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- Tasks: Manage relationships with major donors and trusts to secure significant funding.
- Company: Join a leading UK charity dedicated to supporting blind and partially sighted individuals.
- Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative environment, creative freedom, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape transformational giving and help create a world without barriers for those in need.
- Qualifications: Proven success in securing major gifts and exceptional communication skills required.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive recruitment practices ensure equal opportunity for all applicants.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re proud to be partnering with one of the UK's most established and well-known charity brands to recruit passionate Major Gifts and Trusts specialists into their Strategic Relationships & Philanthropy team. These roles offer the chance to shape transformational giving at one of the UK’s most impactful charities, helping create a world without barriers for blind and partially sighted people. Whether your experience lies in major donor fundraising or trusts and foundations, they offer a collaborative environment where you’ll be supported to build long-term partnerships, secure significant income, and drive meaningful change.
Both roles contribute to a team income target of over £2m, with strong internal support and the freedom to develop creative approaches to engaging funders.
Philanthropy Manager – Major GiftsYou’ll lead on managing and developing a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, philanthropists, and senior volunteers, securing both single and multi-year gifts in excess of £10,000. Through strategic relationship-building and compelling stewardship, you’ll deepen donor engagement and help shape the future of major giving.
Key responsibilities include:- Cultivating and stewarding a portfolio of HNWIs and major donor prospects
- Creating tailored proposals and presentations that align with donor interests
- Working cross-organisationally to uncover funding opportunities and build cases for support
- Representing the charity at events and in donor meetings to drive engagement and build trust
This role would suit a confident relationship-builder with excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, as well as the creativity to identify new prospects and opportunities.
Philanthropy Manager – TrustsYou’ll take ownership of a portfolio of national and regional trusts and foundations, writing compelling proposals and reports that secure grants of £25,000+. In this role, you’ll also line-manage a Philanthropy Officer, helping grow income from smaller trusts and stewarding long-term support for the charity's work.
Key responsibilities include:- Managing and growing a pipeline of charitable trusts and foundations
- Drafting persuasive, tailored proposals and delivering timely, accurate reporting
- Building and nurturing long-term relationships with funders through creative stewardship
- Line managing and mentoring a Philanthropy Officer to support team income growth
This role would suit someone with excellent written communication, a strategic mindset, and a passion for translating programme work into inspiring funding opportunities.
What We’re Looking ForEssential for both roles:- Proven success securing five- and six-figure gifts from either major donors or trusts
- Exceptional communication skills—whether writing proposals or engaging funders in person
- Experience developing tailored, compelling cases for support based on funder priorities
- Ability to build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to uncover fundable work
- Strong organisational skills with the initiative to manage a busy portfolio independently
- A collaborative, proactive mindset and a genuine passion for the mission
- Experience line-managing or mentoring others (for the Trusts role)
- Familiarity with CRM systems and donor reporting tools
- Experience representing an organisation externally at events or donor meetings
To be considered for this position please apply with your CV as soon as possible, regrettably please note we may not be able to reply to each and every application. We are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practises that ensure equal opportunity for everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and will happily make reasonable adjustments to always ensure a fair process.
Philanthropy Manager - Major Donors / Trusts employer: THE TALENT SET
Contact Detail:
THE TALENT SET Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Philanthropy Manager - Major Donors / Trusts
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the charity sector, especially those who have experience in major donor fundraising or trusts. Attend relevant events and engage in conversations to learn about their experiences and insights, which can help you understand what the organisation values in a Philanthropy Manager.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the charity's mission and recent projects thoroughly. This will enable you to speak passionately about how your skills and experiences align with their goals during interviews and networking opportunities, showcasing your genuine interest in their work.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully secured significant gifts or built relationships with high-net-worth individuals or trusts. Use metrics and outcomes to demonstrate your impact, as this will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with CRM systems and donor reporting tools that are commonly used in the charity sector. Being knowledgeable about these tools can give you an edge, as it shows your readiness to manage a busy portfolio effectively from day one.
We think you need these skills to ace Philanthropy Manager - Major Donors / Trusts
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in major donor fundraising or trusts and foundations. Emphasise your successes in securing significant gifts and your ability to build strong relationships.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the charity's mission. Include specific examples of how you've successfully engaged high-net-worth individuals or secured grants from trusts, demonstrating your strategic mindset.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since exceptional communication is essential for this role, ensure your application reflects your ability to write persuasive proposals and reports. Use clear, concise language and provide examples of your written work if possible.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: Mention any experience you have working cross-organisationally or managing teams. This will demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively and support income growth, which is crucial for the roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at THE TALENT SET
✨Know Your Donors
Before the interview, research the charity's major donors and trusts. Understand their interests and past contributions to tailor your responses and demonstrate your knowledge of their philanthropic goals.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience in writing proposals and engaging with funders. Bring examples of successful communications you've had in the past, as this role heavily relies on exceptional communication skills.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Abilities
Be ready to share specific examples of how you've built and maintained relationships with high-net-worth individuals or trusts. Highlight your interpersonal skills and any creative approaches you've used to engage donors.
✨Align with the Charity's Mission
Express your passion for the charity's mission and how it resonates with you personally. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goal of creating a world without barriers for blind and partially sighted people.
