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In the UK, the Director of Philanthropy role is most commonly titled Head of Fundraising or Director of Fundraising. Here is what you need to know.
UK salary bands range from £40,000 for a sole-fundraiser role at a small charity to £110,000+ at a large charity, NHS trust, or university.
The professional body is the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF); its Diploma in Fundraising and MInstF membership are the sector-standard credentials.
Day-to-day responsibilities include Gift Aid oversight, compliance with the Code of Fundraising Practice, and UK GDPR obligations alongside core fundraising strategy.
Zeffy is 100% free for charities: no platform fees, no transaction fees, no credit card fees. Every pound raised goes to your mission.
A Director of Philanthropy leads fundraising, builds donor relationships, and ensures a charity has the financial support it needs to keep doing its work. It is one of the hardest and most important roles in the sector.
A Director of Philanthropy is the person responsible for bringing income into the charity. They lead fundraising, build donor relationships, and ensure the organisation has the financial support it needs to continue its work.
In the UK the role is most commonly titled Head of Fundraising or Director of Fundraising. The title 'Director of Philanthropy' surfaces at larger charities, universities, hospices, and NHS trusts, where it tends to skew toward major gifts, legacy giving, and philanthropic partnerships. Whatever the title, the core purpose is the same.
At a larger charity, that might mean managing a development team, overseeing a £5m+ fundraising target, and personally stewarding your most significant donors. At a smaller organisation, it often means doing all of that yourself: writing the grant application on Monday, meeting a donor for coffee on Tuesday, and preparing the trustees' report on Wednesday.
It is one of the hardest roles in the charity sector. It is also one of the most important. If your fundraising is not working, nothing else matters. The Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF) and NCVO both recognise senior fundraising leadership as a critical workforce gap, particularly for small and mid-size charities.
What do directors of philanthropy do daily?
The day-to-day looks different depending on your organisation's size, but most Directors of Philanthropy split their time between building relationships, planning strategy, and running campaigns. Here is what the typical scope covers:
Plan community outreach events and activities to build relationships with individual donors, corporate partners, and trusts and foundations
Plan and execute a sustainable financial structure for the charitable organisation
Develop strategies for fundraising, community outreach, and public relations
Lead and empower staff and trustees to take part in philanthropic activities
Maintain comprehensive donor records and manage the supporter database
Coordinate funding requests and prepare donor materials by collaborating with stakeholders
Develop and maintain an annual budget related to philanthropy and communications
Serve as the primary communicator for all stakeholders in the charity's structure
Oversee Gift Aid claims to HMRC via Charities Online; ensure valid declarations are on file for every eligible donation
Ensure compliance with the Code of Fundraising Practice (Fundraising Regulator; current version effective 1 November 2025, including the new Section 9 on online platforms)
Ensure compliance with UK GDPR / Data Protection Act 2018 and PECR for direct e-marketing to donors and supporters
If the charity runs raffles or prize draws, oversee small society lottery licensing with the local authority under the Gambling Act 2005
File statutory returns with CCEW, OSCR, or CCNI as applicable, and manage the fundraising narrative in the Trustees' Annual Report
How to become a director of philanthropy
There is no single path into this role, but most Directors of Philanthropy follow a similar progression. Here is what it actually looks like.
Step 1: Get your degree
Most people in senior fundraising roles hold at least a bachelor's degree, typically in charity management, marketing, business, public administration, or a related discipline. The UK sector is more experience-led than credential-led, so a strong track record can carry more weight than a postgraduate qualification. That said, postgraduate options are available for those who want them: the CIoF's own Diploma in Fundraising is the sector-standard route, and universities including Bayes Business School (City, University of London) and London South Bank offer MSc programmes in Charity Management.
Step 2: Start in frontline fundraising (years 1 to 3)
Roles such as Fundraising Officer, Annual Giving Coordinator, or Grants Writer. This is where you learn how fundraising actually works: donor communications, event logistics, CRM data entry, Gift Aid administration, all of it. It is not glamorous, but it is where you build the skills that matter.
Step 3: Move into mid-level management (years 3 to 6)
Think Major Gifts Officer, Fundraising Manager, or Deputy Head of Fundraising. You will start managing your own donor portfolio, leading campaigns, and supervising junior staff. This is the stage where you prove you can raise money and lead people at the same time.
