At a Glance
- Tasks: Build relationships and develop fundraising opportunities with local businesses and community organisations.
- Company: Join a passionate education charity dedicated to closing the gap for disadvantaged children.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for career growth as the organisation expands.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while shaping the future of a growing charity.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for building partnerships.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 32000 £ per year.
Partnerships and Community Fundraiser 0.5 FTE – 18.75 hours per week (flexible working) Salary: £30,000-£32,000 FTE depending on experience Location: Hybrid working with one regular day or half-day per week in Abingdon/Oxfordshire, alongside home working and regular external meetings.
About Quest for Learning
Quest for Learning is an education charity working to close the gap for primary school children in Oxfordshire who are falling behind due to disadvantage. We work closely with schools to deliver targeted, evidence-led literacy and numeracy programmes that help children build the skills, confidence and foundations they need to thrive. Many of the children we support are growing up in poverty, facing barriers linked to low family literacy, unmet additional needs, unstable home circumstances, or limited access to wider opportunities. Our programmes are delivered by experienced professional tutors and are built around structured interventions, strong school partnerships and measurable outcomes. On average, pupils supported through our small-group tutoring make around 13 months of progress in just 10 hours of support.
Quest for Learning is entering an important new stage of development. Following a period of organisational growth and strategic transition, we are investing in building a stronger and more sustainable fundraising function that can deepen our impact and reach more children across Oxfordshire. This is an opportunity to help shape that next stage.
Why join us?
- Real ownership and autonomy within your role
- The opportunity to help shape and grow a developing fundraising function
- Close working relationships with the CEO and leadership team
- Flexibility and hybrid working arrangements
- The chance to build meaningful partnerships across Oxfordshire
- Opportunities for progression as the organisation grows
We are intentionally investing in fundraising, partnerships and long-term sustainability, and this role offers the opportunity to help build strong relationships and community support around an ambitious, evidence-led charity with significant future potential. We are a collaborative, supportive and purpose-driven team that values initiative, professionalism, creativity and compassion.
Role purpose
We are seeking an energetic, proactive and relationship-focused fundraiser to help grow Quest for Learning’s community, corporate and partnership fundraising activity. This role will focus primarily on building relationships and developing opportunities with local businesses, community organisations, schools, supporters and wider networks across Oxfordshire. We are looking for someone who enjoys meeting people, building partnerships and creating opportunities through strong communication and relationship management. The successful candidate will help raise the profile of Quest for Learning, strengthen supporter engagement and contribute to a more diverse and sustainable income base. This is a role for someone who is motivated by people, partnerships and meaningful social impact.
Key responsibilities
- Community and partnership fundraising
- Build and develop relationships with local businesses, community groups and supporters
- Identify and develop opportunities for corporate partnerships, sponsorship and community fundraising
- Represent Quest for Learning at meetings, networking events and community activities
- Develop and maintain relationships with local organisations including schools, Rotary clubs, WIs, businesses and civic groups
- Support the development of fundraising campaigns, partnership opportunities and supporter initiatives
- Help grow Quest for Learning’s visibility and supporter network across Oxfordshire
- Work with the CEO and trustees to identify and cultivate new opportunities and introductions
- Supporter engagement and stewardship
- Build positive and professional relationships with supporters and partners
- Ensure strong communication and stewardship with supporters
- Help supporters and organisations engage meaningfully with Quest for Learning’s mission and impact
- Support the development of compelling fundraising messaging and supporter communications
- Gather and share stories, outcomes and examples of impact with supporters and partners
- Organisational contribution
- Contribute to the ongoing development of Quest for Learning’s fundraising function and systems
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation
- Represent Quest for Learning professionally and passionately to external audiences
- Contribute ideas and insight to support organisational growth and sustainability
- Maintain accurate records of partnerships, communications and activity within Beacon CRM
Person specification
We recognise that strong fundraisers and partnership-builders do not always come from traditional charity fundraising backgrounds. If you have transferable skills and experience in areas such as partnerships, account management, business development, communications, education, customer relationships, sales, marketing or community engagement - and are excited by our mission - we would strongly encourage you to apply.
Essential
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Confidence building relationships with a wide range of people and organisations
- Ability to work independently and proactively
- Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Strong written communication skills
- Confidence representing an organisation externally
- Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively
- Commitment to the mission and values of Quest for Learning
- Experience in relationship-building, partnerships, stakeholder engagement or supporter-facing work
Desirable
- Experience in fundraising, partnerships or business development
- Experience within education, children’s services or related sectors
- Knowledge of the Oxfordshire community or business landscape
- Experience working within a small charity or growing organisation
- Experience supporting events, campaigns or community engagement activity
- Experience using Beacon CRM or similar systems
What success in this role looks like
Successful performance in this role is likely to include:
- Building strong and sustainable community and corporate relationships
- Increasing Quest for Learning’s visibility and supporter engagement
- Developing new partnership and fundraising opportunities
- Growing unrestricted and partnership-based income
- Strengthening supporter stewardship and community presence
- Contributing to the growth and professionalisation of Quest for Learning’s fundraising function
As Quest for Learning grows, we expect this role to develop too, with opportunities to shape strategy and take on increasing responsibility over time.
Who thrives at Quest for Learning
People who tend to thrive at Quest for Learning are:
- Proactive and solutions-focused
- Motivated by meaningful impact
- Comfortable working independently while collaborating closely with others
- Excited by helping build and improve systems and processes
- Confident building relationships and engaging with people
- Adaptable, thoughtful and motivated to grow professionally alongside the organisation
Working arrangements
0.5 FTE with flexible working arrangements Hybrid role combining home working with one regular day or half-day per week in Abingdon/Oxfordshire Regular travel across Oxfordshire for meetings and events Flexible working patterns can be discussed.
Benefits
- Flexible and hybrid working
- Pension contribution
- TOIL policy
- Supportive and collaborative working culture
- Professional development opportunities
- Opportunity to help shape a growing fundraising function within an ambitious charity
Application process
To apply, please submit: your CV and a short statement (maximum one page) explaining: why you are interested in the role and how your skills and experience relate to the role.
We encourage applications from candidates with both traditional and non-traditional fundraising backgrounds. For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Chris Higgins, CEO, at Closing date: midday, Tuesday 30 June Interviews: 14 July.
Community and Partnerships Fundraiser in Banbury employer: Quest for Learning
Quest for Learning is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to join a passionate team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of disadvantaged primary school children in Oxfordshire. With flexible hybrid working arrangements, a supportive and collaborative culture, and real opportunities for professional growth, you will have the chance to shape the future of our fundraising function while building valuable partnerships across the community. Join us in our mission to close the educational gap and help create lasting change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community and Partnerships Fundraiser in Banbury
✨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 Quest for Learning. 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 Quest for Learning!
✨Showcase Your Passion
When reaching out to organisations like Quest for Learning, 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 Community and Partnerships Fundraiser in Banbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Fundraising Skills:When applying for a part-time role in fundraising development at Quest for Learning, 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 Quest for Learning. 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 Quest for Learning.
How to prepare for a job interview at Quest for Learning
✨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 Quest for Learning.
✨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 Quest for Learning. 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!
