Trusts and Foundations Manager

The Role: Trusts and Foundations Manager
We love celebrating our successes and building our supporter base, and we already do it really well. However, there’s always room for improvement. Our ideal candidate will be a powerful storyteller and collector of data, energised by the prospect of making an impact on the lives of children and young people. You may already be an experienced fundraiser or someone with transferable skills that’s ready to pivot. Either way you’ll be our lead Trusts and Foundations contact; researching prospects, crafting appeals, managing relationships and reporting activity. You won’t do it alone, there’s a strong Head Office team, led by our Founder/Artistic Director and Chief Executive, plus a really cracking set of assets. You’ll also inherit a great funding pipeline, strong contacts book, and an exciting plan for our 2026 30th anniversary celebrations. We already raise more than £200,000 from Trusts and Foundations each year; we believe there’s scope to secure more. So if you like a challenge, love music and live for detail, read on.

Job Title:
Trusts & Foundations Manager

Reporting to:
Chief Executive Officer

Supervises:
No line management responsabilities

Pension:
Employer Contribution is currently 5%

Tenure:
Permanent

Holiday entitlement:
28 days per annum, inclusive of Bank Holidays (pro rata)
Office closure for 2 weeks across the Chirstmas period.

Notice:
Three months

Starting Date:
February 2026

RESPONSIBILITIES

Presuasive Advocacy
Design and deliver a successful income generation plan and targets that enables the delivery of our ambitious strategic direction, with the CEO, Artistic Director and National and Regional Choir Producers.

Ensure our overall Case for Support remains compelling and up-to-date. In particular liaise with Producers on evaluation waves and with the Marcomms function to develop creative new storytelling approaches that will bring the impact we make to life.

Lead the application process for Trusts and Foundations and some statutory and corporate organisations, working closely with colleagues across the organisation to collate all necessary information, and compile final applications with detailed budgets and supporting material.

Provide timely receipts, invitations and reports to funding partners, in order to maintain productive and positive relationships with administration staff and Trustees.

Continuously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising activities, aiming to deliver maximum impact and maximum efficiency.

Recommend and drive targeted additional cultivation activity, from the development of standalone investment materials (digital and hard copy) to receptions and events.

Represent NYCOS at internal and external networking opportunities, developing existing and identifying new institutional relationships.

Research and qualify further development opportunities in response to planned activity including artistic and creative learning programmes.

Work closely with colleagues to ensure that grants are spent in line with funding agreements.
Carry out any other duties as deemed appropriate by the Chief Executive.

Precise administration
Maintain accurate records of all grants and donations including the appropriate destination and Gift Aid Declarations using the organisation’s Customer Relationship Management system (CRM).

Manage budgets, prepare financial data and monitor incoming grant payments with the Finance Team.

Ensure the maintenance of up-to-date records, with the ability to generate and analyse data, and ensuring all data adheres to applicable legislation and guidance, including GDPR.

Produce reports for and make presentations to the Board of Trustees as appropriate

SKILS & EXPERIENCE

Essential
Exceptional writing and communication skills, with an ability to convey detailed information in a concise and compelling way.

Ability to work proactively and constructively with senior and junior colleagues to develop high-quality proposals and creative campaigns.

Experience in establishing and stewarding productive relationships with funders and/or other external stakeholders.

Exceptional attention to detail and organisational skills.

Ability to prioritise and meet regular deadlines whilst working under pressure.

Experience of budget development and management.

Desireable:
Track record of designing and implementing fundraising strategies with Trusts and Foundations (or other donor sources) to achieve sustainable revenue.

Proven ability to manage, cultivate and grow a list of active and significant donors.

Track record of designing and implementing sustainable strategies to achieve successful revenue fundraising activities.

Experience of managing innovative fundraising campaigns (for example, via events or digital media).
Knowledge of relevant charity and tax laws.

Understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods and best channels to target audiences .
Experience working with young people and/or in the arts sector

Competencies
Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of people with our work.

Exceptional influencing, negotiation and diplomacy skills.

Ability to think and operate strategically and provide flexible solutions.

Able to deliver to demanding deadlines and with a hands-on approach.

Excellent IT skills including use of CRM.

Ability to self-motivate, work as part of a small team, and support colleagues, even under pressure.

Confident, resilient and resourceful, with the capacity to negotiate through personal influence.

Appreciation of and support for the aims, values and ethos of NYCOS.