Step 4: Step into director-level leadership (years 6 to 10+)
Now you own the full fundraising strategy. You are managing a team, reporting to the Chief Executive, and personally stewarding the organisation's most important donors and philanthropic relationships.
Certifications worth getting
CIoF membership, the Chartered Institute of Fundraising is the UK's professional body for fundraisers. Membership tiers include Individual, MInstF (Cert), and MInstF (Dip). Joining also gives access to CIoF special-interest groups in Major Donors, Corporate Fundraising, Trusts and Statutory, and Legacies.
CIoF Diploma in Fundraising, the sector-standard qualification for fundraising professionals in the UK. Covers strategy, donor development, and fundraising law and ethics.
CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive), an internationally recognised credential, respected in the UK particularly for cross-border or senior strategic roles. Requires 5+ years of experience and a passing exam score.
At a small charity, you might move from first development hire to Head of Fundraising in 3 to 5 years. The title comes faster when you are building the programme from scratch rather than inheriting it. If you are willing to do the work, the path is shorter than most people think.
Experience Level
Salary Range
Context
Entry-level (1–3 years in role)
£70,000 – £90,000
Typical at small nonprofits with budgets under £2M
Often a sole-fundraiser role with full programme ownership
Mid-size charity (£1m to £10m income)
£55,000 to £75,000
Usually manages a small team; reports to Chief Executive
Large charity, NHS trust, or university (£10m+ income)
£75,000 to £110,000+
Strategic leadership role; may oversee a department
London weighting
Add £5,000 to £10,000
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland typically 10 to 15% below London
What moves the needle on salary:
Organisation size matters most. A Head of Fundraising at a £500k charity will not earn the same as a Director of Philanthropy at a £20m hospital foundation. Smaller organisations often offer greater autonomy and direct impact.
Location. London roles carry a premium, but the cost of living absorbs much of the difference.
Income you are responsible for generating. If you are personally driving £5m+ in annual fundraising, you are in a stronger position to negotiate.
The UK charity sector uses overlapping titles. Here is how Director of Philanthropy compares to similar roles you will see advertised:
Role
Typical salary (£)
Reports to
How it is different
Head of Fundraising
£40,000 to £65,000
Chief Executive
Most common UK title at small-to-mid charities; owns the full fundraising programme
Director of Fundraising
£60,000 to £85,000
Chief Executive
Senior version; sits on the Senior Management Team; broader strategic remit
Director of Philanthropy
£70,000 to £110,000+
Chief Executive
Used at larger charities, universities, and hospices; skews toward major gifts and philanthropic partnerships
Head of Development
£55,000 to £80,000
Chief Executive or Director
Common in higher education and arts; often includes alumni relations
Major Gifts Manager / Philanthropy Manager
£40,000 to £60,000
Head of Fundraising or Director
Portfolio holder for high-value donors; reports to the Head or Director
Chief Executive (CEO)
£60,000 to £150,000+
Board of trustees
Top of house; the fundraising lead reports here at most UK charities
Here is the reality: at a small or mid-size charity, 'Head of Fundraising' and 'Director of Fundraising' are often the same job under a different title. At larger organisations, the Director of Philanthropy role skews toward major gifts and strategic donor relationships, while a separate Director of Fundraising may oversee the broader fundraising operation including events, appeals, and grants.
Role
Typical Salary
Reports To
How It's Different
Director of Philanthropy
£90K – £140K
ED or VP of Advancement
Owns the donor portfolio and development strategy
Director of Development
£85K – £135K
ED or CEO
More operational; philanthropy is one piece of the job
Chief Development Officer
£130K – £200K+
CEO
Sets org-wide revenue strategy; manages directors
VP of Advancement
£120K – £180K
President/CEO
Wider portfolio beyond just giving (common in higher ed)
Major Gifts Officer
£70K – £110K
Director of Philanthropy
Focused on one portfolio, not the full program
Types of director of philanthropy jobs
Directors of Philanthropy do not only work at charities. Hospitals, universities, hospices, museums, faith-based organisations, and community foundations all hire for this role, usually under different titles.
