Trusts and Foundations Manager

The Trusts and Foundations Manager with be responsible for the ongoing management of the current successful high-value portfolio ranging from £2m commitments to £100k grants. In addition to ensuring the current portfolio is expertly stewarded with the aim of renewing and uplifting existing funders, the role will also be responsible for expanding the portfolio, focusing on both the national programme and the individual pathfinders projects in the longer term.

The Trusts and Foundations Manager with not have any direct line management reports in order to focus their time on fundraising but will work closely with The Manager will take a relationship-based approach to our funding partnership, working directly with grantors to create impactful propositions and proposals to support Thrive at Five’s strategic priorities. The successful applicant will develop and manage a detailed prospect pipeline managed through our database, to ensure we make the very best of opportunities, in addition to new partnerships being identified and scoped.

The role will involve collaboration and coordination across the organization, both to keep abreast of the latest information for grantors, but also to bring key stakeholders and experts into discussions and partnerships as and when necessary to further develop and strengthen relationships. colleagues, providing coaching, support and advice on the lower-level trust portfolio on a regular basis.

Hybrid (1-2 days per week in our London office and the rest of the week working from home – with occasional national travel to our local sites) 

Our preference is a 5 day a week, 35 hours per week role. However, we will consider excellent candidates who are available 4 days a week.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Planning

• Work with the Head of Fundraising to further develop the long-term fundraising strategy working to maximise multi-year partnerships from like-minded funders
• Manage the annual planning processes for Trusts and Foundations, prioritising meaningful engagement and stewardship opportunities for new and existing funders
• Work closely with the Director of Finance on the annual budget and monthly forecasts

Portfolio Management

• Manage the existing portfolio of c. 25 active multi-year grants ranging from £100k-£2m, providing excellent and timely reporting in addition to creative and impactful ongoing stewardship. The existing funders’ interests will be split across our national programme and regional pathfinders (currently Stoke-on-Trent and Redcar and Cleveland, with discussions underway in Middlesborough and Scotland).
• Regularly communicate with those in the portfolio on a 1:1 basis, working with senior stakeholders directly as and when necessary to maximise opportunities including Trustees, Advisory Board Members, Senior Leadership Team (‘SLT’) and the CEO
• Organise and attend programme visits to pathfinder locations as and when necessary to strengthen partnerships with grantors, long term in addition to regular face to face funder meetings
• Support the delivery of cultivation and stewardship events for prospects, funders and connectors, cross the country

Prospect Research and Pipeline Management

• Manage a portfolio of c.30 warm and cold prospects, to create bespoke cultivation opportunities, engage in fact-finding discussions, and submit detailed concept notes and proposals as relationships develop. The aim is for the existing portfolio of active funders to double over the next two years through a rigorous prospect engagement programme
• Focus on constant movement and momentum within the trusts and foundations pipeline, continuously researching new prospects, and network mapping contacts across the organisations to explore new avenues of support for both the national programme and the pathfinder projects
• Proactively engage with the grant making community with a shared interested in early years development by attending sector specific events and opportunities, and in addition to those focused on pathfinder areas such as Scottish grantmakers or those focused on the Northwest of England.

Processes and Systems

• Champion data excellence across fundraising by utilising the Raiser Edge database, ensuring it is the up-to-date centralised data management system for all prospects, funders, events and communications
• Provide regular reports to the Head of Fundraising and SLT on movement within the grants pipeline including chances of success
• Support the management of the lower-level grants portfolio, taking a coaching approach and sharing your expertise widely
• Work with the Head of Fundraising to ensure the team are confident in all fundraising processes and procedures including grant acceptance policy, due diligence policy, prospect research process, data protection policy and GDPR requirements

Representing Thrive at Five’s Values

• Play an active role in organisation-wide meetings and discussions supporting colleagues across all teams during busy periods and offering peer support as and when required
• Focus on further developing and embedding a culture of philanthropy within all teams across the organisation, working with them to explain and understand how grant funding works and ensuring they are comfortable with grantee expectations
• Have a constant focus on your personal learning and understanding around early years development and collective impact, sharing throughs, articles and events colleagues may find interesting in addition to responding to their suggestions and advice
• Champion the Thrive at Five ethos of collaboration and partnership which is essential across the organisation and across communities in which we operate

Essential to the role

• Experience of securing and managing a significant and complex grant portfolio of c. £1m+ grants
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience of creating complex impact-led grant propositions
• A relationship-based approach to grant management
• A collaborative and supportive nature with the willingness to work outside your remit during busy periods to ensure the organisation succeeds
• Ability to be flexible and adapt your approach in response to lessons learned, and a comfort with ambiguity
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop relationships with staff and senior stakeholders at all levels
• A commitment to continued professional development
• High levels of empathy, passion, and care for those in our community
• Alignment with our organisation’s values

Desirable to the role

• Background knowledge and/or experience of early childhood development
• Regional fundraising experience specifically but not exclusively in Scotland, Northwest England and the Midlands
• Experience using Raiser Edge NXT

Please apply by submitting your CV (2-page max) and a 500-word supporting statement explaining why you would be a good fit for the role and for our organisation.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an in-person interview.

Closing date is 2 December, interviews will take place weeks beginning 9 December and 16 December.