Fundraising & Development Intern

Location: Bristol Office (Hybrid – minimum 2 days per week in the office)
Salary: £26,450 per annum (Band B), with a salary review after successful completion of a 6-month probationary period
Job Type: Fixed Term (12 months, with possible extension), Full time (37.5 hours per week)

The role

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and organised individual to join our Development team as a Fundraising & Development Intern. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience across trusts and foundations fundraising, prospect research, donor stewardship and public fundraising campaigns.

You’ll help identify new funding opportunities, maintain our fundraising systems, support grant applications and contribute to fundraising activity that helps CSE deliver lasting impact. You’ll work closely with colleagues from across the organisation, developing valuable skills in development, relationship building, communication and project coordination.

By helping CSE secure sustainable funding, you’ll play an important role in supporting our work to tackle fuel poverty, address climate change and create a fairer energy system for everyone.

Specific responsibilities

An applicant appointed to the role will be expected to:

• Undertake desk-based research to identify and assess trusts, foundations and other grant-making organisations aligned with CSE’s charitable objectives.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records within Beacon CRM, including funder information, research findings and next steps for engagement.
• Support the development of a robust and prioritised funding pipeline by assessing funder eligibility, strategic fit and application requirements.
• Support the preparation of Expressions of Interest (EOIs), funding applications and funding proposals.
• Assist with gathering project information, impact data and organisational content from colleagues across CSE to support fundraising submissions.
• Draft funding summaries, case studies and other written content to support fundraising activities.
• Support the coordination of introductory conversations and meetings with prospective funders and partners.
• Support the planning and delivery of CSE’s annual Share the Warmth fundraising campaign.
• Support donor stewardship activities through Beacon CRM and Mailchimp, including donor communications and supporter journeys.
• Support the coordination of fundraising and development meetings, events and stakeholder engagement activities.

To see a more detailed list of responsibilities please see the supporting documents on our website.

About you

Essential attributes for this role include:

• Strong research skills and the ability to gather and organise information from a range of sources.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and accurate written content.
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and take ownership of tasks.
• Experience of undertaking desk-based research and organising information into accurate records.
• Competence using Microsoft 365 applications, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams and SharePoint.
• Curious and proactive, with an interest in learning about organisations, funding opportunities and relationship development.
• Commitment to CSE’s charitable mission and values.

Please note, the above is an overview of the skills required for this role. To see the full list of essential and desirable skills please see the job description on our website.

Benefits

CSE offer a range of other benefits including:

• Company pension scheme (8% employer, 6% employee contributions)
• You will be entitled to 25 days’ paid holiday (plus statutory holidays)
• Subsidised bike purchase and Tech Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Health Cash plan
• Retail discounts
• Discounted breakdown cover and many more.
• We will pay fees and expenses on relevant training courses.
• We are flexible with the working hours of this role and will discuss this openly if you are invited to interview.

How to apply

To apply, please download and complete the application form available from our website and send it to our Jobs email. Your application should demonstrate your suitability for the role against the criteria outlined in the person specification and job description.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Sunday 13 September 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place 29th or 30th September 2026 (in person at our Bristol office), though this is subject to change.

If invited to interview, we will ask you to provide evidence of eligibility to work in the UK.

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