We are seeking a dedicated Philanthropy Officer who will help sustain and grow the organisation’s income. This involves managing timelines for applications and reports, writing high-quality proposals and impact reports (often in collaboration with colleagues in policy, science, communications, and finance), and researching new funding opportunities.
The role also includes maintaining strong relationships with existing funders by providing timely updates outside of formal reporting, and leading on the drafting of the organisation’s annual report to clearly communicate achievements and impact.
CHEM Trust’s overarching aim is to prevent synthetic chemicals from causing long-term damage to wildlife and people by ensuring that chemicals which cause such harm are substituted with safer alternatives.
Currently, we are primarily funded by trusts and foundations and are very successful, raising significant funds to facilitate the sustained growth of the organisation and our reserves. We have an ethical funding policy, and it is imperative that we maintain our independence and science-based approach.
Key Duties
- Fundraising activity – preparing compelling and bespoke proposals tailored to donor requirements, ensuring effective stewardship of charitable trust and foundation major gifts within CHEM Trust’s portfolio by building relationships and providing on-time reports and updates.
- Working cross-organisationally, to ensure relevant information is obtained from CHEM Trust’ team members in a timely fashion to report to funders in advance of deadlines.
- Timeline management – keeping an accurate track of the necessary reporting and application deadlines and ensuring these are communicated in good time to relevant team members.
- Developing relationships and networking – including excellent donor stewardship to existing funders and using events, meetings, talks and inspirational writing to help charitable trusts learn about CHEM Trust’s work and understand the difference we are making.
- Recording and maintaining accurate funding data, ensuring records are kept and effectively managed and that CHEM Trust’s fundraising team operates within GDPR.
- Good team working - daily interaction with the fundraising team, wider CHEM Trust team, funding partners and others, plus possible interaction with trustees.
- Leading on the writing of the annual report, tailoring it to be a key document that prospective funders can use to get a succinct overview of CHEM Trust’s vision, goals, and achievements.
To apply, please send us:
Your CV and supporting statement (2 sides maximum) explaining (with examples) how you meet each of the essential (and desirable if possible) skills as outlined in this job description.
Your CV or supporting statement should include the names and contact details of two references with knowledge of your work.
The deadline for applications is 11pm on Sunday 14 September 2025. We plan to interview shortlisted candidates on Wednesday 24 September 2025.
Unfortunately, we only have the capacity to contact shortlisted candidates.
