Relationship Fundraiser

We are seeking a motivated and experienced relationship fundraiser to join our team. This is a new role for the organisation, and we are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who have a good level of experience in relationship fundraising who can support us to develop our unrestricted fundraising. A successful candidate would hit the ground running with fundraising activity as well as helping to shape the future of fundraising for St Nicks by supporting with the development of a fundraising strategy. This is a really exciting opportunity to shape the future of fundraising for a highly regarded and well-established charity, allowing us to sustain and develop our much-needed work in the city.  

Key Dates: 

Closing date for applications: 21st April 2025 

Interview date: Monday 28th April 2025 

About St Nicks 

We are St Nicks, a local environmental charity with a mission “build and connect flourishing communities through urban greenspace generation, nature-based wellbeing and sustainable living”. Based at St Nicks Environment Centre hidden behind residential properties in the Tang Hall area of York, we have a thriving 24-acre nature reserve that is free to explore 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Our volunteer team help us maintain and manage our reserve for the benefit of people and wildlife. 

In addition to managing the local nature reserve (LNR), we have three key pillars to our work: 

Green Corridors York strives for “more, bigger, better and more joined up” green spaces. Conserving nature whilst supporting our communities. As a city, we can work together to reduce pollution, challenge harmful developments and improve land management.  

Nature-Based Wellbeing deliver both education and mental health support services. At St Nicks we all see and feel the benefits of being outdoors and connected to nature. These benefits can be physical, mental or a combination of both! Our Nature-Based Wellbeing team run a series of Ecotherapy groups to help adults find this nature-connectedness. 92% of Ecotherapy participants told us that these activities meant that they noticed and sought out nature more in their daily lives. 

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at St Nicks. When we talk about sustainability, we are looking to ensure we are doing the least harm possible. Whether that is relating to human, social, financial or environmental. Our Waste & Sustainability team collect recycling, carry out waste audits and run events across the city. Together our teams work to make York a more sustainable city.  

Our values 

Collaboration – Our approachability and inclusiveness ensure that everyone who is affected by our work is involved in shaping it. 

Integrity – We are honest, inclusive and have respect for all life through our ethics, authenticity and commitment. 

Innovation – We are committed to constructively exploring ideas that help us get closer to our vision by doing things differently and taking pioneering approaches, recognising the learning and development that comes with this path. 

Professionalism – All of our actions to our beneficiaries, stakeholders and each other demonstrate our mutual respect, competence, proactivity and the way we make a difference. 

Job Description and Person Specification 

About the Role 

This exciting new role provides an excellent opportunity to help shape and deliver our approach to fundraising, helping to ensure that St Nicks can continue our vital work in supporting planet, people and nature.  As the sole fundraiser and reporting directly to the chief executive officer, you will be given the autonomy to shape and develop and deliver on all aspects of our unrestricted fundraising, building key relationships with existing and new supporters and maximising support from community, corporate and individual supporters.  

Although fundraising in this sense is new to St Nicks, we have a strong foundation of existing supporters and partners which we can build our fundraising and relationships on.  

Job Title 

Relationship Fundraiser 

Contract Type 

This role is initially for a 2-year fixed term contract, with the possibility for extension dependent on the success of the role. 

Hours  

21-28 hours per week, negotiable. This is based on an FTE of 35 hours per week. 

Salary  

£30,000 per annum pro-rata 

Place of work 

Primary place of work is the St Nicks Environment Centre and Local Nature Reserve (LNR) with the opportunity for hybrid arrangements in line with St Nicks policy. Some travel around York is expected with this role.  

Working pattern 

Negotiable. Typically, hours are worked Mon-Fri between the hours of 09:00 – 17:00 with occasional weekend or evening work by prior agreement. 

Responsible to  

CEO 

Responsible for 

Fundraising volunteers 

Purpose  

To lead and develop our newly formed fundraising function, creating a new strategy to maximise income generation from corporate and community supporters, build strong working partnerships with local businesses and community groups and deliver on annual unrestricted income targets. 

Please see our website for details on how to apply.