Vacancies
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Fundraising Consultant (Trusts, Grants & Capital Projects)
About the Organisation
Parndon Mill is a vibrant artistic and creative hub, in a stunning setting on the canal in Harlow. The Mill has three Grade II listed buildings and houses a well-established community of 40 artists working across a wide range of disciplines. Our community outreach includes a programme of exhibitions, a diverse range of workshops and a growing number of community engagement opportunities.
As a registered Charity, our mission is to promote the arts throughout Harlow and surrounding areas. Our vision is to give everyone in our community the opportunity to experience, create, and appreciate art and craft. As such, we offer exhibitions, project space, workshops, and collaborative programmes that deepen local engagement with the arts and make creativity accessible to everyone.
We are now entering a pivotal phase of development that will shape the legacy and impact of Parndon Mill long into the future.
Context for the role
Following an independent strategic and financial review in March 2026, Parndon Mill has identified grant and capital fundraising as critical priorities for its next phase of development.
We aim to develop a more structured and sustainable approach to income generation to support our strong foundations of a heritage site within canal setting, collaborative artist community and growing public programme. In pursuit of this aim we plan to strengthen core grant income, develop corporate partnerships, and build a credible and compelling case for capital investment that will safeguard and enhance both our community and historic building for future generations.
Without continued investment, there is a real risk that essential aspects of the building and infrastructure will constrain our ability to fully deliver on our cultural and community purpose. With investment, there is significant potential to expand access, grow the number of accessible studios in response to increasing demand as Harlow expands, improve facilities, and deepen our impact as a creative and civic asset.
We are seeking a freelance Fundraising Consultant to drive forward income generation to facilitate this work; they will shape income strategy, build funding pipelines, and secure early funding that will lay foundations for our long-term resilience.
Role purpose
The role combines strategic development with hands-on delivery, including active bid writing and funder engagement from the outset. You will be responsible for developing and implementing a fundraising programme spanning trusts, foundations, corporate partnerships, and capital-focused income generation.
Working closely with trustees and key stakeholders, you will help shape Parndon Mill’s funding approach at this pivotal moment - combining immediate income generation with longer-term capital planning.
The role will focus on:
• Trusts and foundations fundraising (core priority), developing a structured and realistic funding pipeline
• Strengthening the organisation’s readiness for capital and heritage funding applications