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- Tasks: Lead fundraising efforts, build relationships, and secure income for our education charity.
- Company: Quest for Learning is an education charity dedicated to helping disadvantaged primary school children in Oxfordshire.
- Benefits: Enjoy unlimited annual leave, flexible hybrid working, and a supportive culture focused on wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while developing your skills in a friendly environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in fundraising, strong communication skills, and a proactive attitude are essential.
- Other info: This role offers the chance to work independently and creatively within a mission-driven team.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 26000 £ per year.
Remuneration: £28,000 - £30,000 FTE (dependent on experience)
Reports to: Chief Executive
Term of appointment: Permanent
Hours of work: 0.8 FTE (30hrs per week) (flexible for the right candidate)
Holidays: Uncapped annual leave, plus two week-long shutdowns
Main work address: Hybrid - a mix of remote working and time at our Abingdon office. The role involves regular travel across Oxfordshire to meet funders, partners, and community supporters, and occasional evening or weekend work for events and networking.
Closing date: midday 21 July
Interviews: w/c 28 July or w/c 4 August
About Quest for Learning
Quest for Learning is an education charity on a mission to close the gap for primary school children in Oxfordshire who are falling behind - often due to complex and compounding disadvantage. Many of the children we support are growing up in poverty, with limited access to books, low parental literacy, and challenging home environments. Some face health inequalities, live in areas affected by crime, or have recently arrived in the UK as refugees or asylum seekers.
We work closely with schools to provide targeted, high-impact literacy and numeracy programmes that give these children the chance to catch up, thrive, and believe in their potential. On average, our small-group tutoring helps pupils make 13 months of progress in just 10 hours - building not only essential skills, but also confidence, motivation, and a renewed sense of possibility.
The impact extends well beyond the classroom. By supporting children early, we help prevent the need for more complex and costly interventions later in life, from mental health support to exclusion and social care. Our work contributes to stronger, fairer communities by giving every child the foundation they need to participate fully in society. In doing so, we are advancing social sustainability and helping to meet global goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals for Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, and Good Health and Wellbeing.
Role Purpose
This is a hands-on and outward-facing role for a confident, capable fundraiser ready to lead Quest for Learning’s income generation efforts. As our sole dedicated fundraiser, you’ll take ownership of securing income across a broad mix of streams - including trusts and foundations, community fundraising, individual giving, and corporate partnerships.
You’ll be out and about representing the charity, building relationships with local businesses, community groups, and supporters, and bringing our mission to life with energy and clarity. You'll need to be a proactive self-starter who enjoys meeting people, thrives in a varied role, and is motivated by delivering results that improve life chances for disadvantaged children.
This is a busy and varied role which often involves working on multiple fundraising activities at once. A typical day could include working on an application to a new funder, designing a supporter newsletter, gathering information for an end of grant report, and researching new prospects.
This role would suit someone with experience of securing funding, managing funder relationships, and developing new opportunities - all with a focus on practical delivery. You’ll work closely with the CEO, leadership and programme teams, and our board of trustees to help grow a diverse and sustainable income base.
