Capital Appeals Manager Consultant (Temporary)
The opportunity
We are commissioning a Capital Appeals consultant/freelancer who will play a pivotal role in securing vital funds to purchase a new building, Kids Inspire’s new head office.
The immediate goal of the Capital Appeals consultant will be to secure funds for our new building. We have secured £300,000 in pledged support from trusts and foundations. Our fundraising target is £1 million, enabling to avoid the need for mortgage financing. The estimated total cost of the building, including VAT, is approximately £1.3 million.
About Kids Inspire
Founded in 2007, Kids Inspire is a children's mental health charity currently working in Essex and Suffolk, offering free trauma recovery support to children and young people who might not otherwise receive it.
Leading with a trauma informed approach that looks at negative childhood experiences, we address the causes rather than the symptoms and focus on supporting children and young people to overcome challenges, heal from trauma, and build brighter futures.
What do we do?
Therapy sessions focus on the strengths of the child and family. They build and nurture resilience and self-confidence, enabling children and young people to process difficult emotions and thrive. Our qualified and experienced therapists are trained in a broad range of therapeutic interventions, specifically tailored to each child's unique needs.
We also offer family support sessions that empower families with the skills and confidence they need to support their child's mental health.
Our community outreach work connects us to our local community. Through school assemblies, workshops, partnerships and community events we offer mental health resources and promote positive wellbeing.
The role
Job title: Temporary Capital Appeals Manager Consultant
Location of the Job: Hybrid position with opportunity to work from home and to meet in person/use Kids Inspire office space (Great Baddow, CM2 7FW).
Contractual terms: Freelance Consultant/Temporary (until funds for new building are secured)
Hours: One to three days per week dependent on availability and experience
Pay: £250 to £350 per day (depending on experience)
Who you’ll be working with:
Primarily our Head of Fundraising, Paula Ashfield with support from our CEO/Clinical Director, Sue Bell and:
Senior Leadership Team
Fundraising Team
Communication and Marketing Team
Community Engagement Team
Impact Team
What you can expect from us:
Full briefing support and access to key documentation from the Kids Inspire team before you start.
Regular check-ins with the CEO and other key members of our Senior Leadership Team.
Hybrid position with opportunity to work from home and to meet in person/use Kids Inspire office space.
Access to key documents, budgets, policies, and SharePoint site
Endorsements and recommendations via LinkedIn/ contractor website at the end of the contract (if requested)
Main focus
The Capital Appeals Manager consultant will secure the funding and galvanise the support required to make the building purchase possible. They will provide strategic leadership across the project lifecycle, aligned with our values, compliance needs and funding conditions.
Alongside significant fundraising for construction of this new building, the Capital Appeals consultant will develop
Feasibility assessments: Evaluating whether the fundraising goal is realistic, and identifying potential sources of major gifts, grants, or philanthropic partnerships.
Case for support: Crafting a compelling narrative that communicates why our new building matters. Not just in bricks and mortar, but in transforming mental health services and lives.
Campaign planning: Developing a time-bound, phased campaign, with milestones, financial targets, etc.
Donor strategy: Cultivating major donors, corporate sponsors, and grant makers through targeted approaches.
Audience:
Engaging with:
major donors and philanthropists
grant-makers
community leaders
corporate partners
media and PR contacts
What we need from you:
Experience of prospect mapping, gift tables, feasibility studies, managing relationships with funders and a track record of success in raising capital funding
You must be a strategic planner with the ability to design and implement capital appeal projects, defining objectives, timelines and fundraising targets
Confident in building relationships with high-net-worth individuals
Exceptional communication skills, where you can create narratives to explain the urgent need for the building project in line with the charity’s values.
Resilience and adaptability
Strong research skills to identify funding sources.
You will attract new audiences focussed on supporting Kids Inspire to have a forever home.
You will be subject to an enhanced check of criminal records via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Reasonable adjustments will be considered as required by the Equality Act 2010.
The duties described in this job description must be carried out in a manner which promote equality of opportunity, dignity and due respect as outlined in the Equal Opportunities Policy of Kids Inspire.
Why now?
Our current head office, Hargrave House, is owned by Essex County Council who are planning on developing the plot for housing. The first phase of work is due to start in August 2025 with the demolition of an existing building adjacent to the office. There is a plan to exchange contracts in October 2025 and the building works are due to commence by April 2026 with a completion date no later than April 2027.
The new building will be developed in partnership with Essex County Council, who regard our work as integral to the community and are committed to supporting our long-term sustainability. Our journey, from operating out of a cleaning cupboard to securing our current premises through three significant moves, reflects the growth and resilience of our organisation. We are now ready to establish full autonomy over our premises through our new build.
As a gesture of continued support, Essex County Council is gifting the land and selling the building to us at cost. The total project value, inclusive of VAT, is £1.3 million.
Our need for a Capital Appeals consultant will alleviate internal capacity issues (time, resources etc.) and bring relevant specialist expertise required for this high-stake project. This is a time limited role, and we anticipate the role will commence at the end of 2025, and finish when the funds are successfully secured.
To apply
To apply or for more information, please contact Sue Bell, OBE DL by emailing sue@kidsinspire.org.uk
At Kids Inspire we continue to build and promote an inclusive culture that encourages, celebrates and supports diversity and offers equality of opportunities in all aspects of employment.
Applicants with the required qualifications will receive due consideration without regard to their race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, national origin, or disability.
Useful resources on Kids Inspire:
Learn more about Kids Inspire and our work, by watching our film.
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