Fundraising Officer
Newcastle City Council
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom£32,597 - £35,412 per annum (Pay Award Pending)Closes: 19 Jul
Fundraising Officer – North East Community Forest
About the North East Community Forest
The North East Community Forest (NECF) is an ambitious, long term partnership dedicated to transforming landscapes, increasing tree cover, and delivering environmental, social and economic benefits for communities across the region. Newcastle City Council is the accountable body for the programme and employs the Forest Team to coordinate and deliver the initiative on behalf of the NECF Partnership.
The NECF area covers the southern parts of Northumberland, the full geographical boundaries of Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland, as well as the more urban areas of County Durham.
As we accelerate delivery of the NECF Forest Plan 2025–2050 and the Delivery Plan 2025–2030, we are seeking a talented, proactive and motivated Fundraising Officer to help us grow and diversify our income streams.
The Role
As Fundraising Officer, you will play a central role in supporting and delivering NECF’s fundraising activities. You will help develop and implement effective income generation strategies, secure funding from a range of sources, and ensure the smooth administration of fundraising processes.
Reporting to the Forest Manager and Senior Woodland Officer – Forest Plan, you will work closely with partners, funders, internal teams and community organisations to maximise NECF’s impact and long term sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
Develop, implement and monitor a fundraising strategy aligned with the North East Community Forest Plan 2025–2050 and NECF Delivery Plan 2025 - 2030.
Identify and secure income from grants, trusts, foundations, corporate partners and individual donors.
Lead the preparation of compelling grant applications, proposals, reports and impact statements.
Build and maintain effective relationships with funders, sponsors, philanthropic partners and key stakeholders.
Coordinate fundraising campaigns and community-based engagement activities.
Work with communications colleagues to promote fundraising activities and share success stories.
Track performance, monitor KPIs and report progress to the NECF Partnership and stakeholders.
Ensure compliance with relevant fundraising regulations, including the Code of Fundraising Practice and GDPR.
Explore opportunities for establishing a charitable vehicle to support long term fundraising ambitions.
Manage fundraising budgets in line with Newcastle City Council’s financial policies.
Promote equality, diversity and inclusion, and contribute to a healthy and safe working environment.
About You
We are looking for an enthusiastic, driven and collaborative individual who is passionate about environmental improvement and community benefit across North East England.
You will thrive in this role if you:
Have strong written and verbal communication skills and can produce persuasive, well structured funding proposals.
Enjoy building relationships and can confidently engage funders, partners, stakeholders and community groups.
Are proactive and creative in identifying opportunities for new funding streams and partnerships.
Are organised, able to manage multiple priorities and maintain accurate records and reporting.
Understand fundraising practices, regulations and ethical standards.
Are able to work both independently and as part of a multi-partner team.
Share our commitment to environmental restoration, community engagement and delivering meaningful local impact.
We welcome candidates from fundraising, environment, community development or transferable professional backgrounds who are motivated to develop in this role.
This is a fixed term contract role for two years. A possible extension is available, subject to funding.
What We Offer
As an employee of Newcastle City Council, you will have access to:
• A competitive salary
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave allowance, receiving 25 days leave, increasing to 29 days after five years, and eight public holidays. You can even build up to two additional days each month as part of our flexible working hours and take additional leave
• Family Supportive Policies
• A bespoke induction
• Flexible working options
• Agile working (home and officebased)
• A generous Flexi Scheme
• Access to Occupational Health, mindfulness sessions and wellbeing initiatives
• Salary sacrifice schemes including car scheme, home electronics and tax efficient pension contributions
• Discounted travel passes
Informal discussion
If you would like to have an informal discussion about the post, please email or call our Forest Manager, Lloyd Jones.
Mobile: 07974 588 063
Email: lloyd.jones@necf.org.uk
How to apply
Apply online at www.northeastjobs.org.uk, select 'Apply Now' and complete our online application form. Before completing the form please ensure you read the supporting documents. Any communication sent to you regarding your application will be sent to the email address you have set up on your Northeast Jobs account, so you will need to ensure that you check your inbox.
