Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Trusts and Foundations Officer

at Prospectus

🏢 About Prospectus

Prospectus is a specialist recruitment consultancy focused exclusively on the nonprofit sector, investing in candidates' journeys and championing diversity and inclusion. They partner with impactful organizations like this UK-based charity providing free grief support, offering a chance to work with a mission-driven employer while benefiting from Prospectus's supportive application process and remote-first culture.

About This Role

This Senior Trusts and Foundations Officer role involves proactively managing a large portfolio of charitable trusts and foundations to secure four- and five-figure grants for a grief support charity. You'll develop compelling proposals, conduct prospect research, and ensure high-quality reporting, directly funding free, confidential services for people experiencing bereavement.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve researching new trust prospects aligned with grief support funding, drafting a five-figure grant proposal in collaboration with program teams, and updating your portfolio tracker. You could also have virtual meetings with existing funders to discuss reporting or explore new opportunities, all while working remotely with occasional travel for in-person engagements.

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🎯 Who Prospectus Is Looking For

  • Has a proven track record of securing four- and five-figure grants from UK charitable trusts and foundations, with specific examples of successful applications.
  • Demonstrates experience autonomously managing a large, diverse portfolio of funders, including relationship stewardship and reporting.
  • Possesses strong collaborative skills to work with internal teams (e.g., program staff) to develop cases for support aligned with the charity's grief services.
  • Shows expertise in prospect research and identifying new trust/foundation opportunities relevant to bereavement support or mental health funding.

📝 Tips for Applying to Prospectus

1

Quantify your trusts fundraising achievements: specify the number of trusts managed, grant success rates, and total income secured (e.g., 'secured £200K from 15 trusts in 2023').

2

Tailor your CV to highlight experience with UK trusts/foundations, as this role specifically serves a UK charity—mention any knowledge of UK funding landscapes.

3

Research the charity's grief support services (e.g., via their website) and suggest how you'd align trust proposals with their specific programs (e.g., counseling, helplines).

4

Emphasize remote work autonomy and occasional travel readiness, as this is a remote role with travel requirements for funder meetings or team events.

5

If you require reasonable adjustments, proactively contact Ariha Semontee at Prospectus, as noted in the job details—this shows engagement with their inclusive process.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Highlight specific examples of securing four- or five-figure grants from trusts/foundations, detailing your role in proposal development and relationship management.', "Explain how your experience managing a large portfolio aligns with this charity's needs, emphasizing autonomy and organizational collaboration.", "Demonstrate knowledge of the charity's grief support mission and suggest how you'd tailor trust applications to fund their services (e.g., referencing their programs).", "Express enthusiasm for remote work and occasional travel, and mention Prospectus's candidate-focused approach to show you've researched their recruitment style."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore the charity's website to understand their grief support services, such as helplines, counseling, or community programs, to tailor your application.
  • → Review Prospectus's website and social media to grasp their recruitment philosophy and emphasis on candidate support and diversity.
  • → Investigate UK trust/foundation funders in the mental health or bereavement space (e.g., via directories like Trustfunding.org.uk) to show proactive thinking.
  • → Look into the charity's annual reports or news sections to identify current funding priorities or past trust-supported projects.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your process for managing a large portfolio of trust funders, including how you prioritize prospects and maintain relationships remotely.
2 Walk us through a successful trust application you developed, from research to submission, highlighting how you collaborated with internal teams.
3 How would you identify new trust/foundation prospects for a bereavement support charity, and what criteria would you use?
4 Discuss your experience with funder reporting and stewardship, especially for multi-year grants or restricted funding.
5 How do you stay organized and proactive in a remote, part-time role with occasional travel requirements?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting generic applications without mentioning specific trust fundraising achievements (e.g., failing to quantify grant sizes or portfolio scope).
  • Overlooking the UK focus—not tailoring experience to UK trusts/foundations or the charity's bereavement services.
  • Neglecting to address remote work autonomy or travel flexibility, which are key for this part-time, remote role with occasional travel.

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Prospectus !

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