Grant & Review Advisor - Volunteer

Grant & Application Review Advisor - Volunteer

Join to apply for the Grant & Application Review Advisor - Volunteer role at First Gens

The Grant & Application Review Advisor will be responsible for reviewing written funding applications prior to submission on a monthly basis.

Education has the power to transform people’s lives. You’ll join an innovative start‑up organisation, making real, measurable change for first‑generation university students across the UK. You’ll be supporting young people to complete their education with confidence and turn their dreams into realities. Your role will be pivotal in securing the social funding that enables us to deliver on our first 3 year strategy.

Please send your CV, a cover letter highlighting your relevant senior grant application experience, and one recent example of an application you have reviewed or led (or a summary thereof) via Reach. In your cover letter, please outline your experience with monthly application review cycles (or equivalent) and any philanthropic/private donor experience.

• Interview formats include in-person for Bristol based applicants, video conferencing, phone interviews to accommodate any needs.

• Flexible, remote working
• This role will start immediately; initial period will involve review cycle for upcoming submissions, followed by ongoing monthly reviews.

• Proven senior experience (minimum 5 years) in reviewing or leading grant applications for non‑profit organisations (preferably UK funders).
• Expertise in grant writing and submission processes, including trusts and foundations.
• Strong demonstrable track record of successful funding applications or as a reviewer of such.
• Strong organisational skills able to manage multiple deadlines, work to a calendar of monthly reviews and ensure timely feedback loops.

• Experience in private donor and philanthropic giving (high‑net‑worth individuals, family offices) as well as institutional funders.
• Experience working with social‑mobility, higher‑education access, student support or widening participation organisations.
• Experience building standardised application toolkits, content libraries and “bid review” processes for an organisation.
• Experience in working with budget alignment, monitoring & evaluation logic and impact measurement frameworks within funding applications.

• On a monthly basis, review draft funding applications (typically trusts, foundations).
• Using Google Docs comment section to provide detailed feedback on content, structure, logic, alignment with funder criteria tone and clarity.
• Ensure each application reflects First Gens’ mission, strategic model and impact evidence (e.g., our programmes and research on first‑generation student success).
• Is tailored to the funder’s priorities and questions.
• Presents a compelling and coherent narrative, with clear outcomes, activities, budget alignment and measurement of impact.
• Is free of errors, consistent in style and voice and meets all submission guidelines (including deadlines, formats and attachments).
• Work collaboratively with the CEO and finance coordinator, to ensure alignment between narrative, budget and monitoring plans.
• Act as a senior quality assurance resource challenging assumptions, raising questions, suggesting strengthening of logic or evidence and proposing ways to sharpen the “ask” and the case for support.
• Advise on any gaps in our fundraising process to help us strengthen operations. For example, suggesting the creation of application templates, standard content libraries (e.g., organisational overview, impact statistics, case studies) and “lessons learnt” logs to improve future bids.
• Strategic oversight for quarterly grant applications. Checking in with CEO on a quarterly basis to discuss upcoming grants.
• Help CEO to build quarterly reports to Directors on the health of the application pipeline.

First Gens is a UK‑based startup social enterprise on a mission to reduce the educational outcomes gaps in higher education by providing information and guidance to undergraduates who are the first person in their family to pursue university. Supporting students to complete their education through our royal award‑winning Navigating University Programme and staff training.

Not Applicable

Other

Higher Education