of Wight Youth Trust in Newport
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Isle of Wight Youth Trust inside out! Research their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn, attend local charity events, or join fundraising forums. Building connections can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for your interview by practising common fundraising questions. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Fundraising Lead position.
We think you need these skills to ace Fundraising Lead - Isle of Wight Youth Trust in Newport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Fundraising Lead. Use specific examples to show us why you're the perfect fit for our team.
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to reflect the skills and experiences that match the job description. We want to see your fundraising achievements and how they relate to the key responsibilities outlined in the role.
Show Your Passion: We’re looking for someone who’s genuinely passionate about making a difference in young people's lives. Let your enthusiasm shine through in your application – tell us why you care about youth mental health and how you can contribute to our mission.
Follow Application Instructions: Make sure to apply through our recruitment portal and submit both your CV and cover letter as specified. We won’t consider applications that don’t follow these guidelines, so double-check before hitting send!
How to prepare for a job interview at Isle of Wight Youth Trust
✨Know Your Fundraising Streams
Make sure you understand the different fundraising streams mentioned in the job description, like community fundraising and corporate partnerships. Be ready to discuss your experience in these areas and how you can contribute to expanding them.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
As a Fundraising Lead, building relationships is key. Prepare examples of how you've engaged and inspired supporters in the past. Think about specific campaigns or partnerships you've developed and be ready to share those stories.
✨Be Data-Driven
The role requires strong numerical and analytical skills. Brush up on how you've used data to inform your fundraising strategies. Be prepared to discuss how you monitor trends and adapt plans based on performance metrics.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with the Isle of Wight Youth Trust's mission and values. During the interview, express your passion for supporting young people and how your personal values align with theirs. This will show that you're not just looking for a job, but genuinely want to make a difference.