Strategic Fundraising Advisor in London

Strategic Fundraising Advisor in London

London Freelance 1000 - 1000 £ / month (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Advise on fundraising strategies to support impactful climate and social initiatives.
  • Company: Join ShareAction, a charity championing responsible investment for a better world.
  • Benefits: Flexible freelance role with a budget of £1,000 per month.
  • Other info: Remote work options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference by shaping fundraising efforts for vital causes.
  • Qualifications: Experience in fundraising leadership and strong networks in philanthropy.

The predicted salary is between 1000 - 1000 £ per month.

This is a Freelance/Contracting opportunity, with a maximum budget of £1,000 per month.

Company Description

ShareAction is an independent charity and an expert on responsible investment. We work to build a world where the financial system serves our planet and its people. We set ambitious standards for how financial institutions, through their investment decisions, can protect our planet and our people and campaign for this approach to become the norm. We convene shareholders to collectively push companies to tackle climate crisis, protect nature, improve workers' rights and shape healthier societies. In the UK and EU, we advocate for financial regulation that has society's best interests at its core.

Position

We're currently seeking to hire an independent adviser to support our senior fundraising leadership over a fixed term period of approximately 12 months on a freelance basis. The Strategic Fundraising Advisor will provide senior‑level, external guidance on how ShareAction raises the money that powers our work. This is an advisory role rather than an operational one: you won't run campaigns, write grant applications or manage donor relationships directly. Instead, you will strengthen the judgement, confidence and networks of the colleagues who do.

Our income has historically been concentrated in trusts and foundations. Over the coming year, we want to increase income from this stream while diversifying and growing our high‑net‑worth (HNW) individual giving. You will help shape and stress‑test that strategy, working primarily with our Head of Business Development and Chief Operating Officer. A typical month would see you:

  • Reviewing and constructively challenging our fundraising strategy, plans and pipeline
  • Holding regular mentoring and thinking‑partner sessions with the Head of Business Development and the COO, building their confidence in major gift fundraising and high‑value donor cultivation
  • Helping us identify and prioritise new funding opportunities among trusts, foundations and HNW individuals
  • Making introductions where appropriate and advising on how best to approach specific prospects

Your advice will help us keep pushing companies and investors to tackle the climate crisis, protect nature, improve workers' rights and shape healthier societies, and to advocate for financial regulation that has society's best interests at its core. Over the course of the engagement, we hope to see a clearer, more robust fundraising strategy, a stronger pipeline of trust and foundation prospects, first gifts secured from HNW donors, and a wider network of warm introductions across UK and international philanthropy.

This role is independent of our Board and Fundraising Committee, although you may liaise with trustees on fundraising matters at the COO's request.

If this role sounds like something that would build on your current skill set and engage you, we'd love to hear from you!

Requirements

Ideally, you'll have significant senior‑level experience leading a fundraising team in a UK charity and are looking to put that experience to work as an independent adviser. We think this role would suit someone who has:

  • Current knowledge of trends in UK and international trusts, foundations and philanthropic giving, particularly in systems change, responsible investment, climate, health, human rights and/or corporate accountability
  • Existing contacts and networks within UK philanthropy, trusts and foundations, and/or HNW donor circles
  • Knowledge and experience of donor stewardship and major gift fundraising
  • Comfort offering candid, constructive challenge to senior leadership
  • Support for ShareAction's goals and a real interest in our work

It would be a bonus if you also have experience of charity mentoring, advisory or non‑executive roles, experience of working in or with regranters, or knowledge or experience of capital markets and the financial system.

While we hope we'll find someone with the majority of these skills and experience, we're keen to hear from you even if you don't have them all. We appreciate lots of skills are transferable and we welcome opportunities to explore different ways of achieving our goals.

This is a freelance role, with the time commitment flexing according to our operational needs. It can be carried out primarily remotely or in person, and we will agree what works best at the outset.

Other Information

Contract type: Freelance, up to 12 months
Who it reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Budget: Up to £12,000 in total over 12 months
Deadline for applications: 9am, Monday 16th November
Interview dates: W/c 23rd November 2026

ShareAction values and respects all differences in people (seen and unseen) and welcomes applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries. We are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences and abilities and we are working hard to provide an environment where all can bring their authentic selves to work.

Our hiring process is anonymised, we won't ask for a cover letter and we don't look at CVs until the interview stage. We do this so that we reduce the opportunity for unconscious biases to affect our decision making and so we prioritise skills and expertise over how well you can write a CV.

