Fundraising Executive

The Shona Project; Waterford; Remote; EUR 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The Shona Project in Ireland is seeking a Fundraising Executive to grow corporate partnerships, philanthropy and individual donor giving. This role centers our fundraising strategy and helps more young people feel heard, supported and inspired.

You will develop compelling proposals, manage donor relationships and drive the funding pipeline, working with the CEO to set targets. This is a remote, full-time role with some travel across Ireland, within a values-led charity that prioritises

Qualifications

• Experience in fundraising from corporate, philanthropic or individual donors.
• Ability to build and maintain donor relationships and networks.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills for proposal development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver fundraising strategy focused on corporate partnerships, philanthropy and individuals.
• Build and nurture donor relationships to grow a diversified funding pipeline.
• Write compelling funding proposals and tailor corporate offerings to partners.
• Develop high-quality fundraising materials and donor outreach strategies.
• Meet financial targets in collaboration with the CEO and senior management.
• Manage donor database and coordinate meetings for the CEO.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Donor relations

Corporate partnerships

Communication skills

Relationship management

Travel willingness

Driving licence

Job description

We're looking for a Fundraising Executive to join our team and help us raise the funds that keep SHONA and MARK growing, so that more young people in Ireland feel heard, strong and seen.

About The Shona Project

The Shona Project is a multi-award-winning Irish charity and social enterprise, founded in 2016. Through SHONA, we educate, empower and inspire Irish girls to become strong, confident and curious young women. We do this through school workshops, the Shona Handbook, online content and Shine Festival, which brings schools from all over Ireland to Waterford. To date we have had over 600,000 touch points with girls.

In 2026, The Shona Project launched its boys' programme, MARK.

The Shona Project has built real momentum and a growing movement to support the next generation of powerful and authentic young women and men.

The Fundraising Executive will help grow our corporate, philanthropic and individual donor relationships. This is a purpose-driven role and a chance to help make sure the next generation of Irish women and men feel supported to reach their potential. You'll be joining a fast-growing organisation at an exciting point in its development, with an extensive network of supporters, volunteers and pro bono partners behind it. We're a values-led organisation and we care about authenticity, kindness, community and integrity.

The role at a glance

Reports to

CEO

Hours

Full-time, with flexible working hours available

€35,000 to €45,000, depending on skills and experience

Location

Remote, with some national travel for meetings

Contract

Full-time on completion of a probationary period.

About the role

The Fundraising Executive will play a key role in developing and delivering The Shona Project's fundraising strategy, with a focus on three areas: corporate partnerships, philanthropy and individual donors.

The aim of the role is to build a regular and diverse funding pipeline, nurture relationships, and grow a movement of people and organisations who support our mission.

What you'll do

• Get to know The Shona Project's current and past work, including SHONA and MARK, and our strategic goals
• Look after our current partnerships and build new ones, finding ways to make each relationship work well for both sides
• Identify philanthropic funding opportunities and write compelling proposals that show the impact of each gift
• Create marketable corporate offerings, identify organisations whose values reflect our own, and match partners to specific projects
• Develop high-quality materials, including bespoke corporate funding proposals
• Build relationships with key decision makers and senior management at potential corporate partners
• Agree clear financial targets with the CEO and drive activity to meet them
• Work with the CEO on developing our philanthropic strategy
• Support the planning and delivery of philanthropic events
• Manage and grow our current donor database, including individual donors, and arrange meetings for the CEO
• Prepare regular reports for internal and external stakeholders and partners
• Carry out general day-to-day admin in line with the needs of the organisation

What you'll bring

• Experience in corporate or individual donor fundraising, corporate business development, or account and relationship management
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with experience of selling, negotiating and influencing
• A good understanding of what motivates businesses and how the corporate sector works
• Strong relationship-building skills, inside and outside the organisation
• An understanding of the issues facing young people in Ireland that The Shona Project works to address
• Excellent time management, organisation and prioritisation
• A positive, resilient approach and the ability to work under pressure
• Flexibility to take on a varied role, and a real commitment to teamwork
• A self-motivated, proactive approach to work
• Willingness to travel within Ireland when needed
• An existing network of contacts in Irish business or philanthropy
• A full clean driving licence and access to a car

This list of duties is not exhaustive. It reflects the main duties of the role and may change over time. Because we're a small organisation, everyone on the team will sometimes take on duties outside their job description, in line with the role, our operational plan and our strategic plan.

Commitment to equality

We are an equal-opportunity employer and believe that diversity and inclusion help us achieve our greatest potential. We strongly welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to Respect, Equality, Inclusion and Diversity in all we do.