At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive fundraising and corporate partnerships to support schools and communities across the UK.
- Company: Join MCKS Charitable Foundation, a rapidly growing charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and the chance to shape impactful initiatives.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for hands-on impact and career development.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting growth phase and help expand vital support for children and families.
- Qualifications: Experience in fundraising or partnerships, with strong communication and relationship-building skills.
MCKS Charitable Foundation UK is an ambitious and rapidly growing charity supporting schools and communities across the UK through school pantry programmes, breakfast clubs and wider wellbeing initiatives that help children and families experiencing food insecurity. We currently support around 180 schools nationally, with a long-term vision to expand to 500 schools and beyond.
As part of this exciting growth phase, we are investing in two of the charity’s first full-time paid roles to help build the next stage of MCKS’ fundraising, partnerships, impact and operational infrastructure. The Corporate Partnerships & Fundraising Manager will work very closely alongside our Schools, Community & Impact Manager, with both roles playing a key part in helping shape the future growth of the charity. Together, these roles will help strengthen supporter engagement, develop partnerships, improve impact reporting, increase fundraising income and expand the charity’s national reach.
This is a genuinely hands-on opportunity to help build something meaningful from the ground up. We are therefore looking for someone who enjoys working within a growing environment and is excited by the opportunity to help shape and build new ways of working. This is not a role for someone who only wants to sit behind strategy documents. We are looking for someone who can think strategically whilst also being willing to roll their sleeves up and deliver — someone who enjoys building relationships, creating opportunities, driving activity forward and helping turn ideas into tangible results.
About the Role
Working closely with the charity’s leadership, trustees and Schools, Community & Impact Manager, you will help develop and deliver a diversified fundraising and partnerships strategy that supports the charity’s ambitious growth plans. This is a varied, fast-paced and hands-on role where you will focus on developing corporate partnerships, securing fundraising income, supporting campaigns and events, and helping strengthen the charity’s fundraising infrastructure for future growth.
Alongside longer-term relationship building, we are keen to see visible fundraising activity, momentum and new opportunities generated within the first year. We are looking for someone who enjoys making things happen — someone who is proactive, delivery-focused and comfortable balancing strategic thinking with practical implementation within a growing charity environment.
As the charity continues to evolve, this role will also contribute towards shaping systems, processes, partnership approaches and supporter engagement activity from the ground up.
Key Responsibilities
- Corporate Partnerships
- Identify and develop partnerships with corporate organisations aligned with the charity’s mission
- Secure financial support from businesses
- Develop partnership proposals and sponsorship opportunities
- Build and manage long-term relationships with corporate partners
- Develop employee engagement and fundraising opportunities with partners
- Fundraising & Income Generation
- Identify and secure fundraising opportunities across corporate partnerships, community fundraising, events and trusts
- Support the development and delivery of fundraising campaigns and initiatives
- Help grow and diversify sustainable income streams
- Develop fundraising resources and supporter materials
- Support the planning and delivery of fundraising events and activities
- Trusts & Foundations
- Research and apply to relevant grant-making trusts and foundations
- Develop compelling funding applications and proposals
- Manage funder relationships and reporting requirements
- Donor Engagement & CRM
- Support the implementation and development of the charity’s fundraising CRM system
- Maintain accurate records of fundraising activity, donors and partnerships
- Track fundraising activity and provide updates to leadership and trustees
- Support supporter engagement and donor stewardship activity
About You
We are looking for someone who is:
- Experienced in fundraising, corporate partnerships, sponsorship or business development
- A confident relationship builder with strong networking and communication skills
- Proactive, organised and delivery-focused
- Comfortable working independently within a growing and evolving charity
- Hands-on and willing to get involved operationally as well as strategically
- Able to manage multiple priorities and work at pace
- Commercially aware with a creative and solution-focused mindset
- Comfortable helping build and improve processes, systems and ways of working
- Passionate about making a genuine difference to children, schools and communities
Experience within the charity sector is welcome but not essential if you have strong partnership development or fundraising experience. Most importantly, we are looking for someone with energy, initiative and the ability to turn ideas into action.
