Grants and Trusts Lead
Salary £ 31,000
Eaglescliffe (Stockton-on-Tees)
Vacancy listed 16/07/2026
Application deadline 07/08/2026
Details
Grants and Trusts Lead
Department:
Income and Engagement

Main base:
Progress House, Urlay Nook Road, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS16 0QB

Pay band / allowances:
Band 4, circa £31,000 per annum

Hours:
37.5 hours per week, to be worked flexibly in line with business needs

Period of tenure:
Permanent

Organisational relationships

Reports to:
Fundraising Manager

Direct reports:
Grants and Trusts Officer

Key relationships: 
Income and Engagement team members; Operations team; Senior Leadership Team; funders; key charity stakeholders; volunteers; suppliers.

Our what, why and how

We provide outstanding pre-hospital care to people of the North when they need it most, keeping families and communities together by saving lives.  
 
We care about: inclusion of all voices, each other, our supporters, our patients and their families. 
We have the courage to: try new things, take measured risks, speak up and innovate in our field. 
We are committed to: our purpose, the people we serve, the quality of our work, doing a good job. 
Together, we save lives. 
 
Job role summary
The Grants and Trusts Lead secures income from trusts, foundations and statutory funders by identifying funding opportunities, developing compelling applications and stewarding funder relationships. The role leads a structured grants pipeline, works across the charity to gather evidence, budgets and impact information, and ensures funder reporting requirements are met. The post also provides day-to-day leadership for the Grants and Trusts Officer, supporting performance, development and delivery against income plans.

What you’ll do

Core responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a Grants and Trusts strategy aligned to charity objectives and income priorities.

• Identify, research and develop new funding opportunities from trusts, foundations and statutory funders.

• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective funders aligned to organisational priorities.

• Write high-quality, persuasive and tailored funding applications, bids and proposals.

• Work with colleagues across the organisation to gather stories, service data, project information and budgets.

• Prepare engaging impact reports and funder updates, ensuring reporting requirements and deadlines are met

• Develop and nurture strong relationships with new and existing funders through excellent stewardship and communication.

• Maintain accurate grant records through the charity’s CRM and grant tracking processes.

• Ensure grants activity follows fundraising best practice, due diligence requirements and data protection standards.

• Collaborate with fundraising and marketing colleagues to support wider organisational objectives and campaigns.

Leadership, management and training responsibilities

• Manage, develop and motivate the Grants and Trusts Officer to deliver against agreed plans, objectives and targets.

• Set clear priorities, monitor progress and provide regular feedback, coaching and support.

• Support induction, development planning, mandatory training compliance and performance conversations for direct reports.

• Contribute specialist knowledge of grants and trusts fundraising to support learning across the Income and Engagement team.

Communication and relationship responsibilities

• Communicate persuasively in writing with funders, tailoring applications, reports and updates to their priorities and requirements.

• Build effective working relationships with internal colleagues to gather timely, accurate and compelling information for applications and reports.

• Influence and advise colleagues on funder requirements, eligibility, deadlines, evidence needs and stewardship commitments.

• Represent the charity professionally with external funders, stakeholders, volunteers and suppliers.

• Handle sensitive or unsuccessful funding discussions appropriately, maintaining positive funder relationships where possible.

Planning and organisational responsibilities

• Plan and manage a varied programme of funding applications, reports, stewardship activity and internal information-gathering deadlines.

• Maintain an organised, forward-looking pipeline with clear ownership, deadlines, funder requirements and next actions.

• Coordinate input from operational, finance, fundraising and marketing colleagues to support accurate and timely submissions.

• Balance short-term submission deadlines with medium-term pipeline development and strategic funding priorities.

Analytical and judgement responsibilities

• Research and assess funding opportunities, judging strategic fit, eligibility, income potential, restrictions and reporting requirements.

• Interpret project information, budgets, outcomes and impact evidence to shape persuasive and accurate applications.

• Use judgement to prioritise opportunities, recommend approaches and identify risks linked to funder requirements, deliverability and compliance.

• Review funding performance and pipeline information to inform planning, forecasting and continuous improvement.

