Youth Adventure Trust Trusts Fundraising Offi cer Job Pack
Date: 16th May 2026
Prepared by: Louise Balaam, Director of Fundraising and Engagement
Email: louise@youthadventuretrust.org.uk Tel: 07904 037525
Summary
Title: Trusts Fundraising Offi cer
Reports To: Trusts Fundraising Manager
Location: Home-based in the South West
Contract: Permanent, full time
Salary: £24,000
Benefi ts: 25 days plus public holidays pro rata, Employee Assistance Programme, Bike to Work Scheme, additional birthday day-off , 5% pension contribution, WFH allowance
Application: Application Form
Closing Date: Tuesday 16th June 2026 at 23:59
The Role
If you have a talent for story telling, are looking for a role where your words can make a lasting impact and are passionate about giving vulnerable young people life changing opportunities, then this is the job for you. We’re seeking a talented individual who can tell our story and help secure vital funding from trusts and grant-makers.
Trusts and other grant-makers are an important source of funding for our charity. As we look ahead, we’re expanding our Trusts fundraising portfolio to meet the growing needs of our programmes. This is where you come in.
As our Trusts Fundraising Offi cer, you’ll be an inspiring storyteller whose enthusiasm for our work shines through in your writing. You’ll play a key role in researching new funders, crafting compelling funding applications and keeping our supporters engaged with our work. Your work will involve developing case studies and gathering evidence to show the need for our services. This will help secure sustainable funding. You’ll be supported by our experienced Trusts Fundraising Manager to build lasting relationships with funders. Together, you’ll keep them engaged and informed about the positive impact they’re making on the young people we support.
The Trusts Fundraising Offi cer must be self-motivated, well organised, able to multi-task, have good administration skills and understand the “power of the outdoors”. Paid or voluntary experience in a fundraising environment is essential. This is a great opportunity for somebody looking to take the next step in their career, with plenty of scope to develop your skills and experience within a supportive team. Whilst the role is home-based you must live in the South West to ensure easy access for in-person meetings.
The Charity
At the Youth Adventure Trust, we use outdoor adventure to empower vulnerable young people from Swindon, Wiltshire and Somerset to fulfi l their potential and lead positive lives in the future. We work with them to build resilience, develop confi dence and learn skills that will last a lifetime, helping them to face the challenges in their lives. Dedicated support, guidance and mentoring from our staff and volunteers ensures young people receive the maximum benefi t from our long-term intervention. Our aim is to make a lasting improvement to the lives of vulnerable young people. All our services are provided completely free of charge to the young people who are nominated by schools and other youth organisations to take part.
We’re proud to off er our programmes completely free of charge to participants which means the fundraising team is crucial. With ambitious plans to help more young people over the coming years, our Events Fundraising Offi cer role is an exciting opportunity to make a real diff erence. You’ll be well-supported as part of a small fundraising team with a big heart, with plenty of opportunities to visit our programmes and see the tangible impact of your work.
What We’re Looking For:
Outstanding communication skills – You can write clearly, persuasively and passionately. You’re confi dent speaking to others about the charity’s work.
Writing experience – You have experience writing successful funding applications, proposals, or compelling articles, ideally but not necessarily with a fundraising focus
Fundraising experience - You may not have written a grant application before but you should have some paid or voluntary experience in a fundraising capacity.
Attention to detail – You take pride in your work, have a good eye for detail and a thorough approach.
Creativity - able to put together eye-catching proposals, impact graphics and social media posts.
Self-motivation and organisation – You’re able to manage your own time and prioritise eff ectively.
Passion for the outdoors and youth development – You understand the importance of giving vulnerable young people outdoor experiences and are willing to put on your waterproofs and join in on our activities and camps to witness fi rst-hand the diff erence the Youth Adventure Trust makes.
Willingness to learn - if you think you have what it takes but don’t have lots of experience as a Trusts Fundraiser, this role comes with plenty of scope to develop your writing skills and gain experience within a supportive team environment.
