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- Tasks: Lead fundraising efforts to protect wild places through grants and trusts.
- Company: Join the John Muir Trust, a UK charity dedicated to nature conservation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, and a pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental conservation while growing your fundraising skills.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in fundraising with a track record of securing large grants.
- Other info: Flexible working with opportunities for travel and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 33345 - 46683 £ per year.
This role is a unique opportunity for a talented and experienced fundraiser to take on a key role in the John Muir Trust’s Income Generation team. As the UK charity dedicated to the protection of wild places, we are seeking an exceptional individual to play a vital role in raising funds from statutory, lottery, grant and charitable trust sources to support delivery of the Trust’s exciting Strategy.
You will provide fundraising experience and expertise to develop and manage a wide portfolio of funders, from lottery and governmental bodies to family foundations and charitable trusts, raising funds to protect wild places in the UK. If you are an experienced trusts and grants fundraiser with a history of meeting ambitious income targets and a passion for wild places, we want to hear from you.
The Trusts & Grants Manager is responsible for the delivery of key income streams, generating both core and restricted funding to support the Trust’s work in wild places. The role will develop and deliver a plan to drive significant growth in trust and grant income, connecting a growing portfolio of funders with key projects requiring funding. They will manage relationships from research and cultivation to application to stewardship, ensuring a positive experience for all Trust funders.
Main responsibilities- Create and manage a plan to significantly grow Trust and Grant income in the short and long term, contributing to the overall Income Generation Strategy.
- Lead on identification and research of statutory/lottery/grant funders, with a focus on large-scale asks, ensuring the Trust is able to respond positively to all opportunities.
- Manage and oversee development of high quality persuasive funding applications to charitable trusts and foundations to secure both core and project income matched to strategic priorities.
- Build on existing relationships with key funders to maximise income and meet ambitious targets, maintaining a schedule of asks and approaches.
- Cultivate relationships with new charitable trusts and ensure funding approaches best match their interests and priorities.
- Liaise with Trust staff teams to guide project development, identifying areas of work suitable for trust/grant funding and ensuring best fit between activity and funding.
- Ensure excellent stewardship of all trust/grant funders, including writing reports and updates to keep funders informed of the positive impact of their support and encourage repeat donations.
- Ensure all income activities are carried out in line with statutory regulations and Trust policies.
- Work with the Income Generation Director and wider team to assist with other aspects of fundraising as required.
- At least three years’ experience in a similar role or at a comparable level in a comparable organisation.
- Demonstrable experience of securing large-scale grant funding, including from lottery and statutory funders.
- A proven track record of successful high-level fundraising from charitable trusts, achieving or exceeding agreed income targets.
- Experience of working with senior staff on project development, prospect development and relationship management.
- Excellent communications skills, including evidence of the ability to turn complex project information into persuasive fundraising content for various audiences, clearly demonstrating impact.
- Energy, enthusiasm and desire to meet ambitious targets and ability to work flexibly and creatively towards those targets, responding quickly to funding opportunities.
Type of contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Salary: Band C starting from £33,345
Pension: 5% employer contribution to a group auto-enrolment pension scheme
Reporting to: Director of Income Generation
Location: Flexible, with occasional travel to Edinburgh and Pitlochry offices
Holidays: 34 days per year (pro-rata) plus 2 ‘wild days’ or 2 sustainable travel days
Trusts & Grants Manager employer: John Muir Trust
Contact Detail:
John Muir Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trusts & Grants Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the John Muir Trust inside out! Familiarise yourself with their mission and projects, especially those related to wild places. This will help you tailor your conversations and show genuine passion during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn to get insider tips about the role and the team. Building connections can give you an edge and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising your pitch. Highlight your fundraising successes and how they align with the Trust’s goals. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've met ambitious income targets in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and supporting the Trust’s incredible work.
We think you need these skills to ace Trusts & Grants Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Trusts & Grants Manager role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Fundraising Success: Don’t hold back on sharing your achievements in fundraising! Include specific examples of how you've met or exceeded income targets, especially from trusts and grants, to demonstrate your capability.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for wild places and how your skills can contribute to our mission. Keep it engaging and personal to make a lasting impression.
Proofread and Polish: Before hitting send, give your application a thorough proofread. Typos and errors can distract from your message, so let’s make sure everything is clear and professional. We want to see your best work!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Muir Trust
✨Know Your Funders
Before the interview, do your homework on the types of funders the John Muir Trust works with. Familiarise yourself with their interests and priorities, as well as any recent projects they've funded. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your understanding of how to connect with potential funders.
✨Showcase Your Successes
Be ready to discuss specific examples of your past fundraising successes. Highlight instances where you've secured large-scale grants or developed strong relationships with funders. Use metrics to back up your claims, like income targets met or exceeded, to show that you can deliver results.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since excellent communication skills are essential for this role, practice articulating complex project information in a clear and persuasive manner. Prepare to explain how you would turn project details into compelling funding applications that resonate with various audiences.
✨Demonstrate Passion for Wild Places
The John Muir Trust is all about protecting wild places, so make sure to express your passion for conservation and the environment during the interview. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to these values, showing that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the organisation's mission.