At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising efforts to support a joy revolution combating urban isolation in London.
- Company: Join SUNSHINE, a vibrant movement dedicated to spreading positivity and connection.
- Benefits: Gain elite corporate exposure, enhance your CV, and enjoy ultimate flexibility.
- Other info: Work remotely with a small team, dedicating just 2-3 hours a week.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by securing resources for life-saving community initiatives.
- Qualifications: Confident communicator, proactive strategist, and passionate about social impact.
Location: Remote (with networking, corporate pitches, and occasional pop-up presence in the inner London area)
Commitment: 2–3 hours per week (Highly flexible, asynchronous corporate and grant tracking)
Salary: Voluntary (with elite corporate fundraising experience, unmatched executive CV capital, and a direct hand in financing a life‑saving movement)
The Spark: Why We Need You
London is one of the most economically powerful cities on Earth. Yet underneath the glittering corporate skylines of Canary Wharf and the City, it is facing a quiet human crisis. In boroughs like Tower Hamlets, nearly 40% of our neighbours report feeling chronically lonely and isolated. For many adults aged 16+, urban isolation is a heavy, daily reality. We are SUNSHINE, and we are here to smash that isolation with pure, unadulterated, radical positivity! We take over public parks, unused spaces and high streets with high‑vibrancy weekend pop-ups—bringing bright neon t-shirts, upbeat music, handmade positive quote cards, and literal bubble machines directly to the pavement to turn strangers into neighbours. Our blueprint is set, our outreach channels are open, and our volunteers are ready to deploy. Now, we need our engine. We need a proactive, ambitious, and highly driven Fundraising & CSR Partnerships Manager to unlock the capital, resources, and corporate backing needed to fuel this joy revolution and keep our services 100% free.
Your Mission: What You’ll Do
- As our founding Fundraising Lead, you will sit on our core Founding Committee, guiding a small task force of 3–4 volunteers to build SUNSHINE’s financial pipeline.
- You will work side‑by‑side with the Founder to:
- Target Canary Wharf & the City: Build relationships with corporate sustainability teams and tech startups across the financial districts to pitch SUNSHINE for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships, office fundraising days, or payroll giving.
- Secure Gifts-in‑Kind: Approach local businesses, printers, and retailers to secure essential physical donations—including arts and crafts stationery, marketing print runs, clothing, or venue space for indoor winter socials.
- Write the Grants: Lead the charge on researching and submitting punchy, data‑driven applications for small trust funds and local micro‑grants (like the National Lottery Awards for All or local council pots).
- Activate Community Giving: Manage our public digital giving platforms (like JustGiving or Buy Me A Coffee) and promote our Amazon Charity Wishlist so everyday donors can fund physical event gear easily.
- Track the Pipeline: Maintain a clean, shared Google Sheet tracking your applications, incoming donations, and corporate pitch timelines.
Who You Are (The Perfect Fit)
You do not need to be a seasoned corporate lobbyist or a professional philanthropist. We are looking for a human who is:
- A Confident Pitcher: You are articulate, professional, and comfortable writing compelling outreach letters, speaking to local managers, or presenting a 5-slide pitch deck to corporate teams.
- Proactive & Strategic: You don't wait for funds to appear. You love mapping out opportunities—from a £500 council grant to a major Canary Wharf CSR initiative—and taking the initiative to go after them.
- Meticulously Organised: You are comfortable tracking deadlines, managing simple pipelines on spreadsheets, and coordinating a small, skilled task force to hit targets.
- Deeply Passionate About Impact: You understand that every pound or physical asset secured translates directly into more bubbles, more quote cards, and more lifelines for lonely Londoners.
Why Lead With Us?
- High-Value Corporate Exposure: You will interface directly with corporate social responsibility (CSR) executives, corporate foundations, and high-net-worth local businesses, building elite contacts across London.
- Elite CV Portfolio Power: Demonstrating that you designed and executed the founding fundraising framework for a fast‑scaling London movement is an unmatched asset for any career in finance, sales, business development, or non‑profit management.
