About Us
The Neurodivergence Project is a new UK charity supporting neurodivergent young people and adults, including autistic people, people with ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia, as well as people with an acquired brain injury (ABI), including those awaiting assessment or without formal documentation. We use outdoor learning - including structured sailing experiences - to help people build self-confidence, form lasting friendships, and move towards their goals in safe, sensory-aware environments. Alongside our expeditions, we are building an ND-affirming Resource Hub to provide practical guidance and trusted signposting, and we are growing a UK-wide awareness campaign, Around Britain for Neurodiversity, to improve understanding, reduce stigma, and strengthen allyship across communities, schools and workplaces.
Purpose of the role
To support the Board of Trustees by providing a lead on developing and implementing the charity's fundraising approach. This includes helping identify and grow sustainable income streams such as grants and trusts, events and challenges, community and supporter-led fundraising, partnerships, and Charity of the Year opportunities. The role helps ensure fundraising is realistic for a growing charity and aligned with our mission, values, and capacity.
Alignment with our mission and values
The Fundraising Trustee will help ensure our fundraising approach is:
respectful of neurodivergent people and neurodivergent voices, and informed by lived
experience without requiring lived experience from every trustee
strengths-based, celebrating contribution rather than obligation
inclusive and accessible, reducing barriers to participation
ethical, transparent, and trustworthy
partnership-focused and community-led
clear and honest about impact, cost, and capacity
Key responsibilities
provide a lead on developing and implementing a clear fundraising plan that matches the charity's stage of growth
help identify and prioritise appropriate income opportunities across grants and trusts, events and challenges, community fundraising, partnerships, and Charity of the Year opportunities
advise on fundraising campaigns and public-facing initiatives, helping shape ideas into practical plans
support volunteer-led and supporter-led fundraising, including helping us think through how individuals, schools, universities, workplaces, and community groups can fundraise safely and effectively
support the development and review of funding bids and applications by improving structure, clarity, and fit with funder priorities
where appropriate, review and help shape draft funding applications, without being solely responsible for writing or submitting bids
help identify and advise on partnership-based funding opportunities
help ensure fundraising activity remains ethical, well-managed, and aligned with good governance
General trustee responsibilities
All trustees are expected to:
act in the charity's best interests and make sure it is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
comply with the charity's governing document and the law
act with reasonable care and skill
manage the charity's resources responsibly
help the charity be accountable, including contributing to board decisions and good governance
attend trustee meetings and contribute appropriately between meetings when required
follow the charity's policies and procedures (including safeguarding, codes of conduct, data protection, and communications)
declare conflicts of interest and maintain appropriate confidentiality
uphold the charity's reputation through professional conduct, including online and in public settings
Person specification
Essential
commitment to the mission and values of The Neurodivergence Project
fundraising experience, paid or voluntary, with evidence of contributing to income generation
experience in at least one of the following areas: grants and trusts, community fundraising, events and challenges, corporate partnerships, Charity of the Year, individual giving
able to contribute effectively at board level, including giving clear, constructive input
able to communicate well and work collaboratively as part of a small trustee team
willing to follow safeguarding expectations, maintain appropriate boundaries, and keep up to date with key charity policies
sympathetic to neurodivergent people and neurodivergent-led work
Desirable
3 or more years' fundraising or income generation experience (paid or voluntary)
experience developing partnerships or corporate fundraising
familiarity with ethical fundraising practice and relevant Charity Commission guidance
experience working with community-led, lived-experience-led, or neurodivergent-focused organisations
Safeguarding and compliance
This role requires a commitment to safeguarding and completion of required training. Enhanced DBS is required and provided by the charity.
Time commitment
attend quarterly trustee meetings
around 4 hours per month on average, with flexibility depending on fundraising activity and funding cycles
Appointment and trial period
Trustees are initially invited to join the Board on a trial basis. This period allows both the individual and the charity to ensure the role is a good fit, expectations are clear, and the working relationship feels right on both sides.
During this time:
trustees will take part fully in board discussions and contribute their views, experience, and insight
thoughts and opinions will be actively welcomed and valued
trustees will not hold formal voting rights until their appointment is confirmed
Following this period, and subject to mutual agreement, trustees will be formally appointed and registered in line with governance requirements.