Financial and physical resource responsibilities

• Work with colleagues to prepare, check and present accurate project budgets and financial information within applications and reports.

• Monitor restricted funding requirements and reporting commitments in line with funder expectations and internal processes.

• Use organisational equipment and resources appropriately, including laptops, office equipment and materials used for meetings or funder engagement.

• Support effective use of income generation resources by identifying high-quality funding opportunities and managing effort against likely return.

Information resources

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date grant records, funder information, pipeline data, deadlines and stewardship notes on the charity’s CRM and tracking systems.

• Produce clear reports and updates for funders and internal stakeholders as required.

• Handle information in line with data protection, confidentiality, fundraising compliance and organisational record-keeping requirements.

• Contribute to improvements in grant tracking, reporting processes, templates and ways of working.

 Policy and service development responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of grants and trusts fundraising systems, processes and reporting frameworks.

• Support compliance with fundraising best practice, due diligence requirements, data protection standards and relevant organisational policies.

• Identify opportunities to improve the quality, consistency and effectiveness of applications, stewardship and funder reporting.

• Undertake additional duties and projects appropriate to the role as required by the Fundraising Manager.

General

We work where we're needed most, so this role includes regular travel between bases, partner organisations, and other stakeholder venues. Flexibility is important, as occasional overnight stays and some work outside normal business hours may be required to support the people and communities we work with. 

This job description provides an overview of the role. As part of a flexible and growing organisation, you may be asked to take on other responsibilities appropriate to the position as our needs evolve. 

All employees are expected to complete and maintain mandatory training relevant to their role, ensuring compliance with organisational policies, legal requirements, and professional standards. 

Safeguarding and DBS

We believe creating safe, supportive environments is everyone's responsibility. You'll be expected to recognise and act on any concerns relating to the safety, wellbeing, or welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, following our safeguarding procedures and reporting concerns appropriately. You'll keep your safeguarding knowledge up to date through required training, embed safeguarding into your day-to-day practice, and comply with all relevant checks and requirements, including DBS checks where applicable. 
 
Person Specification
Qualifications and training 
Essential

  • Bachelor’s degree, or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience gained through relevant training and experience. 
  • Full driving licence and ability to travel for role-related meetings and visits.
 Desirable
  • Relevant fundraising, charity, bid writing, project management or leadership qualification/training.

Skills and knowledge
Essential

  • Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce persuasive, tailored and high-quality funding proposals.    
  • Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage funders and internal teams.
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret project information, data, budgets and outcomes.   
  • Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage a varied workload and meet multiple deadlines.  
  • Good understanding of fundraising principles, compliance requirements and due diligence processes.  
  • Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and experience using CRM or grant tracking systems.    
  • Understanding of data protection requirements and  confidentiality in a fundraising context.
 Desirable 
  • Understanding of the UK charity fundraising landscape and grant-making environment. 
  • Knowledge of impact measurement and evaluation frameworks.

Experience      
Essential
  • Experience in trusts, foundations, statutory fundraising or a comparable income generation role.      
  • Demonstrable success in researching, developing and securing funding from trusts and/or other grant-making bodies.  Experience of writing high-quality funding applications, bids or proposals.     
  • Experience of managing and maintaining a structured pipeline of funding opportunities.     
  • Experience producing clear reports or updates for external stakeholders or funders.  
  • Experience working cross-functionally to gather information, budgets, data and impact evidence.      
  • Experience of managing staff, volunteers or project teams, including setting objectives and supporting performance.   
Desirable 
  • Experience working within the charity or not-for-profit sector. 
  • Experience of statutory funding applications, including local authority, government or NHS funding streams.  
  • Experience leading or contributing to strategic fundraising planning.       
  • Experience of donor or funder stewardship and relationship management.       
  • Experience improving fundraising systems, processes or reporting frameworks.