Why This Role Matters
MCKS Charitable Foundation currently supports around 180 schools across the UK through its school pantry programmes and breakfast clubs. Through strategic partnerships, fundraising and community engagement, this role will help expand that support to 500+ schools nationally, helping thousands more children and families access essential food support through their schools. This role will play a direct part in helping the charity strengthen its long-term sustainability, fundraising infrastructure and national reach.
In your first year, the focus will be on creating fundraising momentum, building a strong pipeline of opportunities and securing new income through corporate partnerships, trusts, fundraising initiatives and supporter engagement activity.
What Success Looks Like
Success in this role will involve bringing energy, momentum and proactive delivery into the charity’s fundraising activity from the outset. You will be comfortable taking ownership of opportunities, building relationships, identifying new income streams and helping turn ideas into tangible fundraising activity and partnerships. Alongside helping develop longer-term fundraising infrastructure and partnerships, we are looking for someone who enjoys making things happen and delivering visible progress within a growing charity environment.
This role would suit someone who enjoys building relationships, creating opportunities, working collaboratively and seeing the direct impact of their work on schools, children and families across the UK.
Why Join MCKS?
This is an opportunity to join a charity at a genuinely exciting stage of growth and help shape its future direction. You will be joining at a pivotal time as MCKS invests in building its fundraising, partnership and impact infrastructure to support long-term national growth.
This role offers the opportunity to:
- Help shape one of the charity’s first dedicated fundraising and partnerships functions
- Work closely alongside the Schools, Community & Impact Manager to help build the charity’s future infrastructure and growth
- Build meaningful corporate and community relationships
- Work closely with senior leadership, trustees and the wider charity team
- Help influence systems, processes and future direction
- Make a visible and measurable impact across schools and communities nationwide
For the right person, this is an opportunity to build something meaningful from the ground up and be part of a charity with ambitious plans for growth and long-term impact.
Fundraising & Corporate Partnerships Manager employer: MCKS Charitable Foundation UK
MCKS Charitable Foundation UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises meaningful impact and employee growth. As a rapidly expanding charity, we provide unique opportunities for hands-on involvement in shaping fundraising strategies and building corporate partnerships, all while working collaboratively with passionate colleagues dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and families across the UK. Join us at this pivotal moment in our journey and be part of a team that values innovation, initiative, and the drive to create tangible results.
Contact Detail:
MCKS Charitable Foundation UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fundraising & Corporate Partnerships Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the charity sector. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential partners or mentors. Building relationships is key to landing that fundraising role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with someone about the role, let your enthusiasm for making a difference shine through. Share your ideas on how you can help MCKS grow and make an impact – it’ll set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Research potential corporate partners and think about how you can approach them with tailored proposals. The more initiative you show, the more likely you are to impress.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining MCKS and contributing to our mission of supporting schools and communities across the UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Fundraising & Corporate Partnerships Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in fundraising and corporate partnerships. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at MCKS Charitable Foundation, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for making a difference shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who’s genuinely excited about supporting schools and communities, so share why this role matters to you and how you can contribute to our growth.
Be Specific About Your Experience:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific examples of how you've successfully built partnerships or secured funding. We love seeing tangible results, so include metrics or outcomes where possible to demonstrate your impact.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to help shape the future of MCKS!
How to prepare for a job interview at MCKS Charitable Foundation UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into MCKS Charitable Foundation's mission and current initiatives. Familiarise yourself with their school pantry programmes and breakfast clubs. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your experience with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully built partnerships or secured funding in the past. Be ready to discuss your approach to relationship management and how you can apply that to develop corporate partnerships for MCKS.
✨Be Ready to Roll Up Your Sleeves
This role is hands-on, so be prepared to discuss how you balance strategic thinking with practical implementation. Share instances where you've taken initiative and delivered results, especially in a fast-paced environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, ask questions that demonstrate your understanding of the charity sector and your enthusiasm for the role. Inquire about their future fundraising strategies or how they measure the impact of their initiatives. This shows you're not just interested in the job, but in contributing to their mission.
