Philanthropy Lead (Principal Gifts)

Christians Against Poverty; Bradford; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Christians Against Poverty is seeking a Philanthropy Lead to enhance its fundraising efforts. You will engage with major donors, implement strategic initiatives, and foster significant relationships to support CAP's mission against poverty in the UK. This role requires strong interpersonal skills, a proven track record in fundraising, and a passion for the CAP mission.

Benefits

6.5% employer pension contribution

34 days annual holiday

Paid Mental Health days

Gym membership discount

Qualifications

• Proven track record in securing major gifts (5-6 figures).
• Minimum 3 years experience in high-value fundraising.
• Experience managing budgets and tracking performance.

Responsibilities

• Implement strategic plans to increase major donor income.
• Manage relationships with high-net-worth donors.
• Develop funding projects to attract major donor investment.

Skills

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Strategic planning

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

HND level or equivalent experience

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

CAP celebrates the value of diversity and our aim is for our workforce to be as inclusive as possible as well as representing the communities we serve. With this in mind, we welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from black and ethnic minority backgrounds. We are committed to continue building an environment that embraces diversity and includes all.

Context

We are building a church-based movement against poverty, delivering the right messages at the right times to inspire action and support. Our goal is to strengthen the CAP supporter and church movement to "Face it, Fight it, End it - Together."

We inspire our supporters to give, act, and pray, demonstrating hope to those burdened by debt and poverty. We highlight how God uses CAP to mobilise people and churches, transforming lives, churches, communities and society itself.

We are driven to raise the necessary funds and partnerships needed to achieve CAP's vision of transformed lives, thriving churches, and an end to UK poverty. We collaborate with other fundraising and communications teams to provide a fantastic and rewarding supporter experience.

Purpose

The Philanthropy Leads, reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, are responsible for inspiring new prospective, cultivating and stewarding high-value donors into greater involvement with Christians Against Poverty. They aim to draw supporters closer to the work we do, deepening their relationship and support of CAP. Income from CAP’s major donors is vital for the future expansion of CAP in the UK.

Each Philanthropy Lead may be allocated one or more area of Philanthropy engagement in order to specialise in, but will be expected to support in any area as required. Such areas include:

• Principle gifts

• Philanthropy prospecting and development

• Trusts and Foundations

Along with seeking direct support for the organisation Christians Against Poverty, there is also an expectation for the postholders to support the raising of funds for the wider movement, particularly for local Church frontline partners.

They themselves will be an experienced and confident relationship builder, communicator and fundraiser, cultivating relationships with high-value donors and partners to achieve ambitious targets.

Passion

Our supporters are more than donors, they are a crucial part of the work we do. We are passionate about ensuring our supporters feel connected, engaged, inspired and committed to tackling poverty in the UK through CAP. We want to give our supporters the best experience of Christians Against Poverty.

Responsibilities

Strategic Implementation & Fundraising

• Implementation of a strategic plan to significantly increase major donor income, with a target of 17.5% of overall revenue within 3 years.

• Implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy for major donor income, aligned with CAP's overall strategic priorities.

• Execution of market research and competitor analysis to identify new funding opportunities and best practice in Philanthropic fundraising.

• Build strong relationships with key internal stakeholders, in order to identify points of engagement and draft appropriate funding bids.

• Represent CAP at high-level events and conferences to build relationships with potential donors and partners.

Major Donor Development

• Manage a designated caseload of high-net-worth individuals or trusts, cultivating deep and meaningful relationships.

• Conduct face-to-face meetings, personalised communications, and bespoke stewardship plans to cultivate and steward major donors.

• Develop compelling restricted funding projects to attract major donor investment.

• Implement a donor recognition program to acknowledge and celebrate major donor support.

Philanthropy Team Membership

• A member of the Philanthropy Team of our Mission and Movement Directorate.

• Providing peer support and development with other members of the Philanthropy Team, fostering a high-performing and collaborative environment.

• Work with the Head of Philanthropy to set ambitious targets and KPIs for the postholder, ensuring they are aligned with overall fundraising goals.

• Ensure the timely submission of funding applications and effective stewardship of grant and donor relationships.

• Implement robust systems and processes for donor relationship management, data analysis, and performance tracking.

