Fundraiser

Job title
: Fundraiser

Salary
: £30,000 per annum (pro rata for part-time)

Hours:
Full-time (35 hours per week) or part-time

Location
: Hybrid – remote working with a requirement to attend in-person meetings in Haslingden, Lancashire once a month (alternative locations by agreement), plus occasional travel for events or meetings

Reports to:
Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for:
No direct reports

Contract type:
Permanent Role Summary

This is a brand new role we've created for an experienced, self-motivated and strategic fundraiser to build a comprehensive fundraising function within a growing charity. You'll lead on the development, implementation and evaluation of a fundraising strategy that secures income across a range of sources including individual giving, corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, community fundraising, events, and digital campaigns. Working closely with the CEO, Trustees and a small, committed team, you'll embed fundraising as a central part of the Foundation's operations and culture. This role is perfect for someone who's comfortable working independently, enjoys building relationships and wants to play a key part in shaping the future of a socially impactful charity.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategy development and leadership

• Design and lead a long-term fundraising strategy that supports our objectives, values and mission

• Identify priority income streams and establish own targets, timelines and performance indicators

• Monitor and evaluate progress against strategic growth and fundraising plans, adapting where needed and reporting regularly to the CEO and Board of Trustees

1. Trusts, grants and foundations

• Proactively research and identify relevant funding opportunities from charitable trusts, foundations, statutory bodies and public sector funds

• Prepare high-quality, tailored funding applications and grant proposals with clear budgets and outcomes
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, ensuring excellent stewardship, compliance with grant conditions and timely reporting

• Maintain an active calendar of deadlines, renewals and reporting requirements

1. Individual giving and donor engagement

• Develop and grow a base of individual supporters through regular giving, legacy giving and one-off donations

• Plan and implement donor journeys that include meaningful engagement, impact communication and appreciation

• Manage supporter data using appropriate CRM systems, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and GDPR compliance

1. Corporate partnerships and sponsorships

• Identify and approach potential corporate partners that align with our values and community

• Develop sponsorship packages and proposals tailored to specific sectors or businesses

• Manage corporate relationships to ensure mutual benefit, sustained engagement and measurable impact.

1. Fundraising events and community initiatives

• Plan and deliver fundraising events, both in-person and online, to raise awareness and generate income

• Support and inspire community-led fundraising activity, including volunteer fundraisers

• Develop fundraising materials and guidance to support third-party initiatives

1. Digital fundraising and campaigns

• Lead on digital fundraising activities, including online appeals and social media campaigns

• Collaborate with colleagues especially our Social Media Manager to align messaging and maximise digital reach and engagement

• Use data insights to refine campaigns and improve conversion rates

1. Administration, compliance and reporting

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all fundraising activities, income, correspondence and reporting deadlines

• Ensure all fundraising activities comply with current legislation, best practice, and ethical standards

• Prepare regular internal reports for CEO and Trustees and external reports for funders and stakeholders

• Contribute to financial forecasting and budget planning with the CEO

1. Internal collaboration and organisational development

• Work in close partnership with the CEO and small team to integrate fundraising with programme delivery and advocacy

• Support internal capacity-building through training or guidance to staff, ambassadors and volunteers on fundraising principles

• Take part in staff meetings, planning days and strategy sessions as needed

• Be an ambassador for us, representing the charity at events, conferences and in the media when needed Person specification Essential experience and knowledge

• Demonstrable and significant experience in a professional fundraising role in the nonprofit/charity sector
• Proven success in securing income from a range of sources, with at least one of the following: grants/trusts, corporate partnerships or community fundraising

• Strong knowledge of fundraising regulation, data protection (GDPR) and best practice

• Experience of developing and implementing fundraising strategies and plans

• Experience of writing high-quality grant applications, reports and stewardship communications Essential skills and attributes

• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to write persuasively for different audiences

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop meaningful relationships with diverse stakeholders including donors, funders, ambassadors, volunteers and community partners

• High level of self-motivation and initiative – able to work independently and manage workload efficiently

• Strong organisational and project management skills – able to prioritise competing deadlines and consistently deliver high-quality work

• Numerate and confident in preparing budgets, interpreting financial information and tracking income

• Confident using digital tools and CRM systems to manage supporter data and fundraising processes Values and personal qualities

• Deep commitment to our mission to challenge prejudice and promote inclusion, empathy and equality

• Respectful and inclusive in approach, with cultural sensitivity

• Willingness to be hands-on in a small team and to work flexibly to support the wider goals of the charity

• Curious and creative, open to trying new approaches and learning from others

• Resilience and integrity, particularly when working with emotionally charged issues such as hate speech and discrimination Desirable (but not essential)

• Knowledge or experience of hate crime policy, diversity and inclusion work or working with alternative subcultures

• Experience of digital fundraising platforms

• Experience of working in a small or start-up business where you've built something from scratch Working at The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

We offer:

• A supportive and inclusive working environment

• Flexible hours and hybrid working arrangements

• Regular supervision

• The chance to work closely with senior leadership and shape the future of a growing charity

• The opportunity to contribute meaningfully to work that supports marginalised communities

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter (maximum two pages) to

Your covering letter should outline:

• Why you're interested in this role and working us

• How your experience aligns with the responsibilities and person specification

• What your priorities would be in the first three months in the role

Deadline: 24 October 2025

We actively welcome applications from all backgrounds, particularly from those who have experienced discrimination, belong to alternative subcultures or come from communities underrepresented in the charity sector.