At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising initiatives and build relationships with trusts and foundations to secure vital support.
- Company: Join Somerset House, a vibrant cultural hub in London dedicated to the arts.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, enhanced leave, mental health support, and discounts on events.
- Other info: Hybrid working model and opportunities for professional growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the creative sector while developing your fundraising skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in trusts and foundations fundraising and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
The Development team at Somerset House raises over £3m per annum and works across four key income streams – brand partnerships, corporate partnerships, trusts & foundations and individual giving. The Trusts & Foundations Manager reports to and works closely with the Head of Development to develop and deliver Somerset House’s trusts and foundations fundraising strategy. Somerset House does not receive any core public funding, therefore income from trusts, foundations and grant makers is especially important. We have ambitious plans to increase philanthropic giving and this postholder will be central to realising those ambitions.
Somerset House is an inspiring cause to support, and there is a real opportunity to create rewarding associations with grant makers across activity including public programming, exhibitions, capital, artist studios and our work developing pathways for young people into the creative industries. Working in close collaboration with the Head of Development, the Trusts & Foundations Manager will have a systematic approach to cultivation, stewardship and engagement in support of Somerset House. They will look after a portfolio of existing funders, as well as cultivating a pipeline of prospects with a view to converting these into new funders.
What we are looking for:
- Fundraising
- Lead on Somerset House’s initiatives to cultivate philanthropic support from trusts, foundations and grant‑making bodies in order to reach annual fundraising targets.
- Grow and manage a personal portfolio of constituents, using systematic processes and solicitation plans for identification, cultivation and stewardship.
- Liaise with key contacts internally in order to produce well‑crafted and persuasive written proposals across a range of activity.
- Research, draft and submit applications to trusts and foundations at the five and six‑figure level, with a focus on multi‑year support.
- Work with the Head of Development to craft applications at the seven‑figure level.
- Work with finance to develop project budgets across key fundraising initiatives.
- Cultivation, Stewardship and Reporting
- Work strategically with the Director and Head of Development to cultivate and steward key trusts and foundations relationships and mobilise the Board of Trustees to make inroads with funders who do not accept unsolicited applications.
- Prepare briefings and cultivation plans to support this work.
- Provide outstanding donor care, developing and maintaining positive relationships with key trusts and foundations contacts.
- Work with the Senior Stewardship Manager and Development Coordinator to deliver strategic and impactful communications and reports which build affinity and encourage onward support.
- Operations & Data
- Negotiate and issue funding agreements and with the Development Coordinator, ensure all crediting and reporting is fulfilled as per donor requirements.
- Work closely with internal teams to ensure funded projects have clear evaluation frameworks and with the Development Coordinator, ensure information is fed through into proposals and reports.
- Provide regular reports, updates and analysis on the trusts and foundations portfolio, including financial reporting and pipeline analysis.
- Work with the finance team to ensure all trusts and foundations income is appropriately categorised and monitored.
- Work collaboratively with the Development Manager (Individuals) to manage the workflow of the Development Coordinator, including delegating the drafting of smaller trust applications.
- Ensure that all activities are compliant with the Fundraising Code of Practice and GDPR as well as Somerset House’s own Gift Acceptance Policy.
- Record all relationships, activity, pledges and donations promptly and accurately on the CRM.
- Working with the Development Coordinator, research prospects in accordance with due diligence processes and produce detailed reports to support cultivation, engagement and risk management.
- General
- Work with colleagues to ensure that Somerset House’s fundraising message and charitable purpose are widely understood and embedded across Somerset House.
- Develop strong internal relationships to support fundraising and relationship management.
- Act as a positive ambassador for the work of Somerset House, including at events at Somerset House and externally.
- Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required in the post.
Skills, knowledge & expertise required for the role
Experience
- Essential
- Demonstrable track record of trusts and foundations fundraising, working to fundraising targets and securing gifts at the four and five‑figure level.
- Experience of managing grant funding relationships.
- Excellent numeracy skills and proven ability to develop budgets, monitor management accounts and understand funder finance reports.
- Experience of delivering financial, KPI and commentary reporting to funders.
- Experience of working across an organisation to develop cross‑team proposals.
- Excellent working knowledge of fundraising best practice, including GDPR and the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Practice.
- Desirable
- Experience of securing gifts at the six and seven figure level.
- Experience of working on capital funding applications.
- Experience of fundraising in the arts or creative sectors.
- Knowledge of international funding sources.
Skills
- Essential
- Exceptional written skills with the ability to craft compelling fundraising asks.
- Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively, tailoring delivery to suit different audiences.
- Ability to work independently and manage a busy and varied workload.
- Meticulous attention to detail.
- Tact and discretion.
- Strong networking skills and ability to build relationships at a variety of different levels.
- Willingness to work collaboratively to strengthen and implement Somerset House’s Development strategy and to shape compelling funding proposals.
- Desirable
- Confident CRM system user, ideally Raiser’s Edge NXT or Tessitura.
Benefits to working at Somerset House
- Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Access to our external Employee Assistance Programme (CiC) for free 24/7 confidential advice and support, including up to 6 free counselling sessions per year where needed.
- Mental health support and guidance from our in‑house trained Mental Health First Aiders.
- Hybrid working based on having 3 days in the office per week (pro rata if part‑time).
- Contribution towards eye tests and glasses.
- Trust life insurance scheme.
- We offer winter flu vaccination vouchers.
- Holiday
- Enhanced annual leave – 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata).
- Birthday leave - additional day leave.
- Celebration day - to celebrate anything of your choice.
- Other Leave
- Sick leave – 20 days full pay, followed by 20 days half pay (pro rata & following 3 months service).
- Emergency dependent care – option to use 25% of paid sick leave for emergency care of a dependent (pro rata & following 3 months of service).
- Enhanced maternity pay.
- Benefits
- 8% employer pension contributions, no employee contribution required.
- Option for salary sacrifice.
- Season ticket loan.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Discounts, offers and free stuff – the list is endless and includes tickets to Somerset House events and entrance to other London Heritage sites, discounts in Somerset House cafes and restaurants, and discounts with various high street retailers and restaurants.
Trusts & Foundations Manager in City of Westminster employer: Somerset House
Somerset House is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration in the heart of London. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we provide generous benefits including enhanced annual leave, mental health support, and opportunities for professional growth within the arts sector. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying unique perks such as discounts on events and local attractions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trusts & Foundations Manager in City of Westminster
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Somerset House.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Somerset House.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Somerset House.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Somerset House. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Trusts & Foundations Manager in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Somerset House. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Trusts & Foundations Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Somerset House
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Somerset House. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
