Fundraiser

We The Curious is launching an exciting new phase in our mission to connect and empower everyone through shared creative science learning experiences. We are celebrating our 25th Anniversary Year with community outreach projects and major capital initiatives, and we need a dedicated Fundraiser to help maximize and unlock new opportunities.

Location & Working Pattern

Hybrid – 2 days a week in our Bristol Harbourside office, remainder flexible from home.

Department & Reporting

Development – reporting to the Head of Development.

Hours

Part-time, 22.5 hours per week (0.6 FTE) with flexible days and occasional out‑of‑hours work, including travel.

About the Role

The Development Team manages fundraising across the organisation, stewarding donors and supporters. This role focuses on engaging businesses and developing mutually beneficial corporate partnerships, corporate trusts and foundations.

Role Specific Responsibilities

• Research new funding opportunities, ensuring alignment with our charitable purpose and Ethical Policies.
• Cultivate potential funders, organising on‑site visits, events and phone calls, and delivering presentations.
• Work closely with the team to develop corporate engagement products such as sponsorship, membership and giving schemes.
• Prepare and adapt funding proposals to meet deadlines and specific application criteria.
• Coordinate with internal departmental teams to ensure proposals accurately reflect project objectives.
• Develop stewardship plans for new and existing donors, ensuring recognition and reporting requirements are met.
• Support migration of team records into our CRM, Tessitura, keeping information up‑to‑date.
• Occasionally support and attend events during and outside normal working hours.
• Maintain knowledge of planned activities across the organisation to present work persuasively to funders.
• Contribute to annual strategies and business planning for the Development Team.

General Responsibilities

• Embodiment of our values: Collaborative, Creative, Inquisitive, Playful, Progressive.
• Compliance with safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Promote charity messaging in partnership with Development and Marketing.
• Ensure GDPR compliance for fundraising data.
• Occasional out‑of‑hours work and travel to events.

Qualifications & Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to research and analyse businesses, employing impartial reasoning to identify potential partnerships.
• Excellent organisational and multi‑tasking abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams.
• Experience with income budgets, audited accounts and internal financial reports.
• Experience developing business‑focused products or services.
• Experience working with CRM databases.
• Commitment to the mission of making science learning inclusive.
• No prior fundraising experience required – we welcome enthusiastic, proactive candidates.

Application Process

Deadline: 11.59 pm on Sunday 23 November 2025.
Interview window: week starting 8th December 2025 at our Bristol office.
Start date: approximately 6th January 2026.

Applications are submitted via our online form. We request answers to the following (word limits in brackets):
• Why would you like to work as a Fundraiser for We The Curious? (300 words)
• What skills and experience will you bring? (400 words)
• Provide an example of a collaborative project or proposal you delivered. (300 words)
• How would you engage a business partner? (300 words)
We do not review CVs or cover letters.

Support During the Process

We The Curious is a Disability Confident Employer. We will guarantee an interview to applicants who disclose a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the role. Reasonable adjustments can be made throughout the application and selection process. Examples of adjustments include alternative formats, extra time for tasks and providing detailed expectations.

Including Everyone

We welcome applications from people of all lived experiences, especially those under‑represented in the science centre sector, including but not limited to African and African‑Caribbean heritage, South Asian and East Asian heritage, Global Majority, Disabled, visually impaired, LGBTQIA+ and non‑binary, working class background, and first‑generation university attendees.

Working with us

Staff benefits include hybrid working, cycle‑to‑work scheme, free flu jab and eye tests, paid sick leave, mental health first aiders, and confidential Employee Support Programme.

Leave

25 days holiday pro‑rated, plus bank holidays.

Seniority level

Entry level

Employment type

Part‑time

Job function

Other – Development / Fundraising

Industries

Museums, historical sites and zoos