Grants Officer

We are looking for an experienced Grants Officer to join our busy Engagement and Giving Team and play a vital part in supporting those fundraising for parish churches across the Diocese. You will provide guidance on funds available from Trusts and Foundations along with supporting our parishes through the application process alongside building long term connections with funders. You will help train and compile guidance for parishes on the navigation of fundraising potential from various sources and build alliances between parishes to share experiences.

You will directly fundraise for select Diocesan projects, identifying opportunities for grants, and applying for funding.

Duties Research and recommend Trusts and Foundations that will fund churches, whether heritage, repairs, reordering, ministry, environmental or community.

• Be fully briefed on the criteria of the key national church funders, provide project specific advice, and keep churches abreast of changes to funds and upcoming deadlines.
• Be knowledgeable on funding opportunities, support churches delivering social work to their wider community that (for example) reduce isolation, address food poverty and money management.
• Build knowledge of local funders, through networking and online research.
• Provide access and training for the Church of England Cornerstone grants database, to help identify funders, and to record and manage grant applications.
• Research Trust and Foundation Trustees to gain an understanding of funders philanthropic motivations.
• Provide case studies for the Diocesan website, and monthly Faith, Finance and Fundraising email, covering a variety of projects, to inspire more churches to try grants funding.
• Ensure grant information provided on the Diocesan website and through Cornerstone is accurate, by cross referencing against the Charity Commission and funder websites, and by responding to feedback from the parishes.

Respond to PCCs enquiries to discuss funding requirements. Provide training to PCCs on (e.g.) building a case for support, planning and writing grant applications, ongoing stewardship with funders, report writing and continuation funding.

• Whenever possible meet with the parish in person, or online, to fully understand their funding needs and financial situation.
• Help parishes learn how to write a strong ‘case for support’ that is both emotive, and financially robust.
• Understand and sensitively interpret charitable accounts, to strengthen grant applications and to help churches maximise the investment of their existing funds.
• Have an excellent understanding of restricted, designated and unrestricted reserves.
• When required, review and critique draft applications, to ensure a high standard is achieved.
• Encourage shared learning by budding up churches undertaking similar projects.
• Seek out examples of successful and unsuccessful applications as part of continual learning and development.
• Celebrate successful applications; write case studies, and if possible, visit completed projects or attend opening events.
• Support parishes in preparing applications for the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Community Fund and Awards for All programmes.
• Identify potential external bid-writers, that the Diocese might recommend or partner with, seeking testimonials to support any endorsement.

Secure grants for Milton Abbey capital appeal works and make grant applications that will directly support the work of the Diocesan Board of Finance.

• Working with the Milton Abbey Heritage Trustees, identify grant opportunities, make recommendations, write and submit applications, to secure significant grants for capital appeal work at Milton Abbey.
• Working with the Giving Advisor, use experience and insight gained in the role, to make recommendations about funding opportunities to bring long-term financial sustainability for Milton Abbey.
• Support the preparation of applications for the benefit of the DBF.
• Respond to ad-hoc requests for grant advice from colleagues at the DBF.

Build good relationships with major funders and build relationships with Trustees on behalf of Salisbury Diocese.

• Attend fundraising network meetings or Meet the Funder training sessions, to…