Impact & Reporting

• Ensure that the CRM is updated with engagements, proposal submissions and engagement plans in a timely fashion.

• Develop compelling narratives and impact reports that effectively communicate the impact of major donor support.

• Track and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of fundraising efforts and identify areas for improvement.

• Provide regular updates on fundraising progress to the Head of Philanthropy.

Innovation & Best Practices

• Stay abreast of current trends and best practices in major donor fundraising.

• Implement innovative fundraising strategies, such as engaging new philanthropists, digital engagement, corporate engagement and high-impact events.

• Evaluate philanthropy activities with the rest of the team and the Fundraising Insight & Innovation team to develop a deeper understanding of supporters and identify new prospects, making data-informed decisions.

• Champion a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the Philanthropy Team.

• Create opportunities for supporters to engage at a senior level and deepen their relationship with CAP, working with the CEO and other senior staff.

Communications & Campaign Management:

• Plan philanthropy initiatives that in order to produce excellent bids, proposals, events, and reports, delivered on time and within budget.

• Coordinate with the Brand and Digital Engagement teams to align messaging and campaigns.

• Ensure philanthropy plans align with brand guidelines and fundraising regulations.

Measurable Outputs:

• Implementation of an annual philanthropy plan that contributes to the wider long-term fundraising strategy.

• Deliver assigned agreed annual income targets for philanthropy which may include:

• Major Donor income

• Trusts & foundations income

• Corporate income

• Deliver key philanthropy targets including:

• Number of major donor prospects engaged and converted to a managed relationship

• % of major donor caseload met

• Number of trusts applied to

• Average gift size from major donors

Skills required

• A proven fundraiser who can inspire, influence and deliver results

• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, particularly in securing philanthropic support and building partnerships

• Excellent interpersonal skills to build strong and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders

• Excellent and passionate written and verbal communication skills

• Highly organised and able to manage competing priorities

• Strong financial literacy, including experience managing budgets, tracking performance and forecasting income

• Able to analyse complex situations, identify challenges, and make sound, data-driven decisions

• A high level of emotional intelligence

  Essential:

  
  

  • Proven track record of success in securing significant major gifts (5-6 figures) from high-net-worth individuals.

  • Minimum 3 years of experience in high-value fundraising.

  • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals.

  • Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.

  • Strong strategic planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills

  • Strong understanding of fundraising best practices and regulatory requirements.

  
  

  Desirable:

  
  

  • Experience of managing budgets for projects and campaigns.

  • Knowledge of fundraising databases and CRM systems and Salesforce in particular.

Educational requirements

Essential:

• HND level or equivalent experience of critical thinking

Desirable:

• A relevant qualification in fundraising/marketing or equivalent in a relevant discipline (communications, sales).

Rewards and wellbeing

CAP offer a generous Rewards & Well-being package, including:

• 6.5% employer pension contribution
• 34 days annual holiday (including flexible bank holidays)
• 1 additional days holiday for each full year of service (up to a max of 5 additional days)
• 2 paid Mental Health days and up to 5 days Family Emergency leave per year
• Paid ‘Revive’ days to take time out with your team during the year
• Enhanced paid sickness, maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Access to Employer Assistance Programme
• Gym membership discount
• Hybrid working
• Flexitime from day one (start/finish earlier or later in the day, accrue extra time off & achieve that work/life balance)
  
  plus many more! (see the rewards brochure below under ‘related documents’ for further information and pro-rata details for part time employees)

Genuine occupational requirements

Under the 2010 Equality Act, schedule 9, we have a genuine occupational requirement for all employees and volunteers to be practising Christians.
For further information, please contact the People & Culture team on 01274 760720 (option 6) or email [e-mail].
Information on genuine occupational requirements.

Diversity and inclusion

CAP celebrates the value of diversity and our aim is for our workforce to be as inclusive as possible as well as representing the communities we serve. With this in mind, we welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from black and ethnic minority backgrounds. We are committed to continue building an environment that embraces diversity and includes all.

Safeguarding

All adults working in, or on behalf of the CAP have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults. This includes a responsibility to ensure a safe environment in which CAP Services can be delivered, and identify children and adults where there may be safeguarding concerns and to follow the CAP Safeguarding Policy in addressing any concerns appropriately.