About The Role
W/C 10th November for First Stage Interviews.
About the Role: The Philanthropy Officer will support Ark’s fundraising strategy by managing a portfolio of small to medium-sized trusts and individual donors. This role is ideal for a proactive and ambitious fundraiser looking to deepen their experience in relationship management, proposal development, and donor stewardship.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop compelling cases for support tailored to trusts, foundations, and individual donors
* Prepare and submit funding applications of £5,000+
* Support the delivery of Ark’s annual fundraising target of £3 million
* Collaborate with internal teams and schools to gather insights and data for proposals and reports
* Contribute to long-term strategies for donor engagement and retention
* Support the Head of Fundraising with bespoke stewardship of our long-term supporters
* Build and maintain strong relationships with donors through personalised communication and stewardship
* Produce high-quality impact reports and updates to inspire continued support
* Support donor events and visits, ensuring a positive experience aligned with Ark’s values
* Prospect Research; identify and qualify new funding prospects using research tools and networks
* Maintain a robust pipeline of potential donors aligned with Ark’s priorities
* Conduct due diligence and assess funding opportunities for strategic fit
* Maintain accurate records using Ark’s CRM (Beacon). Support gift processing, acknowledgements, and donor communications
* Assist with financial tracking and reporting for grants and donations
* Support the planning and delivery of fundraising events
* Represent Ark at sector events and networking opportunities
Specific Skills
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to craft persuasive proposals and reports
* Strong interpersonal skills and confidence in engaging with donors and stakeholders
* Highly organized, with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
* Entrepreneurial mindset with curiosity about donor motivations and philanthropic trends
* Proficient in Microsoft Office and CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Beacon)
Knowledge & Experience
* Min of two years’ working in a fundraising role
* Experience in trust fundraising and/or grant management
* Familiarity with prospect research and donor stewardship practices
* Desirable: Experience in education or youth development sectors
Other
* Right to work in the UK
* Commitment to equality of opportunity and the safeguarding and welfare of all students
* Willingness to undertake training
* This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check
Benefits
* Our hybrid working model aims to offer the best of both worlds, with a minimum of two days per week in the West London office and the option to work remotely for the remaining days
* Fully remote work options up to 10 working days a year, within the UK or abroad
* Flexitime policy with core hours 10.00 – 16.00
* 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with service up to 30 days after 3 years (pro rata for part-time)
* Full office closure between Christmas and New Year
* Access to the Pension Trust scheme with 11% employer contribution
* Access to professional learning and a bespoke online learning platform
* Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from retailers, interest-free loans for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts, and free eye tests
About Us
Ark is an education charity that exists to ensure all children, regardless of background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. Our network of 39 schools serves historically underserved communities in Birmingham, Hastings, London and Portsmouth. We educate 30,000 pupils and employ nearly 3,000 staff. We also incubate and scale innovative ventures, such as Ark Curriculum Plus and Ark Start. Ark moved to EdCity in West London to collaborate with mission-aligned organisations.
Diversity and inclusion
We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone can do their best work. To learn more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please review the provided information.
Safeguarding statement
Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants undergo an enhanced DBS check. You may be asked to disclose any unspent convictions in line with policy.
Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage submitting your application at your earliest convenience.
For any questions, please contact recruitment at arkonline.org.
#J-18808-Ljbffr