A message from our Director of Fundraising
The 700,000 children and young people in London living in poverty are growing up in a perfect storm, facing an inactivity pandemic and a mental health crisis. Young people who are less physically and mentally fit do less well in life. We believe in the transformative power of football to help address these challenges.
But the benefits of regular access to the beautiful game are not open to all and impossibly expensive for many. Our financial assistance model, coupled with
mapping our service delivery around areas of highest deprivation, is already making regular football accessible for over 6,200 children and young people every week. In the context of an increasingly segregated society, we also bring together children from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicities and nationalities – facilitating friendships across these societal divides.
We’ve come a long way in a short period but are determined to reach as many young people as possible. That will mean significantly expanding our Girls Football
provision; expanding outreach and delivery to more of London’s most economically disadvantaged areas; and supporting more young people through our ‘Refugee & Asylum Seeker’ and ‘Disability Football’ programmes.
We have punched above our weight – growing fundraised income from £0.75m, to over £3.5m over the last three years. We’re
aiming to continue and accelerate this trajectory, growing fundraised income to c.£8m by 2028. Our new Senior Head of Trusts & Foundations will play a key role in enabling this growth.
We’re looking for somebody who believes it is possible for Bloomsbury Football Foundation’s fundraising team to be the most effective in the country and backs themselves to be instrumental in making that happen. Our fast-paced and ambitious culture is matched by a commitment to the personal growth of each team member and a palpably fun, friendly and supportive environment in which to work.
Anthony Hayman
Director of Fundraising
About the role
Our new Senior Head of Trusts & Foundations will work closely with the Director of Fundraising and CEO to grow our largest income stream. Trusts and foundations currently generate around £2
million of our £3.5 million annual fundraised income, and in the last financial year alone we secured our first two seven-figure multi-year commitments and two further £0.5 million multi-year commitments - testament to the huge potential in this area.
The postholder will be an exceptional writer with a passion for producing compelling, world-class applications and reports that inspire confidence and investment. They will spend most of their time in the office developing bids and delivering outstanding written stewardship, while managing two more junior, but very bright, trust fundraisers to do the same. They will be a trusted and respected member of the wider team, working closely with colleagues across the charity to gather insights that help shape strong bids and beautifully written communications for our supporters.
AI is going to revolutionise trusts and foundations fundraising. The postholder will, with the expert support of our Digital team, help develop and embed AI solutions that boost the quality and pace of our work - unlocking new opportunities and helping to accelerate the charity’s success.
While the primary focus of the role is writing, the postholder will also play an active external role - joining the CEO and Director of Fundraising at key meetings with funders and leading significant pitches where required.
We are working to achieve scale at a level no other sport-for-good charity in the UK ever has - the postholder will be pivotal in making that ambition a reality.
About you – what we’re looking for
We are looking for the best trusts and foundations grant and report writer in the UK. This is a role for someone already at the top of their game - who knows they can deliver high-value results quickly and thrives on producing work of exceptional quality, time and time again.
You will have a proven track record of securing significant multi-year grants from major trusts and foundations, and back yourself to build on that success here. You will bring confidence, credibility and professionalism to your interactions with colleagues, while embracing time at your desk crafting world-class bids and stewardship reports that stand out from the crowd. Knowing how to sell persuasively,
both by email and on paper, will be key, as well as tailoring your approach for each funder and every interaction.
You will be calm under pressure
and enjoy taking on significant responsibility with real autonomy - while remaining open to support, feedback and challenge from senior colleagues and your team.
This role requires a growth mindset - always looking for ways to learn
and improve
while helping your team do the same. You won’t need to be an AI expert, but you must be highly digitally literate and fully committed to embracing new technology to boost the quality and speed of your work - and to help rollout this approach across the team as quickly and effectively as possible.
You will lead by example - setting a high bar for your team and for colleagues across the charity, and bringing rigour, creativity and warmth to every funding relationship you help build.
For less experienced candidates who back themselves to deliver, we would be willing to consider this as a ‘Head of’ role at £42,000-£55,000.
Key Responsibilities
Deliver world-class trusts and foundations fundraising
- Write outstanding grant applications and stewardship reports that secure significant, multi-year funding.
- Lead on the development of persuasive, tailored proposals for new and existing funders.
- Take responsibility for maintaining and significantly
growing our annual income from trusts and foundations (currently c.£2m).
- Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and CEO to identify, approach and cultivate new high-value grant funders.
- Support other income streams with key funding bids e.g. major corporate partnerships bids.
Lead and develop the trusts team
- Manage two more junior
but very bright and competent trust fundraisers, supporting their development and ensuring they deliver to a high standard.
- Build a strong, positive team culture that balances ambition with collaboration and learning.
Drive innovation and AI adoption
- Champion the use of AI and new technology to improve the quality, pace and scale of our trusts and foundations work.
- Work with the Digital team to develop practical AI solutions that embed efficiencies and unlock new opportunities.
Build trusted relationships internally and externally
- Be a respected and proactive partner to colleagues across the charity, gathering information and stories to shape strong bids.
- Join senior colleagues in representing the charity at meetings with funders, with confidence and professionalism.
- Lead on presentations and pitches when appropriate, securing long-term partnerships and repeat funding.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Proven track record of securing significant, multi-year grants from major trusts and foundations - preferably seven-figure gifts and definitely multiple six-figure gifts.
- Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, compelling and tailored proposals and reports.
- Confident and credible with senior stakeholders and funders.
- Calm, professional and highly organised under pressure, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
- Demonstrable experience of managing or mentoring others to deliver high-quality work.
- Digitally literate and fully committed to embracing AI and other new technologies to enhance delivery.
- A growth mindset, with a clear commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
- Able to work independently and take significant responsibility, while remaining open to feedback and collaboration.
- Eligible to work in the UK. Bloomsbury Football Foundation does not sponsor work visas.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience in using AI-enabled tools or processes for fundraising.
- Knowledge of the sport-for-good sector.
- Experience leading presentations or pitches to high-value funders.
- Strong networks within the trusts and foundations community.
Benefits:
- Modern office in Camden Markets with free gym membership and local market discounts.
- Regular staff socials.
- Opportunities to attend Premier League, WSL, FA Cup, League Cup, and Champions League football matches.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Workplace pension scheme.
- 24 days holiday allowance, increasing by one day per year after two years’ service.
- Funding toward training and
five days of fully paid study leave.
Application Process:
Please apply directly through the link on Bloomsbury Football Foundation’s website.
Screening process:
- CV screen sifting
- Initial call with in-house Talent Lead
- Written task
- Final stage with Director of Fundraising and CEO
For any questions on this position, please reach out to [email protected]
This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