Other
Essential    
  • Proactive, self-motivated and target-driven, with a strong focus on results and income generation.    
  • Collaborative team player with the ability to build effective relationships across departments.      
  • High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and quality .    
  • Ability to motivate, support and develop others.      
  • Creative and solutions-focused approach to developing funding opportunities and improving processes.       
  • Commitment to the values and mission of GNAAS.       
  • Ability to work flexibly, including occasional work outside normal business hours and travel to meetings, bases and stakeholder venues.    
Desirable
  • Knowledge of the communities served by GNAAS and/or experience engaging with regional funders.
Benefits

Part of your journey with us, some benefits are unlocked after you’ve completed your probation period, giving you increasing access to the full benefits package as you grow with us.
Lifestyle Benefits
Pension Scheme
We offer a company pension scheme operated by Legal & General to help you plan for your future. If you are eligible for automatic enrolment, contributions will begin from your start date. You will contribute 5% of your total basic earnings, and GNAAS will add an additional 3% of your base salary, helping you build your pension from day one.

Life Assurance
From your first day of employment, you are covered by the Company’s Life Insurance Policy. This provides peace of mind that, should the worst happen, a lump-sum payment of three times your annual base salary would be paid to your nominated beneficiary.

Private Medical
Once you have successfully completed your probation period, you will be eligible to join the Company’s Private Medical Insurance scheme. The Company covers the full annual cost of the standard membership. You also have the option to upgrade your level of cover at an additional personal cost which will be deducted through payroll. Please note that, in line with HMRC guidance, this benefit is treated as a taxable benefit in kind (BIK), meaning any tax due is paid by you.

Health Cash Plan

Once you have successfully completed your probation period, you will be eligible to join the Company’s Health Cash Plan, provided by Simply Health. This allows you to claim back the costs for a range of medical treatments. The Company covers cost of Level 1 standard membership. You also have the option to upgrade your level of cover at an additional personal cost which will be deducted through payroll. Please note that, in line with HMRC guidance, this benefit is treated as a taxable benefit in kind (BIK), meaning any tax due is paid by you.

Wellness Benefits
EAP
You have access to the Employee Assistance Programme from day one. This is a free, confidential 24/7 support service where you can talk to someone about work-related concerns, personal or family matters, financial worries, legal questions, and more, whenever you need it.

Onsite Gym
Onsite gym is available at both sites,

Civil Service Sports Council
CSSC is a not-for-profit membership that supports wellbeing and an active lifestyle. Members enjoy access to great-value gym memberships, discounts, wellbeing tools, and over 1,000 experiences, including family days out, cinema trips, and new activities, helping you do more, for less.

Cycle to work
Once you have successfully completed your probation period, you can save between 26–40% on a bike and accessories through CycleScheme.co.uk. This benefit is offered via a tax-efficient salary sacrifice arrangement, with payments taken directly from your salary by GNAAS, helping you spread the cost while saving money.

Eye Tests
We’ve partnered with Specsavers to support your eye health at work. Employees are eligible for a free eye test (via a voucher).

Annual Leave & Time off
Annual Leave
Our annual leave year runs from January to December. On joining the team, you are entitled to the equivalent of 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays. Leave is calculated on a pro-rata basis for part-time colleagues or those working shifts, ensuring everyone receives a fair entitlement.

After completing one year of service, your annual leave entitlement will increase by one additional day for each completed year of service, up to a maximum of five extra days FTE. This additional leave is calculated on a pro-rata basis for part-time colleagues and those working shifts.

Occupational Sick Pay
Once you have successfully completed your probation period, you’ll be eligible for enhanced occupational sick pay, with entitlement increasing in line with your length of service.

Family Leave
Subject to qualifying criteria, you may be eligible for enhanced pay during family leave (maternity, paternity and adoption). Full details, including qualifying criteria, can be found in our Family Leave Policy.

Additional Benefits
Hangar 63 Coffee House We are delighted to offer all our employees 15% off food and drink during your working hours and 10% off gifts and retail products in our Coffee House.
Charity Merchandise
Enjoy an exclusive 20% staff discount on all GNAAS merchandise, just one of the perks of being part of the team.
Blue Light Card Once you have successfully completed your probation period, you will be eligible to apply for a Blue Light Card, one of the UK’s largest discount services. The cost of the card is payable by the employee, giving you access to a wide range of savings across retail, leisure, and everyday essentials.

PlaneSaver
Once you have successfully completed your probation period, you will be eligible to join the PlaneSaver scheme who specialise in financial products and discounts.

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