Remuneration:28,000 - 30,000 FTE (dependent on experience)Reports to: Chief ExecutiveTerm of appointment: PermanentHours of work: 0.8 FTE (30hrs per week) (flexible for the right candidate)Holidays: Uncapped annual leave, plus two week-long shutdownsMain work address: Hybrid - a mix of remote working and time at our Abingdon office. The role involves regular travel across Oxfordshire to meet funders, partners, and community supporters, and occasional evening or weekend work for events and networking.Apply (by clicking the relevant button) after checking through all the related job information below.Closing date: midday 21 JulyInterviews: w/c 28 July or w/c 4 AugustAbout Quest for LearningQuest for Learning is an education charity on a mission to close the gap for primary school children in Oxfordshire who are falling behind - often due to complex and compounding disadvantage. Many of the children we support are growing up in poverty, with limited access to books, low parental literacy, and challenging home environments. Some face health inequalities, live in areas affected by crime, or have recently arrived in the UK as refugees or asylum seekers.We work closely with schools to provide targeted, high-impact literacy and numeracy programmes that give these children the chance to catch up, thrive, and believe in their potential. On average, our small-group tutoring helps pupils make 13 months of progress in just 10 hours - building not only essential skills, but also confidence, motivation, and a renewed sense of possibility.The impact extends well beyond the classroom. By supporting children early, we help prevent the need for more complex and costly interventions later in life, from mental health support to exclusion and social care. Our work contributes to stronger, fairer communities by giving every child the foundation they need to participate fully in society. In doing so, we are advancing social sustainability and helping to meet global goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals for Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, and Good Health and Wellbeing.Role PurposeThis is a hands-on and outward-facing role for a confident, capable fundraiser ready to lead Quest for Learnings income generation efforts. As our sole dedicated fundraiser, youll take ownership of securing income across a broad mix of streams - including trusts and foundations, community fundraising, individual giving, and corporate partnerships.Youll be out and about representing the charity, building relationships with local businesses, community groups, and supporters, and bringing our mission to life with energy and clarity. You'll need to be a proactive self-starter who enjoys meeting people, thrives in a varied role, and is motivated by delivering results that improve life chances for disadvantaged children.This is a busy and varied role which often involves working on multiple fundraising activities at once. A typical day could include working on an application to a new funder, designing a supporter newsletter, gathering information for an end of grant report, and researching new prospects.This role would suit someone with experience of securing funding, managing funder relationships, and developing new opportunities - all with a focus on practical delivery. Youll work closely with the CEO, leadership and programme teams, and our board of trustees to help grow a diverse and sustainable income base.Key ResponsibilitiesTrusts and foundationsResearch and identify prospective funders, building a robust pipelineWrite and submit compelling, tailored funding applicationsDeliver timely, high-quality reports with evidence of impactBuild and maintain strong relationships with funders through clear, proactive stewardshipMonitor success rates and financial information and adapt strategy to improve performanceCommunity fundraisingInitiate and grow partnerships with local community groups (e.g. WIs, Rotary clubs, schools, churches)Support or coordinate local fundraising events and campaigns (e.g. fun runs, quizzes, coffee mornings)Attend community events to represent the charity and engage new supportersEquip and support individuals and groups to fundraise on our behalfCorporate partnerships and other earned incomeBuild relationships with local and regional businesses to secure sponsorship, gifts-in-kind or Charity of the Year supportDevelop creative, mutually beneficial opportunities to engage corporate partnersWork with the CEO and board to identify and cultivate prospectsExplore other potential income streams including education consultancy or training offersIndividual Giving and supporter engagementSupport the development of campaigns to encourage donations from individualsHelp create a compelling case for support across our communicationsIdentify opportunities to increase visibility and supporter base (e.g. speaking engagements, community fairs)Ensure Quest for Learning is regularly engaging with our supportersChampion the use of storytelling and pupil outcomes to inspire givingMarketing and communications (fundraising-focused)Develop fundraising messaging and materials with the CEO and teamLead on all communications relating to fundraising and supporter engagementEnsure consistent branding and tone across all fundraising-related commsShare our impact with passion and clarity to motivate supportersPlanning and systemsMaintain accurate and up-to-date records in our Beacon CRMTrack income performance and contribute to budgeting and forecastingCreate and deliver realistic workplans to manage multiple deadlinesLiaise with programme staff to gather data and stories for fundersReport on income and fundraising activities to CEO and trusteesPerson SpecificationEssentialProven experience in fundraising, with a track record of securing income across multiple streamsStrong communication skills, with the ability to explain our mission clearly and persuasively to a wide range of audiencesExcellent bid writing and reporting skillsStrategic thinking and problem-solving skillsConfidence in networking, public speaking, and relationship-buildingProactive, self-motivated, and happy to work independentlyHighly organised with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneouslyValues-led, personable and enthusiastic - able to represent the charity with warmth and professionalismDesirableExperience working in a small charity or education settingKnowledge of the Oxfordshire funding landscape or local networksExperience with community fundraising, challenge events, or individual givingSkills in Canva, Mailchimp or similar content creation toolsFamiliarity with Beacon or similar fundraising CRMsUnderstanding of primary education and the barriers disadvantaged children faceExperience producing fundraising workplans or reports for trusteesWhy work with us?Quest for Learning is a friendly, values-led education charity with a big mission and a supportive culture. Were committed to flexibility, wellbeing and professional growth, and we believe in helping our team thrive while doing meaningful work.We offer:Unlimited annual leave(minimum 28 days pro rata, plus bank holidays), with full charity shutdowns in August and at ChristmasFlexible hybrid workingwith autonomy over your scheduleA culture oftrust, kindness, and high standardsOpportunities to test ideas, develop skills and shape a growing organisationHow to apply Please do not apply via the Apply Now button on LinkedIn To apply, please complete the application form and submit torecruitment@questforlearning.org.ukFor an informal chat about the role, please contact Chris Higgins, Chief Executive atinfo@questforlearning.org.uk
Job Title
Fundraiser