Head of Research and Fundraising — Voluntary Role

• *Important Notice — Unpaid Voluntary Role

Apologies for any confusion caused by the salary field on Indeed. This is a strictly unpaid voluntary role. Indeed requires a salary value to be entered for the listing to proceed, but no salary, wages or payment will be provided for this role.

• This role does not create a contract of employment, worker status, entitlement to salary, or entitlement to employment benefits. Volunteers are free to withdraw at any time. Reasonable travel and meal expenses may be reimbursed up to £20 by prior agreement and with receipts.*

Overview

We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Head of Research and Fundraising to lead our organisation’s efforts in securing vital funding and advancing our research initiatives. This is a voluntary role ideal for individuals with a strong background in fundraising, relationship management, and marketing. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in developing strategies to attract donors, build partnerships, and enhance our organisational profile through effective public relations. This position offers an excellent opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our mission while gaining valuable experience in the non-profit sector.

1. Job Description: Head of Research and Fundraising — Voluntary Role

Role Title: Head of Research and Fundraising

Organisation: The Confidence Academy

Location: Hybrid / Remote, with possible in-person collaboration where required

Commitment: Flexible, with punctual delivery around funding and application deadlines

Status: Voluntary, unpaid role

Reports to: Founder/Director

1. About The Confidence Academy:

The Confidence Academy is a UK social enterprise helping people build confidence through movement-based activities that tackle sedentary lifestyles and health inequalities. Our model combines accessible fitness, community engagement and behavioural economics principles to help people show up, participate and build long-term confidence through movement.

1. Purpose of the Role:

The Head of Research and Fundraising will support The Confidence Academy by identifying funding opportunities, researching evidence around sedentary lifestyles and health inequality, and translating complex research into clear, persuasive and presentation-ready materials.

This role is ideal for someone who is analytical, deadline-driven, confident in communication, and able to turn research into compelling funding narratives, slides, infographics and stakeholder-facing documents.

Funding deadlines are unforgiving, so punctuality, reliability and strong time management are essential.

1. Key Responsibilities:

• Research and Evidence Building
• Research public health, sedentary lifestyle, fitness participation, motivation, health inequality and community wellbeing.1.2. Identify credible statistics, studies, policy reports and funding-relevant evidence.1.3. Analyse information and draw sensible, evidence-based inferences.1.4. Translate complex research into plain English that a layperson, funder or community stakeholder can understand.
• Fundraising and Funding Applications
• Identify suitable grants, social enterprise funds, awards and partnership opportunities.2.2. Track application deadlines and ensure key dates are not missed.2.3. Support the Founder/Director with drafting, reviewing and strengthening funding applications.2.4. Help tailor applications to the priorities of different funders.
• Presentation and Communication
• Create clear, engaging research summaries for presentations, pitch decks and reports.3.2. Turn evidence into story-led slides, infographics and visuals.3.3. Support stakeholder and funder communications, including emails, briefing notes and presentation materials.3.4. Present research findings clearly and confidently when required.
• Use of AI and Digital Tools
• Use AI tools responsibly through a human-in-the-loop model, ensuring all outputs are checked, edited and factually verified.4.2. Use digital tools such as Canva, Google Slides and PowerPoint to create polished materials.4.3. Ensure research outputs are accurate, accessible and visually clear.

1. Skills and Experience Required:

• Essential Skills
• Strong research and analytical skills.1.2. Excellent written and verbal communication.1.3. Ability to explain complex information in simple, persuasive language.1.4. Good presentation and storytelling skills.1.5. Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.1.6. Confidence using PowerPoint, Google Slides and/or Canva.1.7. Ability to work independently and take initiative.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with fundraising, grant writing or funding applications.2.2. Understanding of public health, fitness, wellbeing, social enterprise or health inequality.2.3. Experience creating infographics, pitch decks or research summaries.2.4. Experience engaging with stakeholders, funders, councils, charities or community groups.2.5. Responsible use of AI tools for research, drafting, summarising and presentation development.

Personal Qualities:

• Reliable and deadline-focused.
• Confident speaker and communicator.
• Curious, analytical and evidence-led.
• Able to simplify without dumbing down.
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving start-up/social enterprise environment.
• Passionate about tackling sedentary lifestyles and health inequality.
• Able to balance creativity with accuracy.

What You Will Get:

• Induction and regular supervision with the Founder/Director.
• Informal guidance on partnership outreach, safeguarding and data management.
• Informal training on health and safety and community engagement best practices.
• Office space may be provided for collaborative projects.
• Volunteering Certificate after completion of 8 weeks of volunteering and active participation in the programme.
• Complimentary T-shirt/jacket and other freebies.
• Professional reference, subject to satisfactory volunteering contribution.
• Travel and meal expenses reimbursed up to £20, subject to prior agreement and receipts.
• £100 Amazon Gift Card when you volunteer with us for 3 months (20 hrs a week).

1. Equal Opportunities:

The Confidence Academy is committed to inclusion under the Equality Act 2010. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and provide reasonable adjustments where needed.

1. Status:

This is a strictly voluntary, unpaid role. It does not create a contract of employment or entitlement to salary, benefits, or worker rights. Volunteers are free to withdraw at any time.

Job Type: Volunteer

Benefits:

• Free fitness classes
• Store discount
• Work from home

Work Location: Hybrid remote in London