Key Responsibilities
- Trusts and foundations
- Research and identify prospective funders, building a robust pipeline
- Write and submit compelling, tailored funding applications
- Deliver timely, high-quality reports with evidence of impact
- Build and maintain strong relationships with funders through clear, proactive stewardship
- Monitor success rates and financial information and adapt strategy to improve performance
- Initiate and grow partnerships with local community groups (e.g. WIs, Rotary clubs, schools, churches)
- Support or coordinate local fundraising events and campaigns (e.g. fun runs, quizzes, coffee mornings)
- Attend community events to represent the charity and engage new supporters
- Equip and support individuals and groups to fundraise on our behalf
- Build relationships with local and regional businesses to secure sponsorship, gifts-in-kind or Charity of the Year support
- Develop creative, mutually beneficial opportunities to engage corporate partners
- Work with the CEO and board to identify and cultivate prospects
- Explore other potential income streams including education consultancy or training offers
- Support the development of campaigns to encourage donations from individuals
- Help create a compelling case for support across our communications
- Identify opportunities to increase visibility and supporter base (e.g. speaking engagements, community fairs)
- Ensure Quest for Learning is regularly engaging with our supporters
- Champion the use of storytelling and pupil outcomes to inspire giving
- Develop fundraising messaging and materials with the CEO and team
- Lead on all communications relating to fundraising and supporter engagement
- Ensure consistent branding and tone across all fundraising-related comms
- Share our impact with passion and clarity to motivate supporters
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in our Beacon CRM
- Track income performance and contribute to budgeting and forecasting
- Create and deliver realistic workplans to manage multiple deadlines
- Liaise with programme staff to gather data and stories for funders
- Report on income and fundraising activities to CEO and trustees
Person Specification
Essential
- Proven experience in fundraising, with a track record of securing income across multiple streams
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain our mission clearly and persuasively to a wide range of audiences
- Excellent bid writing and reporting skills
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Confidence in networking, public speaking, and relationship-building
- Proactive, self-motivated, and happy to work independently
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Values-led, personable and enthusiastic - able to represent the charity with warmth and professionalism
Desirable
- Experience working in a small charity or education setting
- Knowledge of the Oxfordshire funding landscape or local networks
- Experience with community fundraising, challenge events, or individual giving
- Skills in Canva, Mailchimp or similar content creation tools
- Familiarity with Beacon or similar fundraising CRMs
- Understanding of primary education and the barriers disadvantaged children face
- Experience producing fundraising workplans or reports for trustees
Why work with us?
Quest for Learning is a friendly, values-led education charity with a big mission and a supportive culture. We’re committed to flexibility, wellbeing and professional growth, and we believe in helping our team thrive while doing meaningful work.
We offer:
- Unlimited annual leave (minimum 28 days pro rata, plus bank holidays), with full charity shutdowns in August and at Christmas
- Flexible hybrid working with autonomy over your schedule
- A culture of trust, kindness, and high standards
- Opportunities to test ideas, develop skills and shape a growing organisation
How to apply
***Please do not apply via the Apply Now button on LinkedIn*** To apply, please complete the application form and submit to recruitment@questforlearning.org.uk
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Chris Higgins, Chief Executive at info@questforlearning.org.uk
Fundraiser employer: Quest for Learning
Contact Detail:
Quest for Learning Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fundraiser
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local funding landscape in Oxfordshire. Understanding the key players and potential funders will help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your commitment to the community.
✨Tip Number 2
Network actively within the education and charity sectors. Attend local events, workshops, or seminars where you can meet potential partners and supporters, showcasing your enthusiasm for the mission of Quest for Learning.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to share compelling stories about the impact of your work. Being able to articulate how fundraising directly benefits disadvantaged children will resonate with potential funders and supporters.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your proactive nature by suggesting innovative fundraising ideas during interviews. Showing that you can think outside the box will highlight your suitability for a hands-on role like this one.
We think you need these skills to ace Fundraiser
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Fundraiser position at Quest for Learning. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with their mission and the specific duties outlined in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should not only introduce yourself but also convey your passion for the cause. Use it to explain why you want to work for Quest for Learning and how your background in fundraising can contribute to their goals. Be sure to include specific examples of your past successes in securing funding.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, focus on your experience related to fundraising, particularly in securing income from various streams. Include metrics or outcomes from your previous roles that demonstrate your effectiveness, such as funds raised or successful partnerships developed.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, take the time to proofread and edit your documents. Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors, and that your writing is clear and concise. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Quest for Learning
✨Know the Mission
Familiarise yourself with Quest for Learning's mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with their goal of supporting disadvantaged children in Oxfordshire.
✨Showcase Your Fundraising Experience
Prepare specific examples of your past fundraising successes. Highlight your experience in securing income from various streams, as this role requires a proactive approach to income generation.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Skills
Since the role involves building relationships with funders and community groups, be ready to share instances where you've successfully developed partnerships. Emphasise your communication skills and ability to engage diverse audiences.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the organisation's current fundraising strategies and future goals. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute effectively.
