Fundraising & Engagement Manager

Fundraising & Engagement Manager 

Salary: £40,000 per annum 

Hours: 37 hours per week (flexible working available and could offer 0.8) 

Contract type: Permanent

Benefits:  

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)  

• NEST Pension 

• Benefits & Discount Portal 

• 22 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays 

• Professional Training & Development  

Help secure the future of a 120-year-old youth charity at The Shewsy, we support over 100 children and young people every day in one of the most deprived communities in the UK. Founded in 1903, we provide meals, mentoring, and a safe space, but more importantly, we build relationships that change lives. Our motto is “People Matter More Than Things”. 

We are now looking for a brilliant Fundraising & Engagement Manager to help us take the next step in building a stronger, more sustainable funding base so we can reach even more young people. 

The Role (and why it matters)  

The Fundraising & Engagement Manager is responsible for building a sustainable, diverse income base that secures the future of The Shewsy’s youth and community work.

They lead on cultivating strong relationships with local partners, supporters, and the Shrewsbury School community, while championing our mission within Everton and beyond.

Through a blend of skilled grant writing, compelling storytelling, and energetic face-to-face engagement, they will grow our funding pipeline, inspire supporters, and turn opportunities into meaningful investment in young people’s lives.

What you’ll be doing – Key Responsibilities

Building Relationships & Community Engagement 

• Actively network and build face-to-face relationships with local businesses, community members, and potential corporate partners. 

• Nurture and expand our vital relationship with the Shrewsbury School community and Old Salopians to encourage legacy giving, regular donations, and matched-giving support. 

• Champion and support community fundraising events and campaigns, including our highly successful Big Give Christmas Challenge. 

Securing Grant Funding 

• Build and manage a £200,000+ annual funding pipeline by researching and applying for grants from trusts and foundations. 

• Write high-quality, compelling, and tailored funding applications. 

• Maintain a live pipeline of funders, tracking applications, success rates, and deadlines. 

Telling Our Story Powerfully 

• Turn powerful frontline youth work into compelling narratives for both written bids and in-person presentations. 

• Work with staff to capture impact, stories, and data to strengthen how we evidence our outcomes. 

What success looks like (Year 1) 

• Strong, active relationships established with the Shrewsbury School community, Old Salopians, and local Everton stakeholders. 

• A £200k+ funding pipeline established and actively managed. 

• Consistent monthly/quarterly bid submissions balancing quick wins with strategic applications. 

• Increased repeat funding, multi-year grants, and diversified community income. 

What Skills, Knowledge and Experience You Will Have

Essential 

• Exceptional in-person communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences from local residents to major donors. 

• Experience writing successful grant applications in the charity sector. 

• A track record of securing funding from trusts, foundations, or major donors. 

• Highly organised, able to balance desk-based bid writing with out-and-about relationship building. 

• Ability to work independently and make things happen. 

Desirable 

• Experience in youth, community, or social impact organisations. 

• Knowledge of the Liverpool funding landscape. 

• Experience with community campaigns or matched-funding appeals (e.g., the Big Give). 

The kind of person who thrives here 

• You care deeply about young people and social impact. 

• You are proactive, outgoing, and don’t wait to be told what to do. 

• You spot opportunities others miss and can turn a conversation into a compelling bid or a new partnership. 

• You want your work to actually make a difference.