Freelance Fundraising Consultant
THE BRIDGE FOUNDATION
225 per day
Remote
Full-time
Listed 5 days ago
Freelance Fundraising Consultant Job Pack Position title Freelance Fundraising Consultant Location Remote / hybrid. Occasional in-person meetings in Bristol as agreed (e.g. funder meetings or planning sessions). Hours Approximately 1.5–2.5 days per week (flexible), with occasional in-person meetings in Bristol. Contract Freelance / self-employed Rate £225–£300 per day, depending on experience. Reports to CEO About The Bridge Foundation For over 40 years, we’ve been dedicated to bringing high-quality, not-for-profit therapeutic services directly to those who need it most. We support people from all walks of life across our services, including through our Bridge in Schools provision, our innovative school-based mental health programme. The Bridge Foundation was established because the founders recognised that some of Bristol’s most vulnerable children and families were unable to access the high- quality mental health support they needed. We aim to deliver life-changing psychotherapy in Bristol and beyond, ensuring vulnerable children and families experience the benefit. Job purpose and context To lead the strategic development and delivery of income from Trusts and Foundations, philanthropic, and corporate sources, securing and stewarding grant funding aligned with the organisation’s priorities. The consultant will manage the full funding cycle from prospect research and application writing through to funder reporting, working collaboratively with internal colleagues to evidence impact. Key Deliverable: Generate a minimum of £120,000 of grant income over the 2026/27 financial year. Potential for Ongoing Engagement: The role is intended to continue beyond the first year for candidates who successfully deliver income growth and strengthen funder relationships. Key relationships • CEO • Prospective, current and past funders and partners • Evaluation and Monitoring Data Analyst • Clinical colleagues contributing to funding bids and reporting Role description Fundraising • Develop and deliver a fundraising strategy focused primarily on securing grant funding from trusts and foundations. • Maintain a diverse grants portfolio and actively research, identify and pursue new funding opportunities, including multi-year grants. • Steward funder relationships, ensuring timely, personalised updates on the impact of funding. • Write compelling grant applications for continuation funding and new • projects. Identify, research and develop contacts to build warm leads for funding opportunities; support or lead funder pitches where appropriate. • Build on early-stage corporate funding activity to develop sustainable income streams. • Maintain accurate fundraising records using the organisation’s CRM system (AirTable). • Balance prospect research with effective stewardship and renewal of existing funders. • Work with the Evaluation and Monitoring Data Analyst to collate statistics, outcomes, case studies and testimonials required for applications and reports. • Advise the CEO on fundraising opportunities, risks and pipeline development. • Scan for funding opportunities that align with organisational priorities and emerging service developments. • Support clinical colleagues’ involvement in fundraising activity where relevant (e.g. funder meetings, feedback collection, evidence gathering). General • Work independently while collaborating effectively with internal colleagues. • Participate in agreed planning meetings related to fundraising activity. • Maintain high standards of data protection, confidentiality and professional practice. • Comply with the Bridge Foundation’s relevant policies and procedures. • Undertake other fundraising-related tasks as agreed with the CEO. Person Specification Desirable • Experience of working in mental health and/or children and young people sectors. Essential Experience • Proven fundraising track record, including management of multi-year grants. • Experience of the full funding cycle: prospect research, application writing, funder stewardship and impact reporting. • Experience of building and maintaining effective relationships with external stakeholders. • Ability to manage a varied workload and meet deadlines autonomously. • Experience of developing and improving fundraising processes and systems. Skills and knowledge • Excellent written • Knowledge of local communication skills, particularly for grant applications and reports. • Strong organisational skills and attention to detail. • Numerically confident, with experience contributing to or managing project budgets. fundraising landscape (Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset). • Knowledge of factors affecting mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. • Knowledge of therapeutic • Confident in presenting funding proposals and discussing projects with sector funders. • Ability to work independently, prioritise work, and manage time effectively. • Competence using CRM or database systems for fundraising record-keeping. Personal qualities • Solution-focused and proactive. • Collaborative and able to work constructively with a range of colleagues. • Empathy for the mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by children and young people. • Commitment to the organisation’s mission and values. • Professional, reliable and self- aware. • Energy, enthusiasm and creativity applied specifically to fundraising development.