- Ultimate Flexibility: Manage your emails, grant writing, and research entirely on your own terms. Fit this contribution seamlessly around your corporate career, freelance life, or studies.
- Pure Joy: You will be the financial backbone of this entire movement. Every single smile on our "Sunshine Benches" will be a direct result of the capital and resources you unlocked.
Ready to Fuel the Joy Revolution? Let’s make something beautiful together.
FUNDRAISING & CSR PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER (The Growth Catalyst) - VOLUNTEER ROLE employer: Ygam
Ygam is an exceptional employer for university students looking to make a meaningful impact while gaining valuable experience. As a Volunteer Student Ambassador, you will be part of a supportive and dynamic team that fosters personal growth and encourages creativity in addressing important social issues. With opportunities to engage with peers, develop content, and participate in events, you'll not only enhance your skills but also contribute to a vital cause within your university community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land FUNDRAISING & CSR PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER (The Growth Catalyst) - VOLUNTEER ROLE
✨Tap into Local Charities
Get involved with local charities or non-profits in your area. Many organisations are always on the lookout for volunteers to help with fundraising events. This is a perfect opportunity to gain hands-on experience in fundraising while making meaningful connections in the community.
✨Join Fundraising Networks
Join online communities and networks focused on fundraising. Platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook groups, and even local meetups can be great places to connect with experienced fundraisers. You'll find tips, share ideas, and may come across opportunities specifically looking for volunteers.
✨Show Passion at Events
Attend fundraising events or workshops in your area, even if you're just a participant. Showing up and being active helps us identify potential volunteers. Don’t hesitate to chat with organisers and offer your support; your enthusiasm could land you a volunteer spot on the spot!
✨Get in Touch with Ygam
Don’t forget to check out the volunteer opportunities available at Ygam! Apply through our website, and make sure to highlight any relevant experience or skills related to fundraising. We love seeing proactive volunteers ready to make a difference!
We think you need these skills to ace FUNDRAISING & CSR PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER (The Growth Catalyst) - VOLUNTEER ROLE
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:When applying for a volunteer role in fundraising development, we want to see your enthusiasm for the organisation's mission. Share experiences that highlight your commitment to similar causes, whether through previous volunteer work or personal projects. It’ll help us understand your motivation and how it aligns with our goals at Ygam.
Highlight Relevant Skills:Fundraising involves a mix of skills like communication, organisational abilities, and some level of marketing insight. Make sure to showcase any experience that demonstrates these skills—maybe you've organised community events or collaborated with teams for awareness campaigns. Tie them back to how they'd benefit your contribution to Ygam.
Tailor Your CV for Volunteer Work:Don’t just send the same CV you’d use for a paid position! Focus on relevant volunteer experiences, skills, and any training that’s pertinent to fundraising. Highlight your motivations and willingness to learn, as we value those qualities in our volunteers at Ygam.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Volunteering often involves flexible commitments, so be upfront about when you can lend a hand. Whether you can volunteer weekly, monthly, or for one-off events, let us know in your application to help us organise our efforts at Ygam effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ygam
✨Understand the Cause
Before heading into your chat with Ygam, make sure you really connect with their mission and goals. Being a volunteer in fundraising means that your passion for the cause needs to shine through—be prepared to share why this specific initiative is important to you!
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Even as a volunteer, it's all about how your past experiences can contribute to fundraising efforts. Think about any previous volunteer work, community service, or relevant skills you've gained—bring these examples with you and highlight how they can benefit Ygam.
✨Be Ready to Brainstorm
In fundraising roles, creative thinking is key. Expect to be asked about your ideas for fundraising events or how you would engage the community. Prepare a few concepts in advance that showcase your creativity and understanding of the audience—this will help you stand out!
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment
As a volunteer, they're looking for genuine commitment and enthusiasm. Be ready to discuss your availability and how you plan to engage with their team. Showing how you can dedicate your time and energy to them will help build confidence in your ability to contribute.