Job Description
Key responsibilities include:
Telling our story in engaging and compelling ways to show prospective funders the diff erence they could make to vulnerable young people by supporting our work;
Stewarding our existing funders to keep them engaged with our work and aware of the impact they are having as well as meeting their reporting requirements;
Working with colleagues across the organisation to identify projects of interest to potential funders and develop meaningful success stories about the young people at diff erent stages on their Youth Adventure journey;
Identifying and researching prospective trust funders and grant makers;
Assisting colleagues by preparing fi rst draft applications and proof-reading fi nal versions;
Preparing, writing and submitting high quality funding applications to agreed prospective and existing funders and meeting deadlines;
Drafting our monthly e-newsletter to keep all of our subscribers up to date with our work and promote various fundraising and volunteering opportunities;
Designing eye-catching social media posts, impact graphics and proposals using tools such as Canva;
Contributing to an agreed annual income target from trusts, foundations and other grant making bodies and helping to increase that income stream over the next few years;
Using the database eff ectively to keep accurate records of funding applications, ensure good stewardship of funders and report on funding pipelines as required;
Preparing and sharing social media posts to showcase our work and acknowledge our funders;
Keeping up to date with relevant legislation and news stories, collating this information and sharing it with colleagues to help create a compelling case for support;
Contributing to the fundraising team’s annual targets and the wider charity objectives;
Acting as an ambassador for the Youth Adventure Trust.
Person Specifi cation
We need someone with:
An excellent writing style with an eye for detail and the ability to create a compelling case for support;
The ability to gather information, collate it, fi lter the relevant messages and communicate them eff ectively;
Paid or voluntary experience in a fundraising environment, ideally with a proven track record of submitting grant applications or funding proposals - relevant transferable skills will be taken into consideration;
Strong administrative and IT skills with experience of using a database to keep records and manage work fl ows;
Confi dent user of social media and experience using design platforms such as Canva or Photoshop;
Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise work, juggle confl icting demands and meet tight deadlines;
Lives in the South West, willingness to work variable hours, fl exibility to travel occasionally and able to work from home;
Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people
A good understanding of the positive impact outdoor adventure can have on vulnerable young people and a desire to help the Youth Adventure Trust change more lives.
Safer Recruitment
The Youth Adventure Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and requires all employees to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.
Please be advised;
● a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Disclosure will be required for this post;
we will seek references on shortlisted candidates before a second interview, and may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifi cations;
if the applicant is shortlisted, any relevant issues arising from his or her references or application will be taken up at interview;
in accordance with due diligence checks, online searches may be conducted as part of the selection process on shortlisted candidates;
if the applicant is currently working with children, on either a paid or voluntary basis, his or her current employer will be asked about disciplinary off ences relating to children, including any in which the penalty is “time expired” (e.g. where a warning could no longer be taken into account in any new disciplinary hearing), and whether the applicant has been the subject of any child protection concerns, and if so, the outcome of any enquiry or disciplinary procedure. If the applicant is not currently working with children but has done so in the past, then contact will be made with that employer who will be asked about these issues; and
applicants should note that providing false information is an off ence and could result in the application being rejected, or dismissal if the applicant has been selected, and possible referral to the police.
Please review our Safeguarding Policy available at www.youthadventuretrust.org.uk/policies
How to Apply
Please complete the Application Form which includes the opportunity to outline why you think you are suitable for this role, making specifi c reference to the Job Description and Person Specifi cation above.
The Application Form should be returned to:
Louise Balaam, Director of Fundraising by email: louise@youthadventuretrust.org.uk
Applicants are welcome to call Louise on 07904 037525 if they would like to discuss the role or the application process before applying.
Applications Closing Date:
Tuesday 16th June at 23:59
Shortlisted candidates will be notifi ed by Friday 19th June
Interview Date:
Phone Interviews w/c 22nd June
In person Interviews Thursday 6th July (Location TBC)
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a written task before the interview.
Unfortunately we are unable to reimburse interview expenditure incurred.
The Youth Adventure Trust sincerely thanks all those who apply, however only those considered for an interview will be contacted.
Data Protection Statement
For information about how we use your data, please see the Privacy Policy on our website www.youthadventuretrust.org.uk/privacy, or request a hard copy by calling 0330 123 2446.
Equal Opportunities and Diversity Statement
The Youth Adventure Trust is an equal opportunities employer, values diversity and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment.
Additional documentation with this Job Pack:
Application form
Recruitment of Ex-off enders Policy