Hours: 15 hours / 2 days per week
Terms: 12 month fixed term contract
Location: Bridport Museum Trust, Dorset
About us
Founded in 1932, Bridport Museum inspires and engages people, helping them understand the significance of Bridport’s past, appreciate its present, and imagine its future. Our Mission is:
* To care for and build high quality, unique and exciting collections, including our nationally important rope and net collection.
* To share our knowledge and passion, creating exciting experiences that encourage everyone to engage with our heritage.
* To create a resilient and inspirational organisation that will thrive for future generations. We currently operate from three sites, the museum, collections store and local history centre, but are also considering a larger town centre building with the potential to deliver significant change and improvement to our operations.
Governed by an engaged group of trustees, Bridport Museum Trust is a museum fuelled by the efforts of an enthusiastic and committed group of volunteers, led by a paid and full-time Museum Manager, who has across the board operational responsibilities and reports directly to the Trustee Board.
Background
Bridport Museum Trust has three strategic priorities:
* to establish a sustainable and resilient business and operating model;
* to resolve challenges with our current collection store; and
* to plan for our centenary in 2032, ensuring the museum is vibrant and relevant for our next chapter.
Bridport Museum Trust has been offered the opportunity to acquire the Grade II* Bridport Literary and Scientific Institute (LSI) on East Street by its current owner, the Bridport Area Development Trust. This acquisition could be transformational for the Museum, enabling it to retain the main museum, but vacate The Coach House, a building leased from Dorset Council, which needs significant investment to make it fit for purpose as a collections store, as well as hand back some office space leased from the Town Council. The LSI building would also provide much needed space for events and activities – currently lacking in the main museum building in South Street.
However, the offer has been made at a challenging time for the Trust, with a reduction in our annual grant from Dorset Council and only one full-time member of staff member (down from 1.8 FTE in recent years). Bridport Museum Trust is delighted to have secured a significant funding award from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support our project ‘Re-imagining Bridport Museum for its Centenary’. The project will explore the opportunities and risks presented by the acquisition of Bridport LSI, enabling Trustees to make an informed decision on whether to proceed with the acquisition in July 2026.
Whether or not that acquisition proceeds, the project will contribute to the strategic priorities, improving our operating model and planning for our centenary.
Purpose of the role
Bridport Museum Trust wishes to appoint an experienced fundraising officer to help deliver our project ‘Re-imagining Bridport Museum for its Centenary’, grow our income through fundraising and develop relationships with new and existing supporters. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and develop fundraising activity with the museum and directly contribute to expanding our reach and impact. The successful applicant will work closely with staff and Trustees at the Museum, the Project Manager and other consultants appointed to the project.
As Fundraising Officer, you will play a key role in securing funding, building strong relationships, and communicating the impact of our work. Reporting to the Museum Manager, your role will be focused on two key priorities:
* Securing match funding (c. £55k) for the Reimagining Bridport Museum project.
* Developing and implementing fundraising (e.g. individual giving, trusts & foundations, sponsorship) for the museum’s core offer.
Please submit a covering letter (no more than two pages) highlighting why you are interested in this role, how your experience equips you to undertake the role, and how your knowledge, skills, and experience meet the role requirements.
Please also include a copy of your CV (no more than two pages) and indicate how soon if appointed, you would be able to start work on the contract. Please include the name and contact details of two references who will only be contacted if you are the preferred candidate.
Applications must be submitted by email addressed to: projectsmanager@bridportmuseum.co.uk
Please state “Fundraising Officer Application” in the subject line of your email.
The deadline for applications is: 9am on Monday 11 May 2026.
Interviews will be held 15 and 18 May 2026.
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