Penreach has the ambitious vision of education excellence for all South Africans. Through innovative educational intervention programmes, we strive to transform lives and communities through quality education. We believe that every individual, organisation, and institution has a role to play in creating opportunities for children and young people to reach their full potential.
About the Job
The Fundraising Lead plays a key role in driving the implementation of Penreach’s fundraising and resource mobilisation activities. The position is responsible for identifying funding opportunities, managing the fundraising pipeline, coordinating proposal development, supporting donor stewardship and ensuring effective fundraising systems and reporting.
The role forms part of the Partnerships function and contributes to strengthening Penreach’s long-term sustainability through effective fundraising coordination, donor engagement and resource mobilisation. The successful candidate will work closely with the Senior Manager: Partnerships and collaborate across the organisation to ensure fundraising efforts align with organisational priorities, programme needs and donor requirements.
This is not an entry-level fundraising position. Candidates must have demonstrated experience in developing funding proposals, grant applications and concept notes.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising and Resource Mobilisation
Research and identify new funding opportunities from a variety of sources, including trusts, foundations, corporate social investment programmes, government grants, international donors, sponsorships and other funding mechanisms.
Own and actively manage a robust pipeline of funding prospects from identification through to submission, reporting and stewardship.
Coordinate the development and submission of high-quality funding proposals, concept notes, applications and sponsorship requests.
Contribute directly to the achievement of annual fundraising targets through proactive opportunity identification, proposal development and donor stewardship.
Maintain an accurate fundraising database, CRM system and reporting tools to monitor donor engagement, proposal status and funding outcomes.
Support the development of fundraising campaigns and initiatives aligned to organisational priorities and strategic projects.
Work closely with programme teams to gather information, budgets, impact data and success stories required for funding applications.
Donor Stewardship and Stakeholder Relations
Build and maintain positive relationships with existing and prospective donors, sponsors and funding partners.
Support the Senior Manager: Partnerships in cultivating and maintaining strategic donor and funding relationships.