JOB DESCRIPTION

POST:   Trusts and Foundations Manager

Contract:   Permanent

Salary:   NJC SP28-30 inc LW + pension and other benefits

Hours:   40 hours per week excluding breaks

Annual Leave:      34 days per year including Bank/Statutory Holidays (pro rata for part-time)

Probation Period:   6 months

Notice Period:   3 months

Accountable to:   Senior Philanthropy Manager

                                       

JOB PURPOSE

The Passage’s philanthropy portfolio has grown significantly over the last three years through dedicated relationship management and compelling applications that have brought to life the fantastic work and outcomes achieved by The Passage’s services. A recent audit of our Trusts and Foundations programme identified further opportunities for growth with both newly created and well-established funders.

The Passage’s new three-year strategy, The Art of the Possible, is based around the themes of prevention, convening and sustaining, and highlights the importance of collaboration. The Fundraising, Communications and Trading team are seeking a passionate, articulate, and experienced individual to further enhance and sustain our trusts and foundations income stream so that The Passage can support more people to find a place to call home.

We are looking for a motivated and creative individual to join our high performing and fast-paced Fundraising, Communications and Trading team at an incredibly exciting time. The impact of the cost-of-living crisis means that there continue to be vital new projects that need funding, and we believe that there are further opportunities for growth to support these.

The Trusts and Foundations Manager is responsible for driving income generation from charitable trusts and foundations. This position requires a strategic thinker with strong writing skills, attention to details and the ability to work collaboratively across all departments to gather insights, data, and case studies to demonstrate the value and effectiveness of The Passage’s work.

 

 

 

MAIN TASKS AND DUTIES

 

• Lead relationships with a portfolio of trusts, foundations, and other grant-making bodies to establish a robust pipeline of sustainable income
• Support the Senior Philanthropy Manager to steward and prepare reports for a number of high-value funders
• Research and identify new trust and grant donors and cultivate relationships to grow the existing portfolio and generate additional income
• Provide effective stewardship of existing trust donors and prospects to ensure repeat gifts and to increase support where relevant
• Create innovative opportunities and develop funding proposals that match funding opportunities to The Passage’s range of services
• Prepare and submit all reporting requirements as required by donors.

 

Prospecting and Account Management

• Research, identify and approach prospective new and existing trust and grant donors and engage them in supporting The Passage
• Develop an annual prospect pipeline with the aim of securing sustainable, multi-year income
• Lead an exemplary stewardship programme for supporters through effective account management to maximise income and establish donor loyalty.

 

Bid development:

• Prepare high quality and innovative funding proposals
• Actively seek opportunities that will support the wide range of services provided by The Passage and convert these into compelling funding applications
• Work collaboratively with Passage colleagues to gain a sound knowledge of service provision and encourage their involvement in the development of funding proposals.

 

Budgets and planning:

• Support the Senior Philanthropy Manager to prepare accurate annual budgets, forecasts, and income phasing
• Work with the Senior Philanthropy Manager and Head of Development to regularly review performance, report variances against budget and undertake contingency planning to minimise risk

• Monitor performance against agreed KPIs to ensure activity is on track.

 

Reporting:

• Manage a robust evaluation and monitoring programme for all trust and grant donors, ensuring appropriate, accurate and timely return of external reports including those required as a condition of the funding.
• Monitor a range of KPI and financial reports suitable for use across a range of internal audiences and report back to the Senior Philanthropy Manager
• Maintain accurate records on the Salesforce database and ensure donor records are compliant.

 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• In conjunction with your Line Manager to continuously developing the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of The Passage.
• To participate in internal/external meetings as required, and attend training events, conferences, and other functions, as necessary.
• To participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal and help in identifying your own job-related development and training needs.
• To ensure that all The Passage policies and procedures are being adhered to, particularly those relating to Health and Safety, the Code of Practice and Confidentiality.
• To contribute to the effective implementation of The Passage’s Diversity and Equality Policy as it affects both The Passage and its work with vulnerable adults.
• To at all times undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high-quality standard of work, and to always work in accordance with the aims, values, and ethos of The Passage1.

 

Person Specification:              Trusts and Foundations Manager

This specification sets out the essential abilities and qualities which are used in the selection criteria for the post. When completing your supporting statement please address criteria E1 to E10 and K1 to K5 demonstrating your understanding and knowledge and giving evidence of your experience and abilities.

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EXPERIENCE

E1   Experience of writing successful fundraising applications and proposals.

 

E2      Demonstrable track record of achieving financial targets from trusts and foundations, grant-making bodies, and major donor supporters.

 

E3   Experience of cultivating new prospects and converting them to become warm donors.

 

E4   Proven stewardship skills with the ability to inspire and retain support from trusts, foundations, and other grant-making bodies.

 

E5   Ability to undertake in-depth prospect research and data analysis.

 

E6   Experience of matching funding opportunities to support specific areas of work/projects/service provision.

 

E7   Experience of preparing and submitting monitoring and evaluation reports.

 

E8   Excellent information technology skills, with experience of fundraising databases.

 

E9   Experience of working with or within the voluntary sector. (Desirable)

 

E10      Experience of securing new funding from trusts or grant-making bodies. (Desirable)

 

KNOWLEDGE

K1   Up to date knowledge of trust and foundation prospects, particularly those most suited to supporting the work of The Passage.

 

K2   Able to understand budgets and summarise financial information

 

K3   Knowledge and expertise of working with CRM systems to effectively manage donor relationships.

 

K4   Educated to degree level or equivalent. (Desirable)   

K5   Relevant qualification in fundraising. (Desirable)

In addition to the above the following table indicates the standard expectations that all employees/workers are to work towards.

 

Vincentian Values and Integrity Maintains social, organisational, and ethical values in all actions
1 People Management	2 Personal effectiveness
Establishes and communicates clear standards and expectations and helps all staff to develop full potential	Confidence, adaptability, and stamina to rise to new challenges and deliver results. Ability to plan and organise to manage multiple tasks and priorities. Take responsibility for own continuous learning and professional development
3 Expertise	4 Creativity and Innovation
Recognised as a source of expertise and insight. Keeps up to date with the latest professional developments. Applies expertise to realise competitive and professional advantage for Passage	Ability to source and develop new ideas. Ability to practically implement new ideas to solve problems and bring about improvements to services and resources.
5 Continuous Improvement	6 Problem-solving and decision-making
Recognising the need for action or change and taking the appropriate action without needing to be told.	Ability to use logical processes for solving problems and making decisions
7 Change, Project, and resources management	8 Needs led services
Plans and organises projects and the activities of others to achieve results; able to manage resources within budget.	Focused on views and needs of clients ensuring a quality led effective service delivery in a psychologically informed way
9 Commitment and Integrity	10 Team Working
Maintains social, organisational, and ethical values in all actions	Committed and reliable member of team and understanding impact of role on others
11 Communication	12 Building effective external relationships
Written and oral communication is concise and accurate.	Ability to build up and maintain a network of external contacts who can help achieve service goals.
13 Equality, Diversity and Rights
Promotes equity and diversity, upholding the rights of clients, staff, and volunteers

 

June 2025