Philanthropy Officer

RNLI; Poole; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

26 days annual leave

Pension

Life assurance

Health and dental cashplan

Training & Development

Job summary

RNLI is seeking a Philanthropy Officer to join our expanding Philanthropy Team. The role focuses on developing a new mid-level giving programme and growing a donor portfolio with gifts from £2k to £20k, targeting around 300 donors contributing £250k+.

You will create compelling funding proposals, work with Philanthropy Managers to identify larger gifts, and help deliver the fundraising strategy for the £150m capital appeal launching Spring 2027. Occasional UK & Ireland travel is expected.

Qualifications

• Experience writing high quality, compelling proposals and reports.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for building internal and external relationships.
• Experience working on own initiative and managing projects.
• Good understanding of financial reporting and managing your own income pipeline.

Responsibilities

• Developing and managing our new mid‑level giving programme.
• Growing a new portfolio around 300 donors worth £250k+, giving between £2‑20k.
• Creating exciting funding proposals and first‑class stewardship opportunities.
• Working closely with our Philanthropy Managers to support the prospecting of larger gifts.

Skills

Relationship building

Prospecting donors

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Job description

About Us

Our purpose is simple: to save lives at sea. 24 hours a day, every day, RNLI lifesavers are ready to launch to the rescue. We’re looking for a new Philanthropy Officer to join our expanding Philanthropy Team. The Philanthropy Team supports the RNLI by working with individuals who are passionate about our work and want to make a difference through high‑value gifts. We are entering into an exciting period with a £150m capital appeal campaign launching in Spring 2027. The Philanthropy team will play a vital role in this project and in the Mid‑Level programme you will be part of developing.

Some of the benefits

• Salary circa £35-41k (dependent on experience)
• Flexible working
• 26 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Competitive pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Health and dental cashplan option
• Training & Development in Mid‑Level and Major Giving

Your role

As a Philanthropy Officer you will be tasked with focus on the following areas:

• Developing and managing our new mid‑level giving programme
• Growing a new portfolio around 300 donors worth £250k+, giving between £2‑20k
• Creating exciting funding proposals and first‑class stewardship opportunities
• Working closely with our Philanthropy Managers to support the prospecting of larger gifts

About You

You’ll be someone who enjoys relationship building and prospecting for new business/donors, and happy to pick up the phone. A skilled and confident communicator who understands how to work with multiple stakeholders and briefing creative teams. Has a keen eye for detail. Is willing to undertake occasional travel/overnight stays across the UK and Ireland.

To be considered as a Philanthropy Officer you will need:

• Experience of writing high quality, compelling proposals and reports
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in building internal and external relationships
• Experience of working on own initiative and managing projects
• A good understanding of financial reporting and experience in managing your own income pipeline

So, as a Philanthropy Officer if you have the drive and enthusiasm to be part of our One Crew to achieve our Philanthropy goals, and want to see how you can support our organisation’s aim to reduce drowning, this could be the role for you.

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero‑tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world‑class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.