Freelance Fundraiser

Shieldfield Art Works (SAW) is a project of the Methodist Church in Newcastle upon Tyne which is seeking the wellbeing of the city through creative practice. We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic individual to build up Shieldfield Art Work’s fundraising programme and contribute to our strategy. This is a vital part of our work as we seek to become more sustainable and resilient in an ever challenging climate. 

Our ideal candidate will have good experience in developing and implementing a robust fundraising strategy in order to take the strategic fundraising work of our community arts hub into a new chapter. You will also be able to articulate your active Christian faith, be able to explain SAW's Christian ministry and show ability to be able to write for both Christian and secular funders with different priorties.

You will need to be self-motivated and confident in your expertise. The role is suitable for candidates who are experienced in larger and multi-year applications to trusts and foundations (ideally in the cultural sector), developing individual giving campaigns and CSR channels, cultivating donor relationships and a good storyteller, to tell the story of and champion SAW. You must be motivated particularly by the social impact and outreach work that we deliver.

Closing Date: Tuesday 10th February, 10am

Location: At SAW/remote working

Contract Type: 12-month fixed-term

Period of work: March 2026 - February 2027

Rate of pay: £41,600 - £52,000 pro rata at 40 hours per week (£20-£25 per hour) based on experience

Number of days: 52 days, 8 hours per day

For full information on this role, including key responsibilities and person specification, please view the job pack.

About SAW

Shieldfield Art Works (SAW) is a project of the Methodist Church in Newcastle upon Tyne which is seeking the good of the city through creative practice. We are a team of artists who support others to be creative, and use our creativity to support others. We believe that the arts help us to articulate what it is to be human and that arts participation enables joy and flourishing in unique and unexpected ways. We are blessed with a gallery, workshop room and garden on our site in Shieldfield and so try to organise ways for these assets to be a blessing to our local community.

As a Christian organisation we believe each and every person has inherent worth, bearing the image of our creator. This motivates us to listen to and seek out those whose stories may not be being heard, so that we may better understand and love those around us.

We are particularly committed to our area of Newcastle, Shieldfield, just east of the city centre. We devise and commission art projects that tell Shieldfield’s story, and consider how stories from our local area relate to life outside of Shieldfield. In attempting to reflect a God who is interested in all areas of life, we are interested in the micro to the macro – art that speaks truths about the human condition, to art which speaks to the condition of our planet, and everything in between.

Our site in Shieldfield comprises a gallery, workshop room and community garden, from which we run:

• Four sessions of Painting for Fun each week

• Twice monthly Craft Action Collective sessions

• Gardening sessions (Shieldfield Grows) every week, with a pause in winter

• SAW Reflects events which provide time and space for deep thinking and conversation

• A programme of exhibitions in our gallery that changes throughout the year

• Our community garden is open to visitors all year round.