Trusts and Foundations Manager

Depaul International; Greater London, Manchester, North East; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

26 days annual leave

Pension scheme with employer 7%

Job summary

Depaul UK is seeking a Trusts and Foundations Manager to secure major grants and grow sustainable income. You will manage a portfolio of high-value funders, write compelling funder proposals, and lead a small team to achieve ambitious targets.

The role offers flexible working, with locations across the UK, and a chance to shape lifelong support for young people experiencing homelessness.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering fundraising targets (e.g. £500K+).
• Experience in securing major grants and building trust relationships.
• Strong bid writing and case-for-support development.

Responsibilities

• Deliver against set objectives and KPIs for the trusts team.
• Manage a portfolio of five and six-figure trust funders and deepen relationships.
• Line manage two direct reports and conduct regular supervision.
• Develop compelling cases for support with the Head of Philanthropy and Trusts.
• Lead pipeline development aligned to organisational priorities.
• Prepare high-quality applications for large and multi-annual gifts.
• Oversee stewardship, reporting and donor engagement plans.
• Represent the organisation at funder meetings and visits.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across departments.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Major grants

Funder relationships

Bid writing

Line management

Stakeholder engagement

Planning and forecasting

Raiser's Edge NXT

Tools

Raisers Edge NXT

Job description

Join Us and Help Shape Brighter Futures

At Depaul UK, we believe in people’s potential — and we take action every day to help unlock it. Whether you’re supporting young people directly or strengthening our organisation behind the scenes, your work will create real, lasting impact.

About the Role

Trusts and Foundations Manager

Full Time | Permanent | 37.5 Hours Per Week | Salary - £41,456 - £44,956

Join us and help create brighter futures for young people experiencing homelessness. We're looking for a skilled trust fundraiser with a strong track record of securing major grants, building high-value funder relationships, and leading successful fundraising initiatives. You'll manage a portfolio of five and six-figure trust supporters, develop compelling funding proposals, and drive sustainable income growth.

This is an exciting opportunity to combine high-value fundraising, relationship management, and people management in a high-performing team. You'll inspire and support the team, identify new funding opportunities, and play a key role in delivering life-changing impact across the UK.

If you're an ambitious, relationship-focused fundraiser who thrives on securing significant funding and want your work to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you. Flexible working arrangement, career development, and a values-led culture come as standard.

Please note that this role is offered as a full-time (37.5 hours per week) permanent basis. In addition, this job offers the opportunity of working from any of our regions (London, Manchester or the North East); therefore, we welcome applications from different parts of the country.

In this role, you will:

• Personally responsible for delivering against a set of objectives and KPIs, which contribute to the trust team’s targets and aims.
• Manage a portfolio of trust funders who are giving 5 and 6-figure gifts and deepen our relationships.
• Be an inspirational line manager to two direct reports, coaching and supporting them to achieve their objectives and KPIs. This includes setting objectives, conducting supervision meetings, identifying development needs and chairing our weekly team meeting.
• Work closely with the Head of Philanthropy and Trusts to develop new, compelling cases for support.
• Lead the development of a strong pipeline of prospects that are well-aligned to our organisational priorities.
• Make high quality and persuasive applications for large and multi-annual gifts to trusts and foundations.
• Oversee all stewardship and cultivation plans with a strong focus on retention. Achieving this through role modelling best practice, thoughtful and meaningful engagement, which harnesses news and updates from across the organisation.
• Represent the organisation and trusts team at funder meetings, visits and presentations.
• Provide impactful reporting to trust funders against grant requirements.
• Build strong internal stakeholder relationships across the organisation.
• Oversee the adherence to the expectations of all trust funders giving multi-annual gifts.
• Contribute to the trust’s income strategy, proactively identifying innovative opportunities and supporting the development and implementation of capital fundraising plans.
• Support the monitoring and review of the trusts team performance and forecasting, acting where needed and supporting the development of annual income targets and KPIs.
• Positively contribute to cross-team activities and projects, both within the wider Philanthropy and Partnerships function and the Fundraising and Communications department.
• Role model accurate record keeping within Raisers Edge and our internal systems.

About You (What we are looking for from you – Person Specification)

When completing your application form please address all the points set out below.

• Demonstrable track record of delivering to a fundraising target in excess of £500K.
• Proven experience of a high standard of bid writing.
• Excellent trust relationship management skills and track record of developing, building and maintaining successful trust relationships.
• An engaging communicator with the power to persuade, motivate and inspire through excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Line management experience.
• Excellent organisational skills, including ability to work on own initiative, effectively manage and prioritise workload, whilst being available and approachable for your line reports.
• Working cross-team or cross-organisation to successfully deliver projects.
• Knowledge of Code of Fundraising Practice and Data Protection legislation (Desirable)
• Previous experience of using Raisers Edge NXT (Desirable)

What You’ll Receive

• Tailored training and development
• Flexible working options where suitable
• 26 days annual leave, rising with service
• Family‑friendly leave policies
• Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access
• Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more
• Cash health plan for you and your family
• Death‑in‑service benefit
• Access to legal and practical support

Safer Recruitment

Depaul UK is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.