Fundraising and Development

Fundraising & Development Trustee Botanic Gardens Education Network (BGEN) Location: Home-based, with occasional face-to-face meetings if required Role type : Voluntary Trustee Closing date: Tuesday 24th November 2026 Interviews: Early December 2026 About BGEN Founded in 1989, BGEN is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and the professional network for plant and nature educators across the UK and Ireland. We connect educators and community engagement professionals, build professional capacity and provide opportunities to share knowledge, experience and best practice through our Annual Conference, training, networking and wider member activities. BGEN also advocates for its members, helping strengthen the voice of plant and green-space education on matters that affect the sector. We are now looking for a Fundraising & Development Trustee to join our Board and help BGEN strengthen its long-term financial sustainability and strategic development. About the role This is an opportunity for someone with fundraising, income generation, partnership or organisational development experience to contribute their expertise to a specialist professional network. The Fundraising & Development Trustee will work closely with the Treasurer, BGEN Chair, Coordinator and fellow Trustees as part of BGEN's Treasury Workstream. A key priority for BGEN is to develop a more diverse and resilient funding model, increasing income from appropriate sources beyond membership subscriptions. The successful candidate will help us develop a realistic and proportionate approach to fundraising, identify appropriate opportunities and build relationships that can support BGEN's longer-term development. The role will also contribute to BGEN's wider strategic development, helping the Board consider how new funding, partnerships and opportunities can increase our impact while remaining appropriate to the organisation's capacity and values. Key responsibilities Working with the Treasury Workstream, Chair, Coordinator and fellow Trustees, you will: Help develop and review BGEN's fundraising and income-generation strategy Identify and assess appropriate funding opportunities, including grants, charitable trusts and foundations, sponsorship and partnerships Lead the development and submission of strong funding applications and proposals, working with Trustees and the Coordinator Help develop BGEN's approach to ethical fundraising and sponsorship Develop and strengthen relationships with potential funders, sponsors and strategic partners Support BGEN's wider strategic development Monitor progress against agreed fundraising and development objectives Bring relevant professional knowledge, networks and connections to BGEN Help build the organisation's confidence and capability in fundraising and development Promote a collaborative approach to fundraising across the Board. About you We are looking for someone who enjoys identifying opportunities, developing ideas and building relationships that help organisations become more sustainable and increase their impact. You will have experience in fundraising, grant funding, sponsorship, partnerships, business development or organisational development, or bring relevant transferable skills from another sector. You should be able to demonstrate: Experience of identifying and developing funding or income-generating opportunities Experience developing persuasive proposals, funding applications or business cases Strong relationship-building and communication skills Strategic thinking and sound judgement An understanding of ethical and values-led fundraising A collaborative approach to working with Trustees and colleagues A commitment to BGEN's charitable aims and to strengthening plant and nature education Sufficient time and capacity to fulfil the responsibilities of the Trustee role. Experience of securing grant or trust funding, developing sponsorship or corporate partnerships, income diversification, strategic development, or working with funders relevant to education, environment, biodiversity, sustainability or the natural world would be particularly useful. You do not need previous Trustee experience or to work in a botanic garden. Trustee commitment The role is home-based, with occasional face-to-face meetings if required. The expected commitment includes: Four online Board meetings each year, lasting approximately 90–120 minutes Approximately four to six online workstream meetings each year Attendance at the BGEN Annual General Meeting Attendance at the BGEN Annual Conference Approximately three days per quarter for meetings, preparation, reading papers and agreed follow-up actions Trustees are appointed for an initial three-year term, with the opportunity to serve one further term in accordance with BGEN's governing document. New Trustees will receive an induction to BGEN's charitable objectives, governance arrangements, strategic priorities, financial position, current projects and workstreams, with ongo