Fundraiser

Fundraiser
Job Description

Responsible to:

Director of Policy & Influencing

Job Summary:

Families  Outside  is  the  only  national  charity  in  Scotland  that  works  solely  to  support
families affected by imprisonment. Motivated by our vision and purpose, the Fundraiser
role will contribute directly to the sustainability and growth of Families Outside through the
development  and  implementation  of  funding  relationships  to  improve  outcomes  for
families  affected  by  imprisonment.  This  post  is  a  pivotal  role  and  has  responsibility  for
spearheading fundraising initiatives to cover the costs of existing staff and resources, as
well as the expansion required to fulfil Families Outside’s Strategic Aims. This role involves
sourcing  ethical  funding  sources,  developing  compelling  funding  applications,  and
maintaining robust relationships with funders and potential funders.

Our core values guide how each of us works in our individual day to day job:

•  We demonstrate the integrity to be honest, inclusive, respectful, and consistent,

acting in the wider best interest of the families we support.

•  We foster, build, and value expertise to ensure families access the best possible

support, information, and practice.

•  We exercise the tenacity to push for the positive change families deserve.
•  We are genuine in our compassion to respect and value the worth of every individual.

Salary:

£27,598.40 pro rata, £34,498 FTE

Hours:

Location:

28 hours per week (negotiable)

The base of this post is Families Outside Head Office in Edinburgh. The post offers
a hybrid working model, with the expectation of being in the Edinburgh Office 1-2
days per week, and travel across Scotland where required.

Probation:                     A probationary period of 6 months will apply.

Holiday:

25 working days per year, plus 10 Public Holidays increasing to 27 days after five years of
service (all pro rata)

Contract type:        Maternity cover post 12 months

Pension:

The  pension  scheme  is  a  Group  Stakeholder  Pension  Scheme.  Employees
can choose  to opt out of the scheme, but not doing this means automatic
enrolment. Families Outside will contribute  4% to the scheme.  Employees
choose their own level of contribution. The combined total is required to be
at least 7%.

Key Responsibilities

Coordinate fundraising activity to support the sustainability and growth of Families
Outside

•  Research, write, and submit compelling applications to relevant ethical funding

sources.

•  Forge and nurture high-value partnerships, including charitable trusts, foundations, and

corporate entities, to support strategic aims.

•  Working alongside the Senior Management Team and the Fundraising Officer develop,
new and innovative funding bids that further the strategic aims of Families Outside.
•  Maintain robust relationships with funders and potential funders, including ongoing

stewardship and effective communications and updates.

•  Lead and coordinate the timely drafting and submission of funding reports and updates

to funders.

•  Lead and develop new and existing fundraising initiatives, such as fundraising

campaigns and events.

Monitor and report on the fundraising approach

•  Maintain and monitor a comprehensive fundraising database and calendar, ensuring

accuracy and completeness of information on funding sources, deadlines, and criteria.

•  Provide regular verbal and written reports to the Senior Management Team on trends,

forecasts, and developments.

Collaborate across the organisation to maximise the impacts of funding applications and
approaches

•  Work closely with the Senior Management Team, Family Support, and the wider team to

develop funding applications for a wide range of projects and initiatives.

•  Work alongside Finance and the Senior Management Team to develop appropriate
budgets for funding bids and ensure effective resourcing for Families Outside.

•  Ensure a collaborative approach to accurately represent Families Outside’s work, needs

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and impact.
Increase the visibility of families affected by imprisonment in funding applications and
approaches, via case studies, quotes, videos and direct involvement where appropriate.

•  Support the development of meaningful measures of outcomes to improve reporting

and impact measurement.

Other (adhering to all Families Outside organisational policies)

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Maintain excellent attention to detail and accuracy in all work with well-developed
organisational and administrative ability, including proven success in setting up
systems, keeping records, and delivering financial reports to deadline and to a high
standard.
Accept personal responsibility for own learning and professional development.
Provide leadership, including by modelling positive behaviours to the diverse staff
team.
Maintain a basic knowledge and understanding of issues affecting those that
Families Outside seeks to help.
Adhere to the organisation’s data protection, confidentiality, health and safety, and
safeguarding children and vulnerable adult policies.
Be discreet, trustworthy and respectful of diversity, equalities issues, and
confidentiality, adhering to and maintaining professional boundaries at all times.

Person Specification - Selection Criteria

Essential

Desirable

Previous Experience

Experience of working in Fundraising or Business Development

Demonstrable experience of income generation

Proven experience of relationship management

Experience of working in a third sector organisation

Knowledge

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Excellent knowledge of the principles of fundraising                                                                                         *

Knowledge of the Institute of Fundraising Code of Practice in relation to Trust Fundraising                                               *

Some knowledge of the criminal justice system                                                                                                                                     *

Skills and Abilities
Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills

Ability to understand and empathise with the needs of families affected by
imprisonment

Skills in information gathering, analysis, and interpretation

•  Excellent organisational skills, including ability to work on own initiative and to

manage and prioritise workloads effectively
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with excellent formal and
informal verbal communication skills

Computer literate, including experience with databases with excellent written skills
to prepare and present high impact proposals and to correspond professionally

Personal Qualities

Understand and demonstrate commitment to the aims and values of Families Outside

Adaptable, respectful, honest, punctual, and trustworthy

Self-aware, regularly reflecting on your work and its impact on target audiences

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•  Non-judgemental, approachable, reliable, level-headed, and able to maintain

confidentiality and personal boundaries

•  Willing to undertake relevant training, and commitment to personal development

Open to learning from others and willing to share knowledge and best practice when
and as appropriate.

Positive, pro-active approach, with an ability to problem-solve and the drive to
develop and implement new systems and processes as necessary.

Willing to undertake any other duties as may be required from time to time, which are
commensurate with the nature of the post.

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This post may be subject to a disclosure check carried out through Volunteer Scotland.  A previous criminal
record does not automatically prevent someone from qualifying for this post.  Each case will be assessed
on its own merits.

January 2026