We also actively encourage incoming staff to consider flexible working arrangements; recognising that a better work‑life balance can improve employee motivation, performance and reduce stress. Please talk to us at the interview about the flexibility you need. We can't promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking.

While we embrace hybrid working at ShareAction, we also think there is a lot of value in spending time together in person. We run all‑staff away days, a yearly retreat and more regular team and directorate meet‑ups so that we can develop our ideas and plans together. As part of the induction process, we'll invite you to our office in Aldgate so you can meet and get to know your line manager, team and others from across the organisation.

To be considered for this post you must be legally eligible to work in the UK, unfortunately we are unable to provide visa sponsorship.

Please be aware that when shortlisting we are really keen to get a sense of your unique voice and individual experience, especially if you are using generative AI tools as part of your drafting process.

NB Although the application form asks for it, a cover letter is not required and will not be looked at as part of the shortlisting process.

Strategic Fundraising Advisor in London employer: ShareAction

ShareAction is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment in London that champions responsible investment. With a strong commitment to flexible working arrangements, opportunities for professional development, and a focus on making a positive impact on society and the environment, employees are empowered to thrive while contributing to meaningful change. The collaborative culture fosters strong relationships among team members, ensuring that everyone can bring their authentic selves to work.

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Contact Details:

ShareAction Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Strategic Fundraising Advisor in London

✨Connect with Local NGOs

Dive into local non-profit events and community workshops—these are goldmines for freelance gigs in the social impact space. Networking with pro-bono organisations can lead to discovering opportunities where your skills can shine.

✨Showcase Your Impact Portfolio

Create a compelling portfolio that highlights your past social impact projects. This should include client testimonials and case studies—real stories that show how you've made a difference. Use platforms like Behance or a personal website to host your work.

✨Engage with Online Communities

Join Facebook groups and LinkedIn communities focused on social impact and non-profits. Participating in discussions not only builds your reputation but can also lead to freelance gigs as other members share job opportunities.

✨Pitch to Non-Profit Startups

Many start-ups in the non-profit sector are looking for freelancers who can support their mission. Research potential projects, approach them with tailored pitches that explain how you can help, and apply directly through our website for a solid starting point!

We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Fundraising Advisor in London

Fundraising Strategy Development
Mentoring
Networking
Knowledge of Philanthropic Trends
Donor Stewardship
Major Gift Fundraising
Constructive Challenge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Social Impact:When applying for a freelance role in social impact projects, let your enthusiasm shine through! In your application, share personal anecdotes or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to social causes. This helps us see why you're a perfect fit for making a difference with ShareAction.

Craft a Tailored Portfolio:For our freelance positions, it’s really important to include a portfolio that showcases your previous work in the nonprofit sector or social impact initiatives. Highlight projects that align closely with the kind of work ShareAction does, and don’t forget to include metrics or outcomes to illustrate your impact!

Outline Your Availability and Rates Clearly:Transparency is key in freelance applications! Make sure to include your availability and any rate expectations in your application. This gives us a clear understanding of how you can fit into our projects and helps to set the stage for a smooth collaboration.

Connect the Dots in Your CV:When it comes to your CV, focus on relevant experiences that highlight your skills in project management, grant writing, or community engagement. Tailor your CV to reflect the specific requirements of the freelance role at ShareAction to help us understand how you can directly contribute to our mission.

How to prepare for a job interview at ShareAction

✨Showcase Your Impact

As we're diving into the world of nonprofits and social impact projects, it’s vital to highlight your previous work that made a difference. Bring along case studies or examples from your freelance projects that emphasise your ability to create positive change and measure outcomes. Let’s show ShareAction how you’ve delivered real results!

✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that ask how you’d handle specific challenges in the nonprofit space. They might throw real-world scenarios your way to see your problem-solving skills in action. Practise articulating your thought process, as this will demonstrate not only competence but also a genuine passion for the issues at stake.

✨Pitch Your Unique Value

Remember, freelancing means you’re not just someone they hire; you’re a partner in their mission. Be prepared to sell your unique skillset and how it fits their needs. Tailor your pitch based on the social causes they're involved in to show that you understand and resonate with their goals.

✨Bring the Right Tools

In the nonprofit sector, familiarity with project management and collaboration tools can set you apart. Whether it’s Trello, Asana, or Google Workspace, have examples ready of how you’ve used these tools in past projects to streamline your work. This will illustrate your organisational skills and readiness to be an effective team member from day one.