Overview 

This is an exciting opportunity to develop your skills and experience as a multi-disciplined fundraiser, supporting a small but growing organisation in its mission to bring Proportional Representation to the UK, and fix our broken political system. This is an exciting and important time to be joining Make Votes Matter. 

The General Election in 2024 was the most disproportionate in history; trust in politics is low and people don’t feel heard by politicians. We believe that Proportional Representation could repair our broken politics – the majority of the public agrees, as does recently appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham who has committed the government to a Commission on electoral reform. Our ability to realise the potential of a supportive Prime Minister and to deliver our three-year strategy rests on harnessing the power of grassroots activists to put pressure on the Government and political parties; we need an ambitious fundraiser to help fund our strategy. 

The majority of our income comes from people who care as deeply about electoral reform as we do, so we are looking for someone with an interest in our mission and a passion for individual giving and philanthropy. You will also work with the leadership team on major donor income support and grant management.

You will be a core part of the small team, working closely with colleagues across campaigns, volunteer management and communications to deliver ambitious fundraising targets. You will be comfortable using digital tools to support fundraising and reporting. 

Make Votes Matter is committed to building a culturally and politically diverse team.

About Make Votes Matter

Make Votes Matter is a single-issue campaign for Proportional Representation in the House of Commons and encourages all parties, candidates and MPs to support PR.

Founded following the 2015 General Election MVM’s small core team works with a wide network of partners, volunteers and activists and local groups to secure support to replace First Past the Post voting in general elections with a system more representative of voter choices. 

Our vision, mission and values

Fair and Respectful Treatment
We are committed to ensuring all employees are treated with dignity and respect.

A Supportive and Inclusive Workplace
We are committed to a working culture that is welcoming and inclusive for all employees, regardless of background. 

Transparent and Ethical Leadership
As an organisation advocating for electoral reform, we hold ourselves to high standards of integrity and accountability. 

Clear Communication and Employee Engagement
Effective communication is key to a productive and engaged workforce.

Fundraising at MVM

MVM’s income is generated from supporters making regular and ad hoc donations, from high net worth individuals, and from grants income. We have recently updated our CRM software to use Engaging Networks for our database of 100,000 supporters. 

We secure grant income from a small number of foundations and major donations from a varied group of individuals. 

This role is the sole position with specific fundraising focus in a small team comprising leadership, operations, public affairs, campaigns, volunteer management and communications. 

Role detail

Reporting to: Deputy Chief Executive

Purpose of role: Develop, manage and implement Make Votes Matter’s fundraising strategy. 

Pension: Employer contribution 

Leave: 25 days, Christmas break, plus bank holidays 

Location: Central London / remote. This is a hybrid role, post holder is expected to attend the London office weekly for an induction period then a minimum of monthly team meetings.

Application process

To apply, please complete this form, which requires you to answer five aptitude questions.

Please send your CV (2 pages maximum) to ceo@makevotesmatter.org.uk  

And please complete this Equality, Diversity and Inclusion form.

Please submit your application by Thursday 12th November.

NOTE: You must have the right to work in the UK – we are unable to apply for a working visa for this position.

Strong submissions will usually demonstrate experience through examples, rather than making general statements. Rather than ‘I have strong experience fundraising’, explain a situation where you delivered good fundraising outcomes, how you achieved this, what your role was and the skills you used. We understand AI can be a useful tool in job applications, however we want to hear your voice and personalised examples of your work skills and experiences. 

Recruitment process 

First stage interviews will take place online with the Deputy CEO and Head of Community on Monday 23rd November and Tuesday 24th November. 

Second stage interviews will take place in person in central London with the CEO and Deputy CEO on Monday 30th November, including an opportunity to meet the wider team. 

Make Votes Matter seeks to represent society in our recruitment – please let us know if there are modifications to the recruitment process which we can make to help you shine.