Here are the most common variations you will see on UK job boards:
Head of Fundraising, the most common UK equivalent; broader scope including events, grants, and individual giving
Director of Fundraising, senior version; sits on the Senior Management Team and reports to the Chief Executive
Head of Philanthropy / Director of Philanthropy, used at larger charities, universities, and hospices; major-gift and legacy-giving focus
Head of Development, common in higher education and arts (universities, museums, heritage); often includes alumni relations
Head of Individual Giving, focused on regular giving and donor stewardship
Head of Trusts and Foundations, grants specialism; manages trust applications and statutory funding relationships
Head of Corporate Partnerships, corporate fundraising and commercial partnership specialism
Head of Legacy Giving, specialises in legacy fundraising, a distinctive UK income stream (legacy income to UK charities runs to billions of pounds annually; see NCVO Civil Society Almanac for current figures)
Alumni Relations Director, universities and colleges; combines relationship management with philanthropic asks
Top 12 must-have skills for directors of philanthropy
A successful Director of Philanthropy possesses a diverse set of skills, including both specialist knowledge and essential soft skills. Here are the top 12 must-have skills:
Specialist skills
1.Donor relations: ability to build and maintain strong relationships with donors, trusts, and foundations
2.Donor prospects: expertise in identifying and securing major gifts that align with the organisation's mission
3.Strategic planning: proficiency in developing plans that support the charity's objectives and long-term financial sustainability
4.Fund development: skill in acquiring and growing resources through relationship-building and a diversified income strategy
5.Event planning: ability to organise a range of events, from large-scale galas to community fundraisers and fundraising activities
6.Fundraising: knowledge of executing capital campaigns, annual giving programmes, and special events
Soft skills
1.Project management: capacity to lead a team in completing projects on time and within budget while maintaining attention to detail
2.Organisation: ability to implement effective organisational strategies and manage multiple initiatives while meeting deadlines
3.Communication: proficiency in building strong relationships with supporters and collaborating with trustees, staff, and volunteers
4.Writing: skill in crafting compelling press releases to strengthen public and media relations, and writing persuasive grant proposals to secure funding
5.Leadership: aptitude for guiding the team toward achieving the organisation's fundraising goals and making strategic decisions
6.Problem-solving: capability to adapt to changing circumstances, think creatively, and develop innovative solutions to fundraising challenges
Free director of philanthropy job description template
Job Title
Director of Philanthropy
Location:[City, State — or "Remote" / "Hybrid"]
Reports to:[Executive Director / VP of Advancement / CEO]
Direct reports:[e.g., Major Gifts Officer, Annual Fund Manager, Grants Writer, Development Coordinator]
About Your Organization
[Organization Name] is a [mission area, e.g., youth mentorship, hunger relief, arts education] nonprofit serving [community or region]. With an annual budget of [$X million] and a team of [X] staff, we've [key impact metric, e.g., "provided 200,000 meals" or "served 15,000 students"] since [founding year].
The Role
We're looking for a Director of Philanthropy to lead and grow our fundraising program. You'll own the full development strategy — from major gifts and annual campaigns to grants and corporate partnerships — and build the donor relationships that fuel our mission. This role is equal parts strategy and execution: you'll set the vision and roll up your sleeves to make it happen.
What You'll Do
Lead fundraising strategy: Design and execute a comprehensive development plan targeting [$X] in annual revenue across major gifts, annual fund, grants, corporate sponsors, and events.
Build donor relationships: Personally manage a portfolio of [75–150] major gift prospects. Cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts at the £10K+ level.
Grow the team: Hire, mentor, and lead a development team of [X]. Set clear goals, build a culture of accountability, and invest in professional growth.
Drive campaigns: Plan and execute annual giving campaigns, capital campaigns, and special fundraising initiatives. Set targets, track progress, and report results to leadership.
Manage grants: Oversee the grants pipeline — prospecting, writing, and reporting. Maintain relationships with foundation and government funders.
Strengthen corporate partnerships: Identify and grow sponsorship, cause marketing, and employee giving opportunities with corporate partners.
Own the data: Maintain donor records and pipeline in [CRM name, e.g., Bloomerang, Salesforce, Zeffy]. Use data to segment donors, forecast revenue, and measure ROI on fundraising activities.
Partner with leadership: Work closely with the Executive Director and Board to align fundraising with organizational strategy. Prepare board reports and support board members in their fundraising roles.
Represent the org: Serve as a visible ambassador at community events, donor meetings, and industry conferences.
What You Bring
Experience: 7+ years in nonprofit fundraising or development, with at least 3 years managing a team. Proven track record of personally closing five- and six-figure gifts.
Education: Bachelor's degree required. CFRE certification or Master's in Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or related field is a plus.
