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- Tasks: Lead fundraising efforts to secure major gifts for children in care.
- Company: Join St Christopher's, a leading charity dedicated to transforming young lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 25 days holiday, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while building meaningful relationships and driving change.
- Qualifications: Proven fundraising experience and strong relationship management skills required.
- Other info: Apply early as we review applications on a rolling basis.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 36000 £ per year.
Salary: £35,000 - 36,000 per annum, depending on experience
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week with occasional evening and weekend work
Hybrid working with 1-2 days a week in the head office (Putney, London, SW15)
Permanent contract
This role is a new opportunity to join our small but growing team and contribute to creating brighter futures for children and young people in care. We are looking for a dynamic and results-driven fundraiser who thrives on building strong, strategic relationships. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a brand-new role focused on maintaining and expanding our portfolio of funders. You will play a key part in increasing both the value and longevity of existing relationships, while proactively identifying and securing new opportunities.
If you are passionate about driving change and want to be at the heart of our organisation's growth, this role is for you. As our Major Gifts Lead, you will be instrumental in achieving vital income targets that support St Christopher's wider mission and strategic goals.
About Us
Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future. St Christopher's is a leading charity for children and young people, and we are proud of our history of providing fostering, children's homes, and a range of innovative services for young people leaving care across the UK and the Isle of Man. We have a passionate commitment to our young people, placing them at the centre of everything we do. We provide positive life experiences for young people who are unable to sustain a placement in their parental or foster home. We are an equal-opportunity employer and are committed to developing an inclusive workforce where everyone feels they belong. We hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including individuals from diverse cultures, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, disabilities, religions, faiths, genders, sexual orientations, childcare responsibilities, and those with gender-diverse identities.
About the Role
Make a lasting impact on young lives. Join St Christopher's as our new Major Gifts Lead. St Christopher's is dedicated to transforming the lives of children and young people in care. We are excited to offer a unique opportunity for a passionate and experienced fundraising professional to shape and grow a brand-new role within our dynamic team.
If you are a strong relationship-builder with a background in partnerships, sales or fundraising and ready to make an impact, apply now.
As Major Gifts Lead, you will:
- Work closely with the Head of Fundraising to manage and cultivate a warm pipeline of trusts and foundations, and corporate partners, progressing relationships and identifying opportunities for support.
- Identify, research, and cultivate new funding opportunities to secure significant gifts and long-term support.
- With the Head of Fundraising, manage and grow a portfolio of high-value donors and prospects, ensuring excellent stewardship and engagement.
- Lead on the preparation of compelling funding proposals, applications, and impact reports tailored to donor interests and priorities.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with corporate partners, identifying opportunities for sponsorship, employee engagement, and strategic partnerships.
- Collaborate with colleagues across the organisation to gather stories, data, and insights that demonstrate impact and strengthen donor communications.
- Ensure that young people's stories are respectfully shared and in line with our strengths-based approach.
This role is ideal for a strategic and relationship-driven fundraiser who thrives on building meaningful partnerships and wants to make a tangible difference. You will be joining a supportive organisation where your expertise will be valued and your ideas welcomed.
Ready to take the lead and help us grow our impact? Apply now and be part of something truly meaningful.
Applicants should have:
- Proven track record of securing significant income from major donors, trusts, foundations, and/or corporate partners.
- Strong relationship management skills with the ability to engage, inspire, and steward high-value supporters.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in writing compelling proposals and donor reports.
What you should expect from us:
- Salary £36,000.
- A friendly working environment, a fun, open and honest culture.
- 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
- Contributory pension scheme, Enhanced Maternity and Company Sick Scheme.
- BUPA Employee Assistance Programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
- Interest-free season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme.
- Discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK.
- Discretionary Funded Training Programs.
- Employee Awards based on performance and length of service.
- Fantastic opportunities to develop your career within our range of services.
Recruitment Process
At St Christopher's we are committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people in our care. During the recruitment process you will be expected to complete an online application form to ensure we capture essential information to meet legislation, best practice and vetting requirements. Applicants will ideally already be on the DBS Update Service; if this is not the case St Christopher's will carry out a DBS (police) check prior to starting.
Your online application must include a supporting statement addressing the criteria stated in the Person Specification. For the full Job Description and Person Specification please visit our website. For more information please visit our website. We advise to apply as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
St Christopher's Fellowship has a minimum age requirement of 21 for roles working directly with children and young people in our residential and semi-independent Homes. Please note that it is against the law to apply for work with Children/Young People if you are barred from working in Regulated Activity and if your name is added to a Children Barred List. All shortlisted candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit a Self-Declaration and Disclosure form which will need to be returned prior to an interview being booked.
Major Gifts Lead, Fundraising Team in South West London employer: St. Christopher's Fellowship
Contact Detail:
St. Christopher's Fellowship Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Major Gifts Lead, Fundraising Team in South West London
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the fundraising sector, especially those who have experience with major gifts. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and mentors who can provide insights into the role and organisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Research St Christopher's and its mission thoroughly. Understanding their values and the impact of their work will help you articulate how your skills and experiences align with their goals during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully built and maintained relationships with high-value donors or corporate partners. Highlight your strategic approach and any innovative methods you've used to secure funding.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with current trends in fundraising, particularly in the charity sector. Being able to discuss these trends and how they might apply to St Christopher's will demonstrate your proactive approach and commitment to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Major Gifts Lead, Fundraising Team in South West London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and requirements. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Major Gifts Lead.
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement should directly address the criteria in the Person Specification. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your relationship management skills and fundraising successes.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your proven track record in securing significant income from major donors, trusts, foundations, or corporate partners. Be sure to include metrics or outcomes that showcase your impact in previous roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in fundraising roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at St. Christopher's Fellowship
✨Research St Christopher's
Before your interview, take the time to understand St Christopher's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their work in supporting children and young people in care, as well as their recent projects and initiatives. This will help you demonstrate your genuine interest in the organisation and how your values align with theirs.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
As a Major Gifts Lead, strong relationship management is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully built and maintained relationships with donors or partners. Highlight your ability to engage and inspire high-value supporters, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Prepare Compelling Proposals
Since you'll be responsible for preparing funding proposals and donor reports, practice articulating your approach to writing compelling narratives. Think about how you can tailor your proposals to meet the interests of potential funders, and be ready to discuss your writing process during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Fundraising
Express your enthusiasm for fundraising and your commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and young people. Share personal stories or motivations that drive your passion for this field, as this will resonate with the interviewers and show that you're not just looking for a job, but a meaningful career.
