The Literary & Philosophical Society of Newcastle Upon Tyne

Temporary Fundraising & Sponsorship Advisor Job Description Introduction / Opportunity Framing The Lit & Phil is entering a significant development phase through its Lit & Phil Open project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. We are seeking an experienced Fundraising and Sponsorship Advisor to play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our fundraising strategy at a critical moment. This is not a steady-state role. It is an opportunity to design and implement a fundraising approach that will support both immediate project needs and long-term financial sustainability. About the Organisation The Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne ( Lit & Phil ) is a historic charity established in 1793, dedicated to advancing education. Based in central Newcastle, operating from a Grade II listed building Home to over 200,000 books and music items Delivers approximately 150 public events annually Serves thousands of visitors and members each year Supported by staff and a strong volunteer network The organisation is embarking on a major heritage and engagement project to expand access, grow audiences, and secure long-term sustainability. The Role As our Fundraising and Sponsorship Advisor , you will provide expert strategic and delivery support across two key priorities: Securing match funding for a major Heritage Fund Delivery Phase bid Building sustainable income streams to improve long-term financial resilience You will operate both strategically and hands-on, working alongside trustees and project advisors. You will: Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising and sponsorship strategy Design and execute a targeted fundraising campaign for Lit & Phil Open Build a pipeline of funding opportunities across individuals, trusts, and corporate sponsors Strengthen and manage relationships with donors and stakeholders Create compelling funding proposals, applications, and reporting materials Develop promotional materials for fundraising campaigns Organise and support fundraising events and donor engagement activity Monitor, evaluate, and refine fundraising performance Key Deliverables (Development Phase 6 Months) Months 1 2: Deliver a review of current fundraising and sponsorship activity Provide recommendations aligned to priority funding needs Initiate early-stage fundraising actions By Month 4: Produce a detailed Fundraising and Sponsorship Strategy Include long-term sustainability planning beyond the project phase Provide costings and resource considerations By Month 5: Deliver a presentation of the strategy to trustees/stakeholders By Month 6 (September 2026): Secure at least 3 grants totalling £10,000+ Secure sponsorship from at least 3 organisations Key Deliverables (Strategic Priorities) Priority 1: Capital / Project Funding Secure match funding to support a potential £4.5m Heritage Fund Delivery bid Develop funding streams across individuals, trusts, and corporate donors Priority 2: Revenue Growth Develop fundraising approaches to increase annual income by 40% by 2029 Expand income across: Subscriptions and membership Sponsorship Events and ticketing Venue hire and commercial activity Person Specification Essential Experience & Skills Proven experience developing and delivering fundraising strategies Strong track record in securing funding (trusts, grants, corporate, or individuals) Excellent bid writing and proposal development skills Experience in donor relationship management and reporting Ability to design and deliver fundraising campaigns Strategic thinking combined with delivery capability Desirable Experience working with cultural, heritage, or educational organisations Experience with National Lottery Heritage Fund or similar funding bodies Experience in membership-based organisations Personal Attributes Strategic and analytical thinker Proactive and solutions-focused Able to work independently while engaging stakeholders effectively Adaptable within a project-based and evolving environment Strong communication and influencing skills Reporting Line Reports to: Trustee Board Member (Finance Lead) Works with: Project team, trustees, and external advisors Contract & Timeline Contract Type: Consultancy / Fixed-term Duration: Approx. 6 months (Development Phase) Start Date: April 2026 (or as soon as possible) Potential Extension: Delivery Phase (Jan ), subject to funding approval Monitoring & Reporting Monthly progress reports (max. 3 pages + dashboard) Regular engagement with trustees and project leadership Flexibility to respond to stakeholder and funder queries Closing Statement This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping the future of a historic institution, contributing to a major heritage project while building a sustainable fundraising model for the long term. We welcome applications from experienced advisors who can bring both strategic insight and practical delivery to this ambitious programme.