Fundraising depth: Hands-on experience across major gifts, annual giving, grants, events, and corporate partnerships. You've built or significantly grown a fundraising program before.
Donor instinct: You know how to read a room, build trust, and move a prospect from interest to investment. Stewardship isn't an afterthought — it's how you keep donors engaged for the long haul.
CRM fluency: Comfortable using donor management tools to track relationships, forecast revenue, and segment outreach. Experience with [Bloomerang, Salesforce, Zeffy, etc.] preferred.
Communication: Strong writer and compelling storyteller — you can craft a grant proposal, a donor appeal letter, and a board presentation with equal confidence.
Mission alignment: Genuine passion for [mission area] and a commitment to equity and inclusion in fundraising practices.
Compensation
Salary: [£90,000 – £140,000], depending on experience and organizational budget. Benefits include [health insurance, retirement match, PTO, professional development stipend, flexible schedule, etc.].
How to Apply
Send your resume and a cover letter to [email or application link]. In your cover letter, tell us about a fundraising win you're proud of and what drew you to our mission. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Questions? Reach out to [contact name and email].
Why This Role Matters
Every dollar you raise goes directly to [specific impact: "feeding families," "mentoring students," "protecting wildlife habitat"]. As Director of Philanthropy, you're not just filling a pipeline — you're building the financial foundation that keeps the mission running. If you're a relationship-builder who gets energized by connecting people to causes they care about, we'd love to hear from you.
Job Title
Director of Philanthropy — Small Nonprofit
Location:[City, State — or "Remote" / "Hybrid"]
Reports to: Executive Director
Team size:[Solo or 1–2 direct reports + volunteers]
About Your Organization
[Organization Name] is a [mission area] nonprofit with an annual budget of [£250K – £2M]. We're a small team — [X] staff members and a dedicated group of volunteers — doing work that punches way above our size. We've [key impact, e.g., "served 5,000 families" or "awarded 200 scholarships"] and we're ready to grow our fundraising to match our ambition.
The Role
We need someone who can own fundraising from top to bottom. In a small org, the Director of Philanthropy isn't just setting strategy — you're writing the grant, meeting the donor for coffee, updating the CRM, and planning the gala. If you thrive with autonomy and aren't afraid to build systems from scratch, this is your role.
What You'll Do
Own the fundraising plan: Create and execute an annual development plan targeting [$X] in revenue. You'll manage the full mix — individual donors, grants, events, online giving, and corporate sponsors.
Be the primary fundraiser: In a small org, you are the development team. You'll personally cultivate major donors, write grant proposals, run campaigns, and manage donor communications. Expect to be responsible for 70–90% of revenue generation.
Build the donor base: Grow our donor pipeline from [current size]. Identify new prospects, convert first-time donors into recurring givers, and design stewardship touches that keep supporters engaged — without a big budget.
Run events on a lean budget: Plan and execute 2–4 fundraising events per year — galas, peer-to-peer campaigns, online auctions, or community events. Use free and low-cost tools to maximize net revenue.
Manage grants end-to-end: Research foundations, write proposals, track deadlines, and submit reports. You'll manage the full grant lifecycle without a dedicated grants writer.
Keep the data clean: Maintain donor records in [CRM, e.g., Zeffy, Bloomerang, or even a spreadsheet]. Track giving history, segment for outreach, and pull reports for the board.
Partner with the ED and board: Prepare board fundraising updates, coach board members on their donor outreach roles, and help recruit fundraising-minded board members as the org grows.
Tell the story: Write donor appeals, thank-you letters, email newsletters, and social media content that connects supporters to your mission. You don't need a marketing degree — just the ability to write like a real person about work that matters.
What You Bring
Experience: 3–7 years in nonprofit fundraising or development. You've worked in a small or mid-size org before and know what "wearing multiple hats" actually looks like.
Education: Bachelor's degree required. CFRE or relevant certifications are a plus, but practical fundraising results matter more than credentials.
Fundraising range: You've done major gifts, grants, events, and annual campaigns — maybe not all at once, but you've touched each one. You're comfortable being a generalist.
Scrappy mindset: You don't wait for a budget line to get things done. You find free tools, build relationships on coffee meetings, and figure out how to raise more with less.
Writing chops: Strong writer who can draft a compelling grant proposal, a warm donor thank-you, and a board report in the same week.
