Trusts and Grants Officer

You will be responsible for the development and management of our Trusts and Grants pipeline, overseeing our full portfolio of funding applications. With a total target of £500,000 per year, you will manage the existing grant partners as well as proactively identify and pursue new funding opportunities. This will involve researching and then preparing, writing, and submitting a range of application types, including expressions of interest, formal letters, online forms, and detailed long‑form proposals to a variety of Grant Makers, Trusts, businesses and public sector organisations.

Through training, development, and experience, you will build your knowledge and understanding of Mustard Tree's work, our data, our community, and the impact we have. You will be able to use this information, staff input, previous applications, and your own style to write tailored, compelling, emotive, evidence‑backed applications. You will work with the Fundraising Manager to establish a strong pipeline of forecast and committed income, through securing multi‑year grants and ensuring timely, high‑quality reporting, stewarding our existing funders.

• Research, write, and submit four bids per week, including reports. (Reasonable exceptions are made based on the value, length and complexity of applications).
• Qualify prospects, understand application requirements and build strong relationships with organisations to maximise the chances of success.
• Work closely with the Public Sector Team to stay updated on all contracts and council partnership work, being the main point of contact for all public sector work, grants and contracts, unless otherwise stated.
• Work closely with a variety of teams and stakeholders to develop successful bids, for example, working with the Accounts Team for budgets and spending, the Support & Services team for case studies and implementation strategy.
• Maintain capacity for reactive applications, based on changing needs, e.g. a suitable fund with a short deadline, or funding for a specific, immediate need, e.g. a new van.
• Provide weekly updates on targets, workload and strategy, report on your pipeline and expected income, and work to provide accurate forecasting.
• Build resilience in the role, accepting that, unfortunately, rejections are a key part of bid writing.

• Create and be accountable for an accurate and comprehensive calendar of reporting deadlines, updates and reapplication dates.
• Use this calendar to plan in and write quality reports and submit them in good time.
• Update our Pipeline Spreadsheets and our CRM with all relevant data, and update the ‘timeline’ following communication.
• Submit thank you letters and invitations to our events, e.g. our Dinners, where appropriate.
• Host key contacts for meetings, brews and tours, or Teams meetings where appropriate, and attend taster/information sessions for qualification purposes.

• Supporting the Fundraising Team where required, including administration, cover, and events attendance.
• Host one ‘Corporate Volunteering Day’ a week, including a morning tour and afternoon debrief.
• Support the Fundraising & Finance Teams with data entry, CRM updates and the creation of KPI data when required, work within health & safety guidelines and Mustard Tree policies and procedures.
• Support other staff and departments, occasionally providing practical relief cover for work‑streams, operational areas, classes and clubs.
• Take responsibility for professional development and attend training courses as required.
• Lead by example, embodying Mustard Tree values and representing the charity as required.
• Contribute towards being an environmentally responsible organisation as part of day‑to‑day activities, including recycling and supporting our ‘paper‑light’ practices.
• Other tasks and duties relevant to the role as required by the organisation.

• Experience with long‑form essay writing, applications and/or bid writing.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage with a range of stakeholders such as corporate partners, volunteers and donors.
• Organisa…