Remuneration: £20 per hour
Hours: 15 – 20 hours per week (subject to agreement)
Duration: 12 months fixed term, with a potential for extension depending on success.
Contract Type: Contract for Services (on a Self-employed basis)
Responsible to: SDS Head of Policy
Deadline: 12pm, 26 September 2025
Interviews: Wednesday 8 October 2025 (Time TBC)Workplace: Remote or office based working is available. SDS are based at Forthstone Office, 56 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9EB.
Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is looking for a talented Trusts and Grants Fundraiser to inspire funders to support SDS in achieving our vision to ensure sport and physical activity in Scotland are welcoming and inclusive for participants with disabilities. SDS is the Scottish governing and co-coordinating body of all sports for people of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability. Our strategic plan, which directs our work, can be found on our website.
Are you a sensitive storyteller, enthusiastic fundraiser, confident collaborator and dedicated researcher? You will design compelling funding applications, innovate new ways to connect with Trusts and Foundations, and steward vital income for our projects and services.
This role will enable SDS to grow its impact, strengthen donor relationships, diversify funding sources, and support long-term financial sustainability.
Do you
- Have a strong track record of securing funding via trusts and grants for organisations in the third sector?
- Have the ability to create engaging and innovative storytelling to evidence the positive impact of funding for people with a disability in Scotland?
- Have the knowledge and expertise to harness new ways of connecting to trusts, foundations and philanthropists?
You will be part of a dynamic and energetic team at SDS who support people with disabilities in Scotland to engage in sport and be more active.
To apply, please submit your C.V. and a cover letter indicating your suitability for the role to:
Mark Gaffney, SDS Head of Policy at mark.gaffney@Scottishdisabilitysport.com
If you would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Mark at the email above or by phoning 0131 317 1130.
Role description
Overview
Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is the Scottish governing body for disability sport. We lead inclusive sport in Scotland for participants and athletes with physical, sensory or learning disabilities, to ensure any person with a disability can participate in sport and physical activity, no matter their ability, geography or age.
Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is seeking to engage a new Trusts and Grants Fundraising position to assist in implementing an ambitious and exciting strategy for the organisation. The aim of the post would be to increase voluntary income, diversify funding sources, and support long-term financial sustainability.
Evidence from across the UK charity sector clearly shows that investment in fundraising leads to a strong return, with an average of £3–£10 generated for every £1 spent on professional fundraising. This role will enable SDS to grow its impact, strengthen donor relationships, and reduce reliance on short-term or restricted funding streams.
The organisation is based at Forthstone Office at 56 South Gyle Crescent in Edinburgh, EH12 9EB and the post-holder would be welcome to work from the office but home-working is also acceptable.
Key Outcomes
- To grow SDS’s trust, grant and philanthropy income (against agreed annual targets) through researching and identifying funding opportunities from charitable trusts, foundations and statutory funders.
- To create engaging and compelling storytelling for funding applications and partnership updates, that convey the case for support for SDS’s work.
- To provide excellent stewardship to a range of funders, developing supporter journeys that build and nurture relationships and their connection to SDS’s work.
- To acknowledge and receipt any funds received, while recording funder engagement on pipeline, the SDS JustGo CRM and Sharepoint systems to ensure strong and appropriate partnerships.
- To produce multiple applications to strict timescales and exhibit autonomy over workload, target and funding responsibilities.
- To conduct interviews, produce copywriting, and source relevant imagery for funding applications and partnership updates.
- To participate in an agreed amount of appropriate planning meetings, sharing and developing both ideas and solutions.
- To comply with Fundraising Code of Practice and Data Protection laws.
- To work with colleagues across the organisation to maintain all fundraising processes, procedures, and systems.
- To regularly update on variances in predicted income to the Head of Policy and Fundraising Board Director.
- To ensure all funding bodies are engaged with and thanked in a timely manner.
- Any other reasonable tasks requested by CEO or Head of Policy.
Person Specification – Scottish Disability Sport
Qualifications and attainments
- No mandatory qualifications required
- A qualification in Fundraising or Communications is desirable.
Work and other experiences (in employed or voluntary capacity)
- At least 1 to 2 years’ experience of working in a Trusts, Communications or equivalent role
- Proven track record of being part of fundraising success
- Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office/365, particularly Word, Excel, Teams and PowerPoint
- Knowledge of office systems, procedures and equipment
- Experience of other Microsoft applications
- Experience of working with cloud-based data systems and CRM systems
Skills
- Enthusiasm to engage and build relationships with new and loyal funders.
- Ability to tailor communication for a variety of audiences.
- Excellent verbal communication and proven copywriting abilities with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal stakeholders and work on cross-departmental initiatives.
- Excellent planning skills and an ability to identify and maximise opportunities.
- Ability to network and create good working relationships with people and organisations at all levels.
- Effective time management and prioritization skills with an ability to solve problems
- Keen to learn, strive for continuous improvement and make a difference
- Ability to successfully network with various stakeholders
- Ability to work independently and on own initiative
- A good understanding of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Codes of Practice and GDPR.
- Experience of WordPress and uploading content to websites is desirable
Personal qualities
- Well organised, self-motivated, flexible and adaptable