Trusts and Grants Officer

As an integral member of the team, the Grants Officer will be expected to work with a range of internal and external stakeholders including:

External

• Charitable Trusts and Foundations and statutory funders
• Corporate Foundations
• Colleagues across the charity and NHS sectors

Internal

• Key operational and clinical staff members across the NHS Trust including to support the development and delivery of charitable projects.
• Charity team colleagues

The Grants Officer will work autonomously within the Charity department; their work is managed rather than supervised.

Working for our organisation

Come and join our amazing team here at Blue Skies, the Charity for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals.

As a key member of the team, the Grants Officer will work closely with the Head of Charity and colleagues across the team to build a sustainable funding pipeline to help generate significant growth by securing grants.

As an integral member of the team, the Grants Officer will be expected to work with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

You need to be proactive, passionate about the charity, represent the charity and portray it in a positive light.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As a key member of the team, the Grants Officer will work closely with the Head of Charity and colleagues across the team to build a sustainable funding pipeline to help generate significant growth by securing grants by:

• Personally securing substantial gifts from Trusts and Foundations (up to £150k)
• Delivering income targets, in line with the annual budget, from a portfolio of Trusts and Corporate Foundations
• Responsibility for researching Trusts and Corporate Foundations in alignment with a wide variety of projects and appeals that address the needs of BTH
• Developing high-quality bids/applications/cases for support for a variety of funders
• Managing stewardship activities for Trusts and Corporate Foundations, including tracking of reports and payments
• Working proactively with contacts within the Trust to identify and scope opportunities to maximise impact and income
• Working effectively with operational and clinical staff to develop and implement opportunities to foster and strengthen long-term relationships with donors and Trust representatives
• Supporting and developing new engagement events and communications
• Supporting the wider team with large communication, stewardship, or impact reporting activities
• Work collaboratively with the Charity Team to develop a new system for collaborative working in regards to Corporate Foundations, COTY applications, and other written bids for support.
• Develop and manage processes for corporate foundation grants to ensure appropriate banking, thanking, reporting and stewardship is undertaken for all corporate foundation grants.
• Create compelling, high-quality applications that meet the unique expectations of corporate supporters.
• Develop regular activity reports and updates on donor funded activities that clearly indicate progress and impact
• Use, update and develop the CRM database to record approach and grant information, meaningful activities and learning, and to generate portfolio management reports.
• Work collaboratively with the Charity Team to develop and implement engagement and stewardship plans in alignment with existing corporate giving plans, including special events.
• Host visits to BTH by donors or Trustees, ensuring the visit maximises the opportunity to improve the relationship.
• Engage with colleagues across the Trust to identify success and excellence stories to share with our supporters.
• Produce materials such as Impact Reports, website information, Cases for Support and Newsletters appropriate for Major Donors and Trusts with support of the Communications team.
• Ensure that all written communications and materials produced comply with design standards; brand guidelines and appropriate legislation (e.g. style guides, document templates, legal wordings, charities legislation requirements etc).
• Undertake any other task that is commensurate with the post as requested

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Evidence of high-levels of numeracy and literacy and good general level of education
• Degree qualification, in relevant business-related subject, or equivalent experience to degree level

Desirable criteria

• Externally accredited qualification such as IoF Foundation in Fundraising Practice
• Fundraising specific training to degree level, e.g. proposal writing, negotiation skills etc., or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential criteria

• A proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising income targets by writing bids and securing medium value gifts (£10k-£150k) within a Trusts and/or Major Donor Fundraising environment
• Experience researching prospects, including Trusts/Foundations and major donors, and managing data/prospects within a CRM system
• Knowledge of GDPR/data protection laws
• Self-motivated and self-directing; strong time management skills; strong attention to detail; flexible; and honest, with a high degree of personal integrity.
• High emotional intelligence and exceptional interpersonal skills: a ‘people person’. Be able to empathise with people’s stated needs and emotional drivers.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of fundraising trends and experience conducting market research
• Experience of fundraising within a complex organisatione.g. NHS, university etc.
• Experience of fundraising for medical/health related projects.

Other Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to empathise and deal sensitively with distressed people (e.g. recently bereaved)
• Evidence of honesty, reliability and enthusiasm in work settings
• Proven ability to innovate and bring energy to introducing change
• Willingness to train and learn new skills
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends

Desirable criteria

• Driving Licence