Head of Fundraising & Philanthropy

Head of Fundraising & Philanthropy
Permanent Full-time (37.5 hours per week) – Flexible working arrangements considered.
Salary: £45,056–£49,417 (dependent on experience)
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Bristol (Hybrid working)

Help Transform the Future of Rivers Across the Bristol Avon

This is a rare opportunity to build something that will have a lasting impact.

Over the past several years, Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) has become one of the UK’s fastest-growing Rivers Trusts, securing investment to restore rivers, reconnect habitats, reduce flooding and engage communities across the Bristol Avon catchment.

Now we’re ready for the next stage of our journey.

We are looking for an ambitious and experienced fundraising leader to build and lead an entirely new area of our organisation – developing sustainable voluntary income that enables us to do more than project funding alone can achieve.

This is an opportunity to create something from the ground up. You will shape our fundraising strategy, diversify our income, build long-term relationships with supporters and partners, and unlock investment that will directly improve rivers, wildlife and communities across our region.

If you’re motivated by building successful fundraising programmes with genuine environmental impact, we’d love to hear from you.

About Bristol Avon Rivers Trust

Founded in 2012, Bristol Avon Rivers Trust works across the Bristol Avon catchment to restore rivers for wildlife, people and the local economy.

Everything we do is guided by the best available science and a catchment based approach, working across entire catchments to improve biodiversity, climate resilience, water quality and flood resilience.

Since 2023, the Trust has experienced significant growth. We now employ around 20 staff, deliver approximately £1.3 million of projects annually, and work alongside local partnerships, farmers, landowners, communities, local authorities, businesses and government agencies.

Our ambition over the next five years is even greater.

To deliver our Strategy 2025–2030, we need to complement our strong track record in project funding with a sustainable programme of unrestricted and philanthropic income.

About the Role

Help shape the future Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART).

This is much more than a fundraising role.

You’ll have the opportunity to design and lead BART’s long-term fundraising strategy, creating entirely new income streams that will support restoration of rivers, education, community engagement, project development and organisational resilience.

Our immediate priority is to diversify our income beyond project grants by growing:

• Individual giving
• Philanthropic and charitable foundation support
• Corporate partnerships
• Major donors
• Legacy giving
• Unrestricted income opportunities

While these priorities have been identified strategically, we are looking for someone with the experience and creativity to refine the approach, test new ideas and build a sustainable fundraising programme for the future.

Success during your first 12 months will include:

• Developing and launching BART’s fundraising strategy
• Building a compelling case for supporting the Trust’s work
• Establishing a strong pipeline of unrestricted income opportunities
• Growing relationships and excellent communications with supporters and funders
• Embedding fundraising across the organisation
• Creating clear KPIs and reporting frameworks with the CEO and Trustees

This is a highly strategic position reporting directly to the Chief Executive.

The successful candidate will work closely with an engaged Leadership Team and supportive Board of Trustees, who recognise fundraising as a strategic priority for the organisation’s future growth.

Our CEO has extensive experience securing major grant funding and developing partnerships, and will work closely alongside you to help establish and grow this new function.

As with any investment in fundraising, success will be measured against mutually agreed objectives and long-term growth rather than immediate financial return. We recognise that developing sustainable fundraising takes time, and we are committed to supporting the successful candidate to build a lasting programme.

What You’ll Be Doing

You will:

• Develop and implement BART’s Fundraising and Philanthropy Strategy.
• Diversify unrestricted income from individuals, trusts and foundations, philanthropy, corporate partnerships, legacies and other voluntary income streams.
• Develop a compelling organisational Case for Support aligned to BART’s Five-Year Strategy.
• Work with the CEO and Leadership Team to establish fundraising priorities and KPIs.
• Lead fundraising campaigns, communications, and supporter engagement initiatives.
• Manage and develop BART’s supporter journey using our Beacon CRM system.
• Work closely with our Trust Administrator, who provides administrative support to the organisation, including support for CRM administration and fundraising processes.
• Coordinate fundraising activity across the Trust and ensure opportunities are maximised.
• Build strong relationships with major donors, funders and strategic partners.
• Ensure compliance with the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice.
• Report regularly to the Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.

Why This Role is Different

This is an opportunity to build a fundraising programme with exceptional foundations already in place.

You will benefit from:

• A highly respected and growing environmental charity.
• Strong project delivery with proven environmental impact.
• An experienced CEO with a successful track record of securing significant funding and developing strategic partnerships.
• A supportive Board committed to growing fundraising.
• A database managed through Beacon CRM.
• A recognised and trusted regional brand with significant opportunities for growth.

You’ll have genuine freedom to shape the future direction of fundraising at BART.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is ambitious, entrepreneurial and excited by creating something new.

You’ll ideally have:

• At least five years’ experience in fundraising or philanthropy.
• Experience developing fundraising strategies and delivering income growth.
• Knowledge of trusts, foundations, philanthropy, individual giving or corporate fundraising.
• Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills.
• Strong planning and project management skills.
• Experience using CRM systems (Beacon experience welcomed but not essential).
• Excellent written communication, storytelling and bid-writing skills.
• The ability to translate complex environmental work into compelling fundraising propositions.
• A passion for rivers and their recovery and creating meaningful impact.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas closure.
• Holiday increases with length of service.
• 9% employer pension contribution.
• Life Assurance.
• Hybrid and flexible working.
• A supportive and collaborative team culture.
• Professional development opportunities.

Why Join BART?

Healthy rivers are fundamental to tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, flood resilience and community wellbeing.

Joining BART means becoming part of a passionate, ambitious organisation that delivers measurable environmental change every day.

Most importantly, this role gives you the opportunity to build something with lasting impact.

The fundraising programme you create will enable thousands more people to connect with and restore rivers across the Bristol Avon catchment for generations to come.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and supported.

We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and communities, particularly those underrepresented within the environmental sector.

Further Information

To learn more about our work, visit: Bristol Avon Rivers Trust