Fundraising Manager – Thrive (Community Council for Somerset)
£35,000–£40,000 | Hybrid / Somerset | Permanent | 35 hrs (flexible)
Thrive has been at the heart of Somerset's communities for 100 years. Village agents supporting isolated older people. Diverse communities programmes. Fuel poverty campaigns. Real, local, human work — delivered across every corner of the county.
This centenary year, Thrive is building its next chapter. A new chief executive has reset the strategic direction. Community energy is building. And the organisation has made a clear decision: it wants a sustainable fundraising base that isn't dependent on statutory contracts alone.
This role is the cornerstone of that ambition.
This isn't a maintenance hire. It's a builder's role.
The Fundraising Manager will lead across community fundraising, individual giving and trusts and foundations — with community and individual giving as the primary focus. The tools are in place. The mission is compelling. The stories are extraordinary. Thrive already has the reach, the relationships and the centenary momentum. What's missing is the right person to build the pipeline and turn that momentum into lasting income.
The target: 2,000 active supporters by year end, with a clear pathway to converting them into regular givers over time.
What you’ll be doing:
* Building a structured community fundraising programme — creating frameworks that enable supporters, staff and volunteers to fundraise on Thrive’s behalf
* Growing the individual giving base from a low starting point — developing supporter journeys, regular giving and stewardship
* Managing a grants pipeline and writing compelling applications to trusts and foundations
* Leading digital acquisition campaigns in partnership with the marketing team
* Line managing the Fundraising Administrator and helping them develop grant‑writing skills over time
* Helping build a fundraising culture across the organisation where frontline staff feel part of the story
What we’re looking for:
* A track record in community fundraising, individual giving or events fundraising
* Some experience of trusts and foundations — this doesn’t need to be your primary specialism
* Strong written skills — the ability to translate real human stories into compelling fundraising copy
* A self‑starter who works well with autonomy in a small team
* Genuine connection to Thrive’s mission and the communities it serves
* Based in Somerset or within easy reach of Taunton — primarily home‑based with approximately one day per week in the office
What Thrive offers:
* £35,000–£40,000 FTE
* Genuine flexibility — hybrid working that actually reflects how the organisation operates
* A values‑led culture where kindness, compassion and psychological safety aren’t just policies
* 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
* Real scope for career progression — if the fundraising function delivers, the trajectory in salary, responsibility and seniority is genuine
This role will suit you if:
You want to be a Head of Fundraising one day. You’re frustrated by being siloed. You want breadth, autonomy and the chance to build something that matters — in a place where the mission is real and the communities are real.
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