Job title: Senior Trusts and Foundations Manager

Reports to: Head of Trusts and Foundations

Responsible for: Fundraising from trusts and foundations, no line management responsibility

Working pattern: Hybrid with minimum two days per week in the office (King’s Cross, London), with occasional travel to other parts of the UK

1.      About the role

As Senior Trusts and Foundations Manager, you will play a key role in the development and delivery of a successful trusts and foundations strategy, securing grants towards a broad range of programmes and activity to support and strengthen the UK museum sector. Working closely with the Head of Trusts and Foundations and Head of Programme Development, you will develop high quality, compelling funding proposals in support of Art Fund’s strategic priorities. You will devise cultivation plans to engage new supporters and provide a high level of stewardship to secure and manage a portfolio of five, six and seven-figure grants. Joining an experienced and high performing Development team, you will oversee a varied workplan and a diverse portfolio of grant-making foundations, contributing towards a Major Giving team target of £5 million annually.

This is a unique opportunity to join Art Fund at the beginning of our new five-year strategy (2027-2031). We are working to enrich and share public collections in new ways, increase access to museums for audiences across the UK, and amplify the sector through a broad range of programmes, advocacy training and support. Partnerships with trusts and foundations will be vital to the success of our new strategy, and as the Senior Trusts and Foundations Manager you will work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to bring these to life.

2.     How we work

Collaborative & Inclusive

·       We work together to achieve success and make the most of opportunities           

·       We value contribution – ensuring everyone's voice is heard and everyone's experience matters

·       We keep up to date with internal and external activities – reaching out proactively and responding positively to requests for support

·       We care about each other, respecting and appreciating differences, so that everyone feels included

Curious & Innovative

·       We try new things     

·       We ask questions      

·       We encourage openness and ideas

·       We embrace change                                                

Expert & Impactful

·       We do our best work, are clear on priorities and understand sometimes priorities change

·       We make decisions based on insights and measurable results                                

·       We communicate on a diverse range of subjects in ways that are accessible to everyone

·       We share our knowledge and expertise, and draw on that of others, to get things done

Trusted & Trusting

·       We are open and honest with each other, giving and receiving constructive feedback

·       We trust others to involve us at the right time                

·       We are trusted, and trust others, to do their best work and deliver on time

·       We celebrate success, learn from mistakes and have a no blame culture

3.     Key accountabilities

Fundraising and prospect development

·       Cultivate and solicit grants from a pipeline of UK based and international foundations with the potential to give six and seven-figure gifts.

·       Lead the development of compelling funding proposals aligned with funders’ interests, working collaboratively with colleagues across Art Fund to create proposals and accompanying application materials of the highest quality.

·       Work closely with the Head of Trusts and Foundations on the development of the trusts and foundations strategy, researching and responding to sector trends, and identifying alignment with Art Fund’s strategic priorities.

·       Lead the cultivation of new foundation prospects, identifying opportunities through prospect research, leading meetings and calls, and briefing and involving senior colleagues where appropriate to support the solicitation process.

·       Manage an annual fundraising appeal to a group of small to mid-level trust supporters, tailored around Art Fund’s priorities.

Stewardship and relationship management

·       Manage reporting requirements for trust and foundation supporters, anticipating deadlines in a timely manner, seeking updates from colleagues and drafting engaging reports as required.

·       Engage and influence key funder contacts in person and in writing, ensuring that they are kept up to date through tailored updates and stewardship opportunities, as well as other key Art Fund publications (e.g., Art Quarterly, Annual Report).

• Ensure key funder contacts are invited to project visits and Art Fund events, and have meetings with the Director and key team members as appropriate.

·       Prepare written briefings for senior leadership visits with funders and prospective funders, as well as follow up documentation and correspondence.

·       Utilise Art Fund’s CRM database (Salesforce from early 2027) to ensure accurate and effective stewardship of grant funders.

·       Ensure appropriate thanking and acknowledgement of trust and foundation grants, liaising with colleagues where necessary.

Prospect research and planning

·       Research and qualify new trust and foundation prospects, working closely with Art Fund’s Prospect Development Manager to identify funders aligned with Art Fund’s priorities.

·       Work with the Prospect Development Manager on due diligence for prospective funders, ensuring that gifts align with Art Fund’s gift acceptance policy, with any ethical considerations or risks identified and mitigated where appropriate.  

·       Monitor new funding streams from foundations and public funders, identifying relevant opportunities and deadlines.

·       Contribute to monthly prospect meetings and work with Development colleagues on prospecting around Art Fund events.

·       Contribute to annual budgeting and quarterly financial forecasting against departmental targets.          

Other

·       Support and attend Art Fund events, in particular Development-led events.

·       Travel within London and occasionally the wider UK for meetings and funder visits, and attend occasional events outside of normal working hours as required.

·       Work within Art Fund policies and procedures including, but not limited to, health and safety, data protection, sustainability, procurement, AI, technology and equality, diversity and inclusion.

·       Actively participate in the wider life of Art Fund.

·       Undertake other duties as requested by Art Fund from time to time.

4.     About me

I have/I might also have

Experience

·     Substantial experience of securing grants from trusts and foundations at the five and six-figure level.

·     Experience of building effective long-term relationships with trust and foundations.

·     Experience of working within a high performing Development team.

·     Experience of translating monitoring and evaluation data in compelling funder-focused communications.

Skills

·     Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, concise and compelling funding proposals and reports.

·     Excellent relationship management skills, with the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

·     Ability to think creatively and develop innovative proposals to meet the needs of both museums and grant-makers.

·     Excellent understanding of common Office software including Word and Excel.

Knowledge

·     Knowledge of the trusts and foundations landscape and potential funders of the museum sector.

·     Excellent understanding of trust fundraising best practice.

·     Understanding of requirements for accurate systems to manage prospects, steward donors and monitor deadlines.

·     Understanding of the needs and challenges facing the museum and gallery sector.

·     Knowledge and experience of fundraising CRM systems.

Personal Attributes

·     Excellent accuracy and attention to detail in written and numerical work. 

·     Curiosity and creativity to identify challenges and develop solutions.

·     Ability to connect with a broad range of stakeholders in a professional manner.

·     Interest in museums and galleries.