Overview

At the heart of 2027 is a paid 12-month job at a leading foundation, trusts or social investment organisation.  A foundation or trusts is a grant-making organisation, a charity that provides funding to give to other individuals or organisations, to enable them to run projects that positively impact the community. A Social Investment Organisation provides repayable funds to charities and enterprises with a social purpose to create long-lasting change.

As part of the programme, you’ll be employed full time in a grant-making or related role, with one of our dynamic host Foundations, Trusts or Social Investment organisations across the UK.  You’ll deliver brilliant work to improve the communities they serve whilst receiving a Living Wage salary over the year.

Alongside your placement, you will take part in an acclaimed development programme, through which you will work with each other and partner organisations, on your own development and leadership in the context of the grant-making sector. The programme focuses on the self, the sector and community. It is designed to help you not only to translate all your experience and ability into performing in your new job, but also to help you understand, explore and ultimately be part of changing the funding sector. 

This blend of training, networking and on-the-job experience will mean that at the end of the 12-month programme you will have the experience and skills you need to prepare for a decision-making position in a foundation or trust to influence real change in communities.

The job

In your new job in grant-making, you could be managing part of your organisation’s grant portfolio and working to find fantastic community partners for your host organisation to work with and provide funding for their projects. You’ll be keeping the trustee board updated on the foundation’s portfolio, and could even be making funding recommendations.  You could be working with your foundation’s funder, to inspire their employees about the foundation’s work to fund community projects and partners. You will also be responsible for ensuring the foundation meets all relevant legislative and compliance requirements and will represent the foundation externally and apply learning from outside to your work at the foundation.  Each job is slightly different and we’ll work with you to ensure a good fit for your development. You’ll benefit from:

• A salary of at least the Living Wage

• Direct experience in grant-making with a leading foundation or trust

The employer

You will be matched to a leading, and highly regarded foundation or trust depending on your location preferences. This is a grant-making organisation, a charity that is provided funding to give to other individuals or organisations, to enable them to run projects that positively impact the community.  In the last 4 years, more than 20 Foundations or Trusts have taken part in 2027 and some examples include Children in Need, National Lottery Community Fund, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Sport England, City Bridge Trust and NHS Charities Together.

The development programme

As part of your job, you’ll undergo an extensive professional development programme led by industry experts.  The programme will comprise a mix of group and self-directed learning, coaching, mentoring and peer support spaces.  It will be facilitated by leaders across the sector and run by a specialist organisation that exists to develop people working in social change.  Specifically, you’ll gain access to:

• A programme coach to connect with you, supporting you on your journey through your new job and development programme.

• A mentor with expert experience in the grant-making sector to give you support and guidance thinking about opportunities over the course of the year.

• A peer coach, so you can develop your own coaching skills and gain support to tackle challenges and explore opportunities with someone else taking part in the programme.

• Facilitated group sessions, to give you training and insight to help you grow your knowledge of the grant-making sector and develop new skills for your career growth.

• Networking, and opportunities to build relationships with like-minded people and key leaders in the sector, to build your profile, knowledge and skills.

Career progression

At the end of the 12-month programme, you will have the experience, skills and knowledge to prepare for a decision-making position in a foundation or trust and to influence real change in communities.  You can find out more about what our 2027 Associates have gone on to do here.

Job description

Below is a more detailed job description outlining some of the specifics of the position:

• Job Title: Grants Officer or equivalent

• Salary: at least the Living Wage (minimum £25,000)

• Employer: One of our 2027 host organisations, a leading Foundation or Trust

• Location: We have opportunities throughout England and Scotland and you’ll tell us your preferences

• Hours: Typically 9am-5pm with some flexibility according to the requirements of your employing host organisation.

• Term of contract: Fixed-term, 12-months