Philanthropy Manager

Job title: Philanthropy Manager

Responsible to: Director of Fundraising & Development

Salary: 49500 - 54075 per annum (dependent on experience)

Hours of work: Full time (35 hours per week) We consider flexible working requests including 4 day weeks for full time roles. This role is not suitable for job share.

Annual leave: 30 days with 8 additional Bank Holidays pro rata

Location: Remote - location is flexible with option to be home based anywhere in the UK. Hybrid/office based also available (head office is in Bristol)

Closing date:22nd September - midday

About Action for ME

Action for ME is the only charity in the UK providing support including healthcare to people of all ages affected by ME. The charity was founded by Sue Finlay in 1987 and since then has been taking holistic approach so we can make an impact on multiple fronts - from amplifying the voices of people affected by ME in Government and leading on breakthrough research to providing lifeline support and unique healthcare services on a daily basis.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) sometimes referred to and diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a chronic fluctuating disease causing symptoms such as post-exertional malaise (PEM) sleep problems problems with thinking and memory (brain fog) pain and crushing fatigue. There are an estimated 1.3 million people living with ME or ME-like symptoms including PEM in the UK alone.

Even in its so-called mildest form ME can have a significant impact on an individuals life and not just on their health. A lack of understanding and awareness about ME means patients can experience disbelief and even discrimination from friends family health and social care professionals employers and teachers.

For the first time there is an increased awareness of post viral illness because of the Covid -19 pandemic. After decades of neglect this offers Action for ME an opportunity to accelerate our work for people with ME in a way we have never been able to do before.

We are seeking an experienced philanthropy professional to join us in our mission to improve the lives of everyone affected by ME. You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history following the launch of the UK Governments Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025.

Building on our charitys already established level of support from major donors you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.

Job purpose

At Action for ME we believe that change wont just happen; it must be made. Thats why action and impact are at the heart of everything we do. Whether thats helping people today with support information or care. Or working towards securing future change through our research and campaigning work.

You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history following the launch of the UK Governments Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025.

Working closely with the CEO alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising.

This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.

Key duties

Major Donor Fundraising

• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of 250k

• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations including quarterly forecasting.

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the 5k to 100k level to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships.

• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.

• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development. Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.

• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.

• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events presentations approaches networking and meetings.

• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.

• Ensure utilisation of insight & data producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.

• With the Director of Fundraising & Development create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.

• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.

• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.

• Develop and maintain relationships with donors a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.

• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.

• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up particularly in corporate community and trust fundraising.

• Work with Trustees the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.

• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings keeping accurate and up to date records of activity.

• Occasional travel to London Bristol & events.

  Other duties

• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.

• To contribute to the teams overall ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.

• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.

• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.

• To work in accordance with Action for MEs values of collaboration equity and empathy.

Person Specification

Experience & knowledge

• Hold three to five years proven experience in generating income from major gifts

• Demonstrable success in securing major gifts (10k) and delivering a successful major donor programme

• Demonstrable skills in writing effective and inspiring propositions and cases for support

• Proven track record in high level effective stewardship of donors funders and prospects or transferable skills.

• Experience of using a CRM database to build a measurable pipeline of major donors and prospects or similar.

• Proven of developing varied methods of donor engagement including events donor clubs or patron schemes or similar.

• Strong understanding of data protection and fundraising regulations

• Experience of servicing a fundraising board/campaign board (desirable)

Skills & behaviours

• Excellent communication engagement and interpersonal skills

• Strong organisational skills and able to self-administrate

• Ability to travel and work flexibly including occasional evenings and weekends

• An understanding of M.E./CFS the impact on people affected by it and associated current political health policy and social issues (desirable)

Attitudes & values

• Enthusiasm

• Integrity

• Resilient

• Donor-centric

Key competencies

• Effective communicator

• Results driven

How to apply

View the full application pack

Please click on the apply button below to submit your application. Along with your CV your cover letter should in no more than two A4 pages explain your reason(s) for applying for this role and how you fit all aspects of the person specification set out above and in the job pack.

Strong applicants will list each person specification bullet point related to experience skills and behaviours and provide evidence of how they meet each of these criteria.

Should you have any questions about the role or require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process please dont hesitate to email