About the North East Community Forest
The North East Community Forest (NECF) is an ambitious, long term partnership dedicated to transforming landscapes, increasing tree cover, and delivering environmental, social and economic benefits for communities across the region. Newcastle City Council is the accountable body for the programme and employs the Forest Team to coordinate and deliver the initiative on behalf of the NECF Partnership.
The NECF area covers the southern parts of Northumberland, the full geographical boundaries of Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland, as well as the more urban areas of County Durham.
As we accelerate delivery of the NECF Forest Plan 2025–2050 and the Delivery Plan 2025–2030, we are seeking a talented, proactive and motivated Fundraising Officer to help us grow and diversify our income streams.
The Role
As Fundraising Officer, you will play a central role in supporting and delivering NECF’s fundraising activities. You will help develop and implement effective income generation strategies, secure funding from a range of sources, and ensure the smooth administration of fundraising processes.
Reporting to the Forest Manager and Senior Woodland Officer – Forest Plan, you will work closely with partners, funders, internal teams and community organisations to maximise NECF’s impact and long term sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
Develop, implement and monitor a fundraising strategy aligned with the North East Community Forest Plan 2025–2050 and NECF Delivery Plan 2025 - 2030.
Identify and secure income from grants, trusts, foundations, corporate partners and individual donors.
Lead the preparation of compelling grant applications, proposals, reports and impact statements.
Build and maintain effective relationships with funders, sponsors, philanthropic partners and key stakeholders.
Coordinate fundraising campaigns and community-based engagement activities.
Work with communications colleagues to promote fundraising activities and share success stories.
Track performance, monitor KPIs and report progress to the NECF Partnership and stakeholders.
Ensure compliance with relevant fundraising regulations, including the Code of Fundraising Practice and GDPR.
Explore opportunities for establishing a charitable vehicle to support long term fundraising ambitions.
Manage fundraising budgets in line with Newcastle City Council’s financial policies.
Promote equality, diversity and inclusion, and contribute to a healthy and safe working environment.
About You
We are looking for an enthusiastic, driven and collaborative individual who is passionate about environmental improvement and community benefit across North East England.
You will thrive in this role if you:
Have strong written and verbal communication skills and can produce persuasive, well structured funding proposals.
Enjoy building relationships and can confidently engage funders, partners, stakeholders and community groups.
Are proactive and creative in identifying opportunities for new funding streams and partnerships.
Are organised, able to manage multiple priorities and maintain accurate records and reporting.
Understand fundraising practices, regulations and ethical standards.
Are able to work both independently and as part of a multi-partner team.
Share our commitment to environmental restoration, community engagement and delivering meaningful local impact.
We welcome candidates from fundraising, environment, community development or transferable professional backgrounds who are motivated to develop in this role.
This is a fixed term contract role for two years. A possible extension is available, subject to funding.
What We Offer
As an employee of Newcastle City Council, you will have access to:
• A competitive salary
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave allowance, receiving 25 days leave, increasing to 29 days after five years, and eight public holidays. You can even build up to two additional days each month as part of our flexible working hours and take additional leave
• Family Supportive Policies
• A bespoke induction
• Flexible working options
• Agile working (home and officebased)
• A generous Flexi Scheme
• Access to Occupational Health, mindfulness sessions and wellbeing initiatives
• Salary sacrifice schemes including car scheme, home electronics and tax efficient pension contributions
• Discounted travel passes
Informal discussion
If you would like to have an informal discussion about the post, please email or call our Forest Manager, Lloyd Jones.
Mobile: 07974 588 063
Email: lloyd.jones@necf.org.uk
How to apply
Apply online at www.northeastjobs.org.uk, select 'Apply Now' and complete our online application form. Before completing the form please ensure you read the supporting documents. Any communication sent to you regarding your application will be sent to the email address you have set up on your Northeast Jobs account, so you will need to ensure that you check your inbox.