Grants and Major Donors Manager

SEBASTIAN’S ACTION TRUST

SENIOR TRUST AND GRANT OFFICER

About us:

We are a registered charity providing specialist respite holidays and practical and emotional support to seriously-ill children and their families.  The children and young people we support battle with life-limiting or life threatening conditions, whilst their parents and carers provide around the clock care to help them. 

The aim of our charity is to walk beside families of life-limited and seriously-ill children from diagnosis, through treatment and beyond.

The charity was formed in 2004 to fulfil the last wish of nine-year-old Sebastian Gates to build a holiday home that would give other children a chance to enjoy precious time with their families.  Our respite holiday house, The Bluebells, opened in July 2011and is now welcoming families with very sick children from all over the country.

We are also committed to a programme of practical support, helping families in the community in a variety of different ways; including transportation to and from specialist hospitals, equipment provision, wellbeing therapies for parents and support for siblings.

Job Summary:

Sebastian’s Action Trust is seeking an experienced Senior Trust & Grants Fundraising Officer to enable the organisation to consolidate and expand its work through a

diversified funding portfolio. Reporting to the CEO you will take responsibility for raising funds from trusts, grants, institutional funders and other suitable funding organisations. Consequently, we need a person with a proven track record in researching, collating, preparing and submitting multiple grant/funding application forms along with strong monitoring and evaluation skills. You must possess a high level of written English with well developed communication skills. You will be prospecting, building and maintaining relationships with funders and funding bodies.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and research new trusts, foundations and institutional funding

opportunities.

• Develop compelling cases for support, writing tailored applications for  submission to trusts and other funding bodies.
• Submit timely reports to trusts and other donors to meet their monitoring

and evaluation requirements.

• Build and maintain long-term relationships with new and existing

funding/grant making organisations.

• Work closely with all departments to help develop and implement the

fundraising strategy.

• To maintain an up to date knowledge of the funding climate and sources of

available funding.

• To network and meet with partners, funders and organisations to ensure

Sebastian’s Action Trust  is well connected in funding circles.

• To maintain regular communication with funders to facilitate the

development of long-term relationships.

• To attend appropriate  conferences, workshops and other events beneficial

to generating funding through trusts, foundations and institutions.

Fundraising & Monitoring

• To develop and expand our existing database of major donors, trusts, foundations, institutional funders and other funding bodies
• To develop a deep understanding of Sebastian’s Action Trust  work  and work closely with CEO, Finance and Family Services to identify

areas where funding is required.

• To develop a rolling work stream of funding opportunities to target.
• To write bespoke applications to meet the funding needs of Sebastian’s Action Trust
• To work closely internally and with  partners to ensure that projects

deliver the outcomes and outputs for which funding was granted.

• To work closely with Finance and Family Services to submit regular and

accurate monitoring and evaluation reports to funders as per their

requirements.

• To develop excellent relationships with existing and new funders.
• To maintain accurate records and update the database accordingly.
• To actively participate in the development and implementation of the

organisation’s fundraising strategy.

Person Specification – Essential Criteria

• Proven experience and a recent track record of success in raising funds

from trusts, foundations and institutions for at least 3 years.

• To have enjoyed success in applying for funding to a range of organisations

including large institutional funders such as Comic Relief, Big Lottery Fund

Children in Need etc.

• A good knowledge and understanding of the voluntary sector funding

environment and available income streams.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to clearly

convey concepts and inspire others to contribute.

• Excellent writing and proof reading skills
• Financially literate with the ability to produce and understand budgets
• Well organised with a high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise own

workload, deal with conflicting demands and work under pressure to meet

tight deadlines with very little direct supervision.

• The ability to work to a schedule of deliverables where requirements can

change.

• Strong analytical, problem solving skills and methodical research skills with

the ability to think creatively and strategically.

• A high standard of general education.
• Excellent IT skills including MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint.
• A willingness to work flexibly and proactively and respond to the emerging

needs of the charity and our supporters.

• The ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• A creative, enthusiastic and motivated ‘can-do’ approach.
• Sustain good working relationships at a distance as well as in person.
• An empathy with the aim, objectives and activities of Sebastian’s Action Trust

Remuneration Package:

• This position would suit full (5 days) or part time (3 days). Flexible hours will be considered.
• Up to £50,000 per annum pro rata, depending on experience.
• Contributory pension.
• Death in service benefit.
• 20 days holiday plus extra days given to accommodate Christmas/New Year closure

Sebastian’s Action Trust confirms its commitment to equality of opportunity in all areas of its work. All individuals will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation.