Senior Trust and Foundations Officer

About the role 

The Prince’s Countryside Fund wishes to appoint a Senior Trust and Foundations Officer to help deliver our ambitious plans for growth. Working with the Senior Manager, External Affairs, a Development Committee, and as part of a small fundraising team, we are seeking a detail-oriented, proactive and personable person to join our team, to manage our portfolio of existing trust funders and identify and apply for new streams of funding. 

The postholder will have a track record of securing gifts from trusts and foundations; experience of researching and identifying new funding opportunities; and excellent written and oral communication skills in dealing with internal and external stakeholders. They will ensure that all secured grants are well-managed and effectively reported on, and that new funding opportunities are assessed and responded to in collaboration with colleague across the charity.

Core to this role will be writing successful bids and applications to secure grants, managing relationships with funders and evaluating and reporting on funded projects. The postholder will have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present complex information clearly, concisely and persuasively, tailoring their style and content to a range of audiences.

Since its establishment by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2010, The Prince’s Countryside Fund has carved out a niche position as a national charity which aims to improve the prospects of family farm businesses and the quality of rural life. We are committed to promoting a confident, robust and sustainable agricultural and rural community which is universally appreciated for its vital contribution to the British way of life and fit to support future generations.

Key elements of the role will be to: 

• Conduct research into new funders for the PCF, working with the Development Committee and using database intelligence

• Proactively explore new avenues for funding; managing and leading the identification of, and approaches to, trusts and foundations, and/or institutional donors

• Prepare and deliver targeted funding applications to trusts, foundations, and/or institutional donors working with the programme teams and, where relevant, directly with partner organisations

• Meet income targets as part of the PCF’s wider fundraising strategy

• Lead on the reporting to trusts, foundations, and/or institutional donors on the delivery of funded projects, drafting high quality reports

• Accurately recording new leads, applications, reporting deadlines and other communication in Salesforce

• Create reports for quarterly Development Committee and Board meetings as required

• Form relationships with PCF’s funders to ensure effective stewardship and work proactively to exceed funder expectations

• Contribute to the implementation of the Fund’s wider fundraising strategy, working with the Senior Manager, External Affairs and the Executive Director.

About you 

This is an exciting, fast-paced and varied role, ideal for someone with a background in trusts and foundations. The post-holder will have outstanding relationship management and commercial skills, be comfortable dealing with senior level executives and have a mature, professional and credible manner. An interest in the countryside, natural environment and rural issues is desirable.