Freelance Brief: Fundraiser for Schools

Curious Minds is looking for a freelancer with a strong track record in grant writing to work with 5 secondary schools in North West England.

Commitment: A total of 15 days (3 days per school) to work with school SLT / business managers across the academic year 2025-26
Fee: £300 per day. Essential travel expenses may be claimed in discussion with programme managers.

Context

Curious Minds is currently working in partnership with Star Academies to support the provision of after-school enrichment clubs, trips and visits, for the academic year 25-26.

About the work

As part of Curious Minds’ partnership with Star Academies, and to support the continuation of the enrichment clubs that have taken place in 2025, we would like to engage the services of a skilled fundraiser, with experience of writing small and medium-scale grants to support activities with schools and their communities. This bid writing role will entail working with each of the 5 secondary schools, with nominated staff – most likely business managers, subject leads and a member of the senior leadership team. With 3 days’ work allocated to each school across the academic year, the successful applicant will:

Enable schools to identify performing arts-based activities that could be funded through grant applications.
Help schools to understand the funding environment, get ‘funding ready’ for their sector, identify specific funds to apply for and elevate their applications for a better chance of success.
Work with schools and their community partners to draft applications in the region of £1,000-£10,000.
Ensure that each school has a funding plan and at least one ‘bid ready’ application to submit by July 2026.

We are looking for someone who is...

an experienced fundraiser who can bring knowledge of the funding environment for schools, with a proven track record of grant writing in this sector. The majority of this work will take place online, or via email, as schools are spread across the NW, but a commitment to one in person visit per school is suggested.

You will be supported by Dr. Steph Hawke, Head of Impact & Evaluation, and Louise Hesketh, Programme Manager: Networks & Partnerships, to deliver this work.

How to apply

Applicants can fill in this short form to apply:

Apply here

Download this Brief

Deadline: Please submit your form by midnight on Tuesday, 30th September 2025.

All enquiries can be directed to louise.hesketh@curiousminds.org.uk.