Grants Development Manager

ShelterBox; Truro; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

ShelterBox is seeking a proactive grant fundraiser to grow grants income from trusts and foundations. You will translate ShelterBox's disaster response work into compelling funding propositions, write high-quality proposals and reports, and collaborate across teams to build a strong funding pipeline.

This role reports to the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships and involves hybrid work with occasional UK travel.

Qualifications

• Experience writing grant proposals for trusts and foundations.
• Ability to translate complex programme information into compelling cases for support.
• Strong project management and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Develop, write and manage grant applications, proposals, reports and cases for support for trusts and foundations.
• Collaborate with Programme Delivery, Finance and Brand teams to gather information and budgets.
• Maintain a strong grant pipeline through prospect research and donor analysis.
• Shape funding strategies to support long-term income growth.
• Ensure timely delivery of applications, reports and donor deliverables.
• Support donor events and fundraising initiatives as needed.
• Monitor trends in funding landscape and adjust funding approaches.

Skills

Grant writing

Proposal development

Fundraising research

Copywriting

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Tools

CRM software

Budget tracking tools

Job description

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week (Flexible working considered)

Position type: Fixed Term for 12 months (Flexibility around start date)

Direct reports: None

Location: Remote (UK only) or based in our HQ in Truro (hybrid). Occasional travel within the UK may be required. Two visits minimum per year to Truro HQ will be required.

ROLE PURPOSE:

Sitting within our Philanthropy & Partnerships team, you will play a pivotal role in growing and diversifying income from trusts, foundations and other grant‑making organisations, helping to ensure no one is without shelter after disaster.

Shelter is one of the most fundamental human needs and one of the most tangible ways supporters can help families affected by conflict, disaster and climate‑related crises. This role offers the opportunity to translate ShelterBox's powerful humanitarian mission, compelling programme work and proven impact into inspiring funding propositions that unlock support from some of the UK's most influential funders.

This role is responsible for leading the development of high‑quality, compelling funding applications and reports that bring our work to life, securing and sustaining grant income for ShelterBox. Working closely with colleagues across Philanthropy & Partnerships, Programme Delivery, Finance and Brand & Content teams, you will develop a deep understanding of our programmes and partnerships, getting under the skin of ShelterBox's work and transforming complex information into compelling cases for support – demonstrating need, impact and value for money.

Drawing on a rich and diverse portfolio of programmes, you will create tailored funding propositions that resonate with a wide range of funders and priorities including climate resilience, locally led actions and the safety of women and girls. You will also shape ShelterBox’s future funding pipeline proactively identifying and researching prospective grant funders building and maintaining a strong pipeline of funding opportunities, connecting funder interests with some of the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges.

You will oversee grant development and management processes, ensuring applications, reports and funding requirements are delivered to a consistently high standard and within agreed deadlines. Working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, you will play a key role in strengthening our approach to securing and stewarding grant funding.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We are looking for a passionate, proactive and highly skilled writer who can develop compelling cases for support that inspire funders to invest in ShelterBox's work.

You will have a talent for translating complex programme information, budgets and impact data into clear, persuasive and engaging funding proposals and reports. A confident communicator, you will be comfortable working with colleagues across multiple teams, quickly building an understanding of ShelterBox’s programmes, identifying compelling narratives and developing high‑quality applications that maximise our chances of success.

You will be a self‑starter who enjoys getting stuck in, learning quickly and taking ownership of a varied workload. With excellent project management skills and exceptional attention to detail, you will coordinate multiple funding opportunities simultaneously, ensuring applications and reports are delivered to the highest standard and on time.

Working as part of an established and successful trusts and foundations programme, you will help build on strong existing funder relationships while developing new opportunities for growth. This is a perfect opportunity for an experienced grant fundraiser, bid writer or fundraising professional who enjoys crafting winning proposals and wants to play a pivotal role in securing significant funding that enables ShelterBox to support families who have lost their homes to disaster.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• Develop, write and submit high‑quality grant applications, proposals, concept notes, reports and cases for support for trusts, foundations and other grant‑making organisations, that bring ShelterBox's work to life and inspire funders to invest in our mission – ensuring all submissions are compelling, evidence‑based and tailored to funder priorities.
• Work closely with across teams (such as Programme Delivery, Finance and Brand & Content teams) to gather information, develop budgets and create compelling funding propositions aligned to donor priorities.
• Develop and maintain a strong pipeline of grant opportunities through proactive prospect research, funder analysis and relationship mapping, working closely with the Stewardship & Research Officer and Philanthropy & Partnerships Assistant to identify, qualify, prioritise and progress funding prospects.
• Work with the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships and Senior Philanthropy & Partnerships Manager to shape and deliver grant funding strategies that support long‑term income growth.
• Take ownership of key deadlines, ensuring applications, reports and other donor deliverables are effectively planned, coordinated and submitted on time.
• Oversee a portfolio of Trusts & Foundations grant management and data processes, including maintaining accurate CRM records, tracking the pipeline and applications, monitoring restricted income secured, managing reporting requirements and deadlines, and providing clear, timely information for internal reports and KPI dashboards.
• Support the development of organisational case for support materials, funding frameworks and proposal templates that strengthen fundraising effectiveness.
• Provide occasional support to donor events, cultivation activities and other Philanthropy & Partnerships team initiatives as required.
• Identify trends, opportunities and emerging funding priorities within the trusts and foundations funding landscape, providing insight and recommendations that help shape ShelterBox's high‑level funding approaches.
• Work towards agreed income targets and support the management of the Trusts & Foundations budget.
• Keep up to date on developments and trends in international development, with particular focus on the disaster response, shelter and climate sectors.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as may be required.