Befriend a Child are looking for a Senior Trusts and Grants Co-ordinator to join our dynamic fundraising team to support the growth of our income from charitable trusts, foundations and grant-making organisations.

The postholder will research funding opportunities, develop high-quality grant applications and reports, manage relationships with funders and maintain a strong pipeline of funding opportunities to support the charity’s programmes and longer-term development. The role will work collaboratively across the organisation to gather information, develop compelling funding proposals and ensure that funding opportunities align with organisational priorities.

If you are inspired by our cause, can demonstrate success achieved in a similar role, are organised with excellent writing skills, we would love to hear from you.

This is a full-time post, working 35 hours a week.  Our working day is generally 9.00am – 4.30pm with occasional evening and weekend work in which we operate flexitime and TOIL.  This role is based in our office at 9 Bon Accord Square Aberdeen with some hybrid working if desired.

For an informal chat to find out more or a recruitment pack please contact Katie Kyle on k.kyle@befriendachild.org.uk or call 01224-210060. Closing date for applications is Sunday 29th March 2026.

 About the role

The Senior Trusts and Grants Co-ordinator plays a key role in supporting the organisation’s fundraising strategy by securing income from trusts, foundations and other grant-making organisations.

The postholder will research funding opportunities, develop high-quality grant applications and reports, manage relationships with funders and maintain a strong pipeline of funding opportunities to support the charity’s programmes and longer term development.

The role will work collaboratively across the organisation to gather information, develop compelling funding proposals and ensure that funding opportunities align with organisational priorities.

Key Responsibilities

 Trusts and Grants Fundraising

• Work towards agreed trusts and grants income targets and key performance indicators (KPIs), contributing to the delivery of the organisation’s overall fundraising objectives
• Research prospective and lapsed trusts and foundations to identify relevant funding opportunities aligned with organisational priorities
• Develop compelling, high-quality funding proposals, applications and reports that clearly articulate the charity’s mission, programmes and impact
• Prepare and submit funding proposals, applications and reports
• Work collaboratively with the Operations team to gather information for funding applications and reporting
• Ensure all application and reporting deadlines set by funders are met
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of trust and grant funding opportunities aligned with organisational priorities and income targets
• Monitor application timelines, reporting requirements and funding outcomes to support effective pipeline management

Funder Relationship Management

• Act as key contact for trusts and foundations
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with existing and prospective funders
• Maintain regular communication with funders and provide updates on funded projects

Database and Record Management

• Manage and maintain the charity’s Trusts and Foundations database
• Ensure accurate and up-to-date records of funding sources, applications and contact details
• Maintain electronic records and documentation relating to funding opportunities, applications and reporting

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Assist the Head of Marketing and Fundraising in producing KPIs for trusts and grants performance monitoring and evaluation
• Produce statistical reports and financial analyses to support evaluation and decision-making
• Maintain accurate records to provide feedback to stakeholders as required

Communications and Collaborations

• Work with the Senior Marketing and Communications Coordinator to keep the charity website and social media up to date with relevant trusts fundraising news
• Share relevant trusts and grants updates with internal teams
• Collaborate with Senior Management Team to develop projects suitable for funding
• Provide support to colleagues involved in bid writing and funder relationship management

Additional Responsibilities

• Promote Befriend a Child’s vision, mission and values and be an ambassador of the charity
• Keep up-to-date with relevant voluntary and third sector news and share your knowledge with the team
• Support the delivery of fundraising and volunteer events and activities, including occasional evening and weekend work
• Ensure compliance with all Befriend a Child policies, procedures and professional standards
• Undertake any additional duties consistent with the nature of the role

This is an outline job description designed to give an overview of the responsibilities of the role. We expect the job holder will work flexibly, responding to organisational need and changes as they occur.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Experience and Knowledge

• Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience
• Proven ability to write accurate, clear, concise and persuasive written proposals or funding applications
• Experience of working to agreed targets and deadlines through effective time management and prioritisation
• Knowledge of grant application processes and requirements
• Understanding of the voluntary or third sector
• Demonstrable experience of securing income from trusts, foundation or other grant-making organisations (desirable)
• Experience of researching and identifying funding opportunities (desirable)
• Experience of producing monitoring or evaluation reports for funders (desirable)
• Knowledge of trusts and foundations funding landscape in Scotland (desirable)

Required Skills

• Excellent written communication skills
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with internal colleagues and external funders
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Good IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office applications
• Self-motivated with a positive and proactive approach to work
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders
• Ability to think creatively and identify new funding opportunities
• An understanding of project budgets and financial information (desirable)

About Befriend a Child

At Befriend a Child we believe every child deserves a happy childhood and the best chance in life to succeed and thrive. We support children and young people growing up in difficult life circumstances across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. We help them develop into confident young adults and achieve their full potential. We do this by matching them with trained volunteers who deliver 1:1 befriending and mentoring programmes, which over time have a transformational effect, this is complimented by our family support and group activity projects.