Tech comfort: You can manage a CRM, run an email campaign, and use online fundraising tools without an IT department. Experience with platforms like Zeffy, Mailchimp, or Canva is a plus.
Mission-first attitude: You care about [mission area] and want to be somewhere your work directly moves the needle.
Compensation
Salary: [£60,000 – £95,000], depending on experience and budget. Benefits include [health insurance, PTO, flexible schedule, professional development, etc.].
How to Apply
Send your resume and a short cover letter to [email or link]. Tell us about a time you built something from scratch in fundraising — a program, a campaign, a donor pipeline. We care more about what you've done than where you went to school. Questions? Email [contact name].
Why This Role Matters
In a small nonprofit, the Director of Philanthropy isn't a cog in a machine — you're the engine. Every dollar you raise goes straight to [specific impact]. You'll see the results of your work in real time, not in a quarterly report. If you want to build something meaningful at an org where your effort directly shapes the mission, this is it.
Starting a new role? Set up fundraising in minutes — with zero fees.
Need to write a job posting for this role? We have built a template you can copy to your clipboard or download. It is ready to use: just fill in the brackets.
Two versions, depending on your organisation:
Director of Philanthropy, for mid-size charities with a development team and a £3m+ fundraising target
Small Charity Variant, for organisations under £2m income where this person is the primary (or only) fundraiser
Pick the version that fits, then copy or download.
Final thoughts
Whether you are hiring a Director of Philanthropy or stepping into the role yourself, the job comes down to three things: a clear strategy, strong donor relationships, and a team set up to execute.
If you are posting the role, use the free template above to get your listing live. And once your new Head of Fundraising is on board, give them tools that do not eat into the income they are raising.
Zeffy is 100% free for charities. No platform fees, no transaction fees, no credit card fees. Every pound your Director of Philanthropy raises goes directly to your mission.
UK salaries for this role vary by organisation size and location. At a small charity (under £1m income), a Head of Fundraising typically earns £40,000 to £55,000. At a mid-size charity (£1m to £10m), the range is £55,000 to £75,000. At a large charity, NHS trust, or university, salaries reach £75,000 to £110,000+. London roles carry a premium of £5,000 to £10,000. See CharityJob and Third Sector Jobs for current live listings with advertised salary bands.
At most small and mid-size UK charities, these titles describe the same job. 'Head of Fundraising' is the most common title at organisations with incomes up to around £10m. 'Director of Philanthropy' tends to appear at larger charities, universities, hospices, and NHS trusts, where the role skews toward major gifts, legacy giving, and high-value philanthropic partnerships. The Director of Philanthropy is typically a more senior, strategic position with a seat on the Senior Management Team.
The UK charity sector is experience-led. A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline (marketing, business, public administration, or charity management) is the common starting point. For professional credentials, the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF) is the UK's professional body: its Diploma in Fundraising and MInstF membership tiers (Individual, MInstF Cert, MInstF Dip) are the sector-standard qualifications. The CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) is also recognised in the UK, particularly for senior or cross-border roles.
At most UK charities, the Head of Fundraising or Director of Philanthropy reports to the Chief Executive (CEO). The Chief Executive in turn reports to the board of trustees. This is the standard governance structure under UK charity law. You may occasionally see the role report to a Director of Fundraising or Director of Operations at larger organisations with a more layered structure.
UK charity fundraising leadership carries specific compliance obligations that go beyond US equivalents. Key areas include: overseeing Gift Aid claims to HMRC and ensuring valid declarations are on file; complying with the Code of Fundraising Practice (Fundraising Regulator; current version effective 1 November 2025); ensuring UK GDPR / Data Protection Act 2018 and PECR compliance for all donor communications; overseeing small society lottery licensing with the local authority if the charity runs raffles; and managing the fundraising narrative in the statutory Trustees' Annual Report filed with CCEW, OSCR, or CCNI.
Senior fundraising leaders use a mix of CRM/supporter management platforms, fundraising tools, and communications software. UK-popular CRMs include Beacon, Donorfy, and Salesforce NPSP (Power of Us). For fundraising campaigns, event ticketing, and donor management in one free platform, many UK charities use Zeffy: no platform fees, no transaction fees, and Gift Aid-compatible donation forms.
The two primary UK charity sector job boards are CharityJob and Third Sector Jobs. LinkedIn is widely used for senior roles. Indeed UK also lists charity fundraising positions. The CIoF jobs board lists roles specifically within the fundraising profession.
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