CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK

Fundraising Manager

About Anam Cara

Anam Cara is an all-Ireland charity dedicated to providing support services to parents who have experienced the devastating loss of a child. Established in 2006, the organisation was founded by parents who had themselves endured such loss and recognised the need for accessible, compassionate support networks. We work to support parents through the intense grief, deep challenges and difficult milestones, to ensure no bereaved parent or sibling feels alone after the loss of a child.

What Anam Cara Does

Anam Cara offers a range of services aimed at addressing the emotional and practical needs of grieving parents, including:

1.      Peer Support Groups:  Safe and understanding environments, facilitated by professional specialist facilitators and supported by volunteer parents, where parents can connect with others who have experienced similar losses.

2.      Information Evenings and Resources:  Expert-led sessions on grief, coping strategies, and other relevant topics, with dedicated public resources available both in physical form through partners and via our team, and on website and digital platforms.

3.      Online Support Groups:  To ensure accessibility, especially for those unable to attend in person.

4.      Family and Individual Support:  Programs and events, such as our family remembrance events, bereavement support tailored to address the unique needs of parents and their families.

5.      Referrals and Signposting: We facilitate links to other relevant organisations who specialise and provide professional support including after Neo Natal Death or Suicide Bereavement.

Core Philosophy

We believe that no parent should have to face the loss of a child alone.  We emphasise empathy, understanding, and creating a non-judgmental space for grieving parents to express themselves and heal. Anam Cara believes deeply in our values of quality, compassion, empathy, inclusivity, trust and collaboration.

The name Anam Cara translates to "Soul Friend" in Irish, reflecting the charity's mission to provide deep, meaningful companionship and support during the hardest of times.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a compassionate, purpose-driven team making a real difference in the lives of grieving families.
• An opportunity to develop and shape a new fundraising function.
• Flexible and empowering working environment.
• Huge scope for professional growth.

About the Role

As our sole fundraiser, you will take ownership of Anam Cara's fundraising function – leading on events, community, and corporate fundraising, while also managing the operational detail that keeps everything running smoothly.  This is a hands-on role – the successful candidate will feel just as confident engaging with corporate partners or preparing cases for support for grant or major donor funding opportunities, as they are sending thank-you letters, sharing love and gratitude to our donors, or updating the donor database.

You will be supported by a CEO with over 13 years of professional fundraising experience, and a committed, values-driven team who are passionate about learning and growing and consistently show up for each other and for the families we serve.

We are seeking someone with people and connection at their heart, with the resilience and creativity to grow income and help shape a sustainable fundraising programme for Anam Cara's future.  You will be passionate about people, motivated and highly organised, and excited to work across multiple income streams.  You'll thrive working independently, while also enjoying being part of a small, dynamic team united by compassion and purpose.

This is a unique opportunity to step into a role where you can truly make your mark: building the foundations of a sustainable fundraising programme, strengthening awareness of Anam Cara, and directly contributing to the impact we can make for bereaved parents nationwide.

Key Responsibilities

1.      Community & Events Fundraising:

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of fundraising events and campaigns.
• Proactively engage with community fundraisers, volunteers and supporters, ensuring they feel resourced and valued.
• Provide excellent supporter care, encouraging long-term relationships.

2.      Corporate Fundraising

• Research, initiate and manage corporate relationships, fostering deep connections to develop meaningful corporate partnerships. 
• Develop workplace giving and corporate volunteering opportunities.
• Confidently represent Anam Cara externally to prospective partners.

3.      Philanthropy and Grants

• Work in partnership with our outsourced grant-writing provider to support project development and ensure strong, competitive funding applications.
• With the support of the CEO, lead on the review and oversight of all grant submissions, ensuring alignment with Anam Cara's priorities and impact.
• Research and identify potential funding opportunities from trusts and foundations, cultivating strong relationships with funders, and creating stewardship reports to demonstrate the impact of the funding received.

4.      Fundraising Operations, Donor Development, & Donor Care

• Own the implementation, development and maintenance of Anam Cara's donor database, with the support of our services team database lead, to ensure accurate donor records and data compliance.
• Build individual donor income, developing regular giving and one-off donation opportunities.
• Deliver consistent, person-centred, donor stewardship, including thank you letters and recognition initiatives.
• Produce reports on income, donor engagement and fundraising performance for the CEO and Board.
• Ensure all activity complies with fundraising regulations and GDPR.

5.      Strategic Contribution

• Work with the CEO to develop and implement Anam Cara's fundraising strategy, advancing fundraising processes and operations to build the foundations for fundraising growth.  
• Bring ideas, creativity and insight to help shape the next stage of our fundraising development.
• Lead on the development of compelling cases for support.
• Represent fundraising perspectives within the organisation, ensuring alignment with Anam Cara's mission and values.

As our fundraising program is evolving and this is a new role for Anam Cara, flexibility within responsibilities is required.

Person Specification

Skills & Experience:

• 3-5 years' experience in fundraising, ideally across multiple income streams.
• Demonstrated success in delivering fundraising income.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with proven experience building relationships with supporters, and a passion for making donors feel valued, engaged, and connected. 
• Exceptional and engaging written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create compelling content. Fluency in written and spoken English essential.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to juggle multiple projects.
• Comfortable with administration: database management, donor communications, acknowledgements.
• Familiarity with digital fundraising platforms and social media for campaign promotion an advantage.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends when required.
• Full clean driving licence; access to a car desirable.

Personal Attributes:

• Flexible, resilient, and emotionally agile, with a high level of self-awareness.
• Collaborative and adaptable – thrives in a small, supportive team and comfortable working independently.
• Warm, compassionate, collaborative, with a passion for learning and growth.

Terms

• Permanent role following 6-month probationary period.
• Full-time or flexible 4-day working week arrangement will be considered. Please talk to us about the flexibility you need. We cannot promise to be able to accommodate every request, however we will do our best to find a working arrangement that works for both you and Anam Cara.
• Anam Cara currently operate a hybrid working model, with flexibility to work part of the week from our office base in Tallaght and the remainder of each week working from home. 
• Due to the nature of the role and our commitment as an all-island charity, some travel and weekend work may be required.
• Salary €46-€52k pro-rata, commensurate with experience.
• Up to 5% matched contributory Pension, effective immediately.
• 25 days annual leave, pro rata.
• Additional discretionary gifted leave days over Christmas and Good Friday.
• Personal and professional training and development opportunities.
• Training and support around grief and bereavement, including team group supervision and access to individual supervision and counselling support.
• Pension Contribution, Sick Leave, Bike to Work scheme, Wellbeing Supports, free Car Parking on site.

Anam Cara is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating a workplace that is diverse, inclusive, and welcoming to all. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, colour, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, physical or mental disability, housing status, or any other protected characteristic. We believe that a diverse team strengthens our work and helps us better support the families we serve.  We will make reasonable accommodations to support candidates and colleagues, both throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace.  If you require any adjustments or support ahead of your interview, please let us know – we would be happy to help.

How to Apply

Please email your CV and tailored cover letter outlining your suitability and experience for the role to m.reynolds@anamcara.ie by 5pm on Friday 23^rd January 2026. All candidates will receive a confirmation of application. First-round interviews currently scheduled to take place at the end of January.

Informal enquiries welcomed and will be treated with strictest confidentiality. Please contact Michelle Reynolds, CEO, at m.reynolds@anamcara.ie. 

Position is subject to reference check.  Candidates must be both resident in Ireland, and legally entitled to work in Ireland, at the time of application.