Income Generation Lead

About Feeding Families

Feeding Families is an award winning pioneering charity at the forefront of tackling food insecurity across the North East. We are not a traditional food bank, but instead offer a unique and compassionate solution to those who face barriers to accessing conventional food provision. Our services cater to individuals who struggle with mental and physical health issues, live in rural areas, have working hours that conflict with food bank opening times, or have exhausted their food bank entitlements but are still in need.

Operating from two centres in Blaydon and Sedgefield, we provide food assistance to individuals and families across the entire North East through a network of partner organisations, including schools, charities, and community groups. By minimising administrative burden and streamlining food distribution, we help our partners to focus on delivering support where it’s needed most.

The Role

Feeding Families is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and passionate Income Generation Lead to drive forward our fundraising, marketing, and income generation strategies. This pivotal role will focus on growing sustainable income streams, building lasting relationships with stakeholders, and leading the development of our fundraising and communications efforts. You’ll work alongside the CEO, trustees, and a dedicated team to ensure our mission of alleviating food poverty reaches even more people in need.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising and marketing strategy, aligned with Feeding Families' vision and goals.
• Collaborate with the CEO and trustees to ensure fundraising initiatives align with the charity’s broader strategic priorities.
• Contribute to organisational policy and strategic decision-making as part of the senior leadership team.

Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Building

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including major donors, corporate partners, community supporters, trustees, and volunteers.
• Represent Feeding Families at public events, delivering impactful speeches to inspire and engage diverse audiences. 
• Craft compelling narratives and case studies that showcase the charity’s work and impact, ensuring donor engagement and retention. 

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, inspire, and manage the Fundraising & Communications team, promoting a collaborative and inclusive working environment.
• Provide mentorship and support to team members, fostering their professional development and empowering them to meet their objectives.
• Ensure effective internal communication and teamwork across all departments.

Income Generation & Fundraising

• Drive the growth of high-value income streams, including major donors, corporate partnerships, individual giving, community fundraising, and events.
• Have a strong track record of success in writing funding bids to trusts and foundations.
• Develop a strategic events plan that engages diverse audiences and maximises impact, without diluting key relationships.
• Identify and secure sustainable funding through targeted applications, tailored corporate proposals, and joint fundraising initiatives.
• Lead the development of ‘foodraising’ initiatives, turning food donations into a creative and effective fundraising mechanism.
• Improve donor stewardship strategies, ensuring an exceptional experience for new and existing supporters.

Marketing & Communications

• Oversee the development of marketing materials and digital content that effectively communicate Feeding Families' mission, impact, and goals.
• Manage and optimise Feeding Families’ digital platforms—website, social media, and email—ensuring consistent and engaging content.
• Build and maintain relationships with media partners, ensuring the charity’s stories and successes reach the wider public.
• Analyse market trends and performance metrics to continuously enhance Feeding Families' public profile and fundraising efforts.

Food Provision Development

• Oversee in-depth research into food poverty trends to refine and target our food provision efforts effectively.
• Lead and deliver impactful seasonal initiatives, such as Christmas food support programs, maximising reach and impact.
• Collaborate with partners to identify opportunities for joint funding applications and community-based solutions to food insecurity.
• Oversee and streamline referral systems, ensuring they are compassionate, efficient, and responsive to community needs.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure compliance with fundraising regulations, data protection laws, and ethical standards in all fundraising activities.
• Leverage CRM systems to effectively track and report on donor engagement, fundraising progress, and income.
• Work with the CEO and finance team to monitor fundraising budgets and ensure transparent and accountable allocation of donations.

About You

We’re looking for a results-driven, empathetic leader who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. You will bring:

• Proven experience and results in fundraising, income generation, and marketing within the charity sector (3 years min), ideally with a focus on food insecurity or community-based services.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and manage a team to achieve ambitious goals.
• People skills, to build cohesion with the team and beyond with wider staff and volunteers.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to develop and deliver compelling stories to a wide range of audiences.
• A strategic thinker with experience in developing and executing multi-channel fundraising campaigns.
• A passion for social impact and the drive to make a lasting difference in the lives of those experiencing food poverty.
• Experience with CRM systems and data management to drive effective donor engagement and maximise fundraising opportunities.
• Holding a driving licence and with own transport to be able to meet the travel requirements essential to the post, including between the Charity’s centres and partner locations across the North East.

Why Join Us?

At Feeding Families, we believe in a compassionate and practical approach to solving food insecurity. You’ll play a key role in driving our mission forward, ensuring we can continue to help thousands of families and individuals in need across the North East. In return, you’ll benefit from:

• A collaborative and supportive working environment.
• The opportunity to make a direct impact on a vital cause.
• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Flexible working options. If you are passionate about using your skills to make a real difference in the fight against food poverty, we’d love to hear from you.