Trusts and Grants Officer

We are currently looking for a Trusts and Grants Officer to work with the Grants and Project Development Manager and Somerset Wildlife Trust (SWT) teams to help nurture and grow our portfolio of Trust, Foundation and other Grant income to support core Trust activity and individual projects.

Trusts and Grants Officer
Salary: Banding Level 2 £27,000 - £30,500 FTE. (£21,000 - £24,400 per annum actual for 30 hours per week)
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Part time, 30 hours per week
Location: Taunton, Somerset, Opportunity for Hybrid working

About Us

Somerset Wildlife Trust is a local independent charity and the only organisation uniquely focused on improving the natural environment of Somerset for the benefit of wildlife and people. We champion Somerset s stunning, diverse, and important natural environment, making the case for nature to the public and politicians. We protect wildlife and lead the recovery of the environment by example, including on our nature reserves.

About You and the Role

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who is confident in managing a portfolio of small trusts and foundations and would like to gain experience working on major trust and grant applications.

We are looking for an experienced trusts and foundations fundraiser to join our team. This role will be a key part of our fundraising team, managing a portfolio of trust and foundations with the capacity to give up to £25,000 and the opportunity to assist with major grant funding bids which will enable us to drive forward our ambitious goals.

• You will deliver high quality written applications and reports in line with funder deadlines and keep in touch with donors and prospects via phone, virtually and in face-to-meetings and visits. We are looking for someone who has:
• Ability to manage tasks from start to finish and prioritise work to meet set deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to think creatively to generate income in line with our strategy.

Key responsibilities and tasks to meet the fundraising strategic targets:

Responsibility 1: Income generation

• Managing a portfolio of Trusts and Foundations to complete funding applications and, working with the Grants and Project Development Manager, to agree an annual programme of grant and trust applications to meet defined income targets.
• Assisting the Grants and Project Development Manager on major grant-funding applications and aligning smaller funds to secure match-funding for larger projects.
• Carrying out prospect research to identify new trust and grant funding opportunities.

Responsibility 2: Fund Relationship Management

• Stewarding an agreed portfolio of existing Trust and Foundation relationships, ensuring funder contributions are appropriately recognised and acknowledged and that grant criteria are met.
• Co-ordinating reports to funders, ensuring reports meet requirements and are sent on time.
• Developing new relationships with trust and foundation prospects identified to secure new income.
• Ensuring data on grant income and funders are updated and maintained to a high standard on the Trusts customer relationship management system (Blackbaud Raiser s Edge NXT) and SWT SharePoint.
• Assisting with the administration of the Trust s Programme Management Board (PMB) and project development documentation, helping develop cases of support and content for funding applications.

Responsibility 3: Supporting Wilder Fundraising Strategy

• Highlighting funding opportunities to SWT teams and contributing to funding applications led by other teams.
• Liaising with SWT Finance team to ensure grants are properly recorded, allocated and spending tracked.
• Providing additional support to the Fundraising & Marketing Team (F&M) and other SWT teams, as required and agreed with your line manager.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• 7% employer pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Flexible and agile working
• Wellbeing support EAP, wellbeing champions
• Diversity networks through RSWT/TWT
• Paid volunteer days
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• 33 days of holiday (25 + bank holidays) + Christmas shutdown
• Staff social calendar and events

The opportunity to make a real and positive difference to nature, communities and the climate

Closing date: Friday 24 April 2026
N.B. We encourage you to apply as soon as you can. Shortlisting will begin upon receipt of applications, and the position may be closed ahead of schedule if we receive sufficient interest.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We believe everyone is part of nature and should have the opportunity to experience nature, and in turn value and want to protect our natural world.

Our people are the most valuable asset we have in achieving our strategic goals. We know that while we have amazing people with an amazing diversity of skills, experiences, and backgrounds we have work to do to make sure we are as inclusive and representative as possible.

No agencies please.