Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Trusts and Foundations Officer
at Prospectus
🏢 About Prospectus
Prospectus is recruiting for a UK-based charity that provides free, confidential support to people grieving after a death, offering meaningful work in a compassionate sector. This remote role allows you to contribute to vital bereavement services while enjoying flexible work arrangements with occasional travel.
About This Role
As Senior Trusts and Foundations Officer, you'll proactively secure and grow income from a large portfolio of charitable trusts and foundations, developing compelling proposals for grief support services. This role directly funds free confidential support for grieving individuals, making your fundraising efforts immediately impactful.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves researching new trust prospects, drafting tailored proposals for grief support funding, managing relationships with existing funders through updates and reports, and collaborating with service teams to develop compelling cases for support. You'll work remotely while maintaining a structured approach to portfolio management.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Prospectus Is Looking For
- Has 3+ years of proven success securing trusts and foundations income, specifically with four and five-figure grants
- Demonstrates experience managing 50+ funder relationships autonomously with minimal supervision
- Shows expertise in developing tailored proposals for bereavement or mental health services funding
- Possesses strong collaboration skills to work with internal teams on case development and funder reporting
📝 Tips for Applying to Prospectus
Quantify your trusts fundraising achievements with specific grant amounts (e.g., 'secured £15,000 from XYZ Foundation for mental health services')
Highlight experience with UK charitable trusts specifically, as this role focuses on UK-based funders
Emphasize your portfolio management skills by describing how you've maintained relationships with 20+ funders simultaneously
Mention any experience with bereavement, mental health, or similar sensitive service fundraising
Note your comfort with remote work and occasional travel in your application materials
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Specific examples of securing four and five-figure grants from trusts/foundations', 'Experience managing large funder portfolios with high autonomy', "Understanding of the charity's grief support mission and why it resonates with you", 'Ability to collaborate across teams to develop compelling funding cases']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → The specific grief support services the charity provides and their unique approach
- → Current UK trust funding landscape for bereavement and mental health charities
- → Prospectus's recruitment process and their role as a specialist charity recruiter
- → Recent news or developments in bereavement support in the UK
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without specific trusts/foundations fundraising experience (this role requires significant experience)
- Failing to quantify grant achievements (they specifically want four and five-figure examples)
- Showing discomfort with high autonomy or remote work in a portfolio management role
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!