Freelance Fundraising Lead
(Corporate Partnerships, Granting Agencies & Major Donors)
Organisation - Food for the Brain Foundation (FFB)
Location - Remote (occasional travel for meetings & events)
Contract type - Freelance / contractor
Time commitment - Up to 2 days per week
Fee - Competitive, based on experience
Reports to - CEO
About Food for the Brain
Food for the Brain Foundation (FFB) is a UK-based charity at the forefront of nutrition and mental health, dedicated to preventing cognitive decline across the lifespan - addressing risks that range from neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Through easily accessible validated digital tests and assessment, supported by science, we empower individuals, workplaces, and communities to take control of their brain health.
Our work includes:
* The Cognitive Function Test (CFT) – A validated digital self-assessment of cognitive function brain health.
* The COGNITION questionnaire – a nutrition, lifestyle, health history questionnaire which calculates a person’s Dementia Risk Index or a child’s Cognitive Risk Index.
* The DRIfT biomarker pin prick blood test – measuring five biomarkers associated with cognitive and behavioural health.
* The COGNITION Biobank - A growing global research database with data on cognition, nutrition, lifestyle, health history and nutritional biomarkers [and gene polymorphisms – coming soon].
* COGNITION for Smart Kids & Teens – a project that engages the next generation in lifelong brain health.
We are entering a bold phase of growth and are seeking an experienced freelance fundraiser to present our work and raise funds from granting agencies, corporates and high net worth / major donors and other individuals including our growing community of Friends of FFB.
Purpose of the Role
FFB is scaling its research and impact. We are seeking an entrepreneurial fundraiser to secure transformational funding across granting agencies, corporate partnerships, and major donors, and to support a targeted £1m raise for Cognition International, FFB’s commercial arm, via philanthropy and impact investment (including RPPs – Redeemable Preference/Preferential Shares), in line with our mission.
You will drive substantial new income from three streams:
1. Granting Agencies & Institutions – identify, qualify and submit competitive proposals (research, innovation, wellbeing, and international opportunities), coordinating inputs from the CEO/research team.
2. Corporate Partnerships – build strategic, multi-year partnerships (health, nutrition, insurance, workplace wellbeing and aligned sectors).
3. Major Donors – engage HNWIs/philanthropists to invest in FFB’s mission and long-term growth and cultivate upgrades from our Friends community.
This senior freelance role requires confidence with funders, CEOs, board-level leaders and philanthropists; and creativity to craft propositions that align charitable, corporate and donor interests with FFB’s programmes and research.
Key Responsibilities
1. Granting Agencies & Institutions
* Map and prioritise high-fit opportunities; build a rolling grants calendar.
* Lead proposal development end-to-end (EOIs, cases for support, budgets, M&E/impact); coordinate technical inputs from the research team.
* Manage compliance, due diligence requests and reporting; maintain excellent relationships with programme officers.
2. Corporate Partnerships
* Research, identify, and approach corporate prospects with shared values and strategic alignment.
* Steward and grow existing partnerships, ensuring mutual value and high renewal rates.
* Collaborate with FFB’s Marketing team to deliver co-branded campaigns and joint initiatives.
* Position FFB as a thought leader in workplace brain health, wellbeing, and corporate responsibility.
3. Major Donor Fundraising (HNWIs & Philanthropy)
* Lead on developing and implementing a major donor strategy.
* Build and manage a portfolio of HNW prospects and donors, cultivating long-term, high-value relationships.
* Develop personalised cultivation and stewardship plans, including high-quality proposals, reports, and engagement events.
* Leverage CEO, Trustees and senior ambassadors to open doors and close gifts.
* Nurture upgrades and legacies within the Friends of FFB community.
4. Cross-Cutting Strategic Contribution
* COGNITION International Ltd raise - support the targeted £1m raise via philanthropy and impact investment (incl. RPPs), preparing materials and coordinating investor/funder engagement alongside the CEO.
* Deliver quarterly income targets; provide accurate forecasting and pipeline reporting to the CEO and Board.
* Ensure all fundraising complies with GDPR, the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Practice, and FFB’s policies.
* Maintain meticulous CRM/pipeline records and simple dashboards to track progress.
Person Specification
Essential
* Strong track record of securing significant (five- or six-figure) funding from major donors and granting agencies.
* Confidence and credibility in engaging senior business leaders, funders, and high net worth individuals.
* Excellent proposal writing, case-for-support development and verbal presentation skills.
* Outcome-focused self-starter: works independently, prioritises well, meets deadlines.
* Entrepreneurial, proactive, and ambitious.
Desirable
* Fundraising experience in health, wellbeing, nutrition, or health research /innovation.
* Knowledge of international fundraising and/or impact investment mechanisms (e.g., RPPs).
* Familiarity with impact measurement, logic models and grant reporting.
What We Offer
* Flexible, freelance engagement (up to 2 days per week).
* Opportunity to shape and grow a pioneering charity with global reach.
* Collaborative, values-driven working with the CEO, Trustees and research leaders.
* Competitive day rate and highly flexible working arrangements.
* The chance to make a tangible difference to cognitive health worldwide.
How to Apply
If you are an experienced fundraiser with a strong track record of securing income from granting agencies and high-value giving, we’d love to hear from you.
Please send us:
* A short CV (max 2 pages).
* A covering note (max 1 page) outlining: Your relevant experience and notable wins (grants, major gifts)
* How you would approach fundraising for Food for the Brain in this freelance role within 2 days per week.
* Any experience with impact investment/RPPs and how you’d support the £1m COGNITION International raise.
* Your proposed day rate.
Deadline for applications is Monday 22nd September 2025. Interviews to be held on a rolling basis (shortlisted applicants will be contacted directly).
Please send applications to emma@foodforthebrain.org with the subject line ‘Application – Freelance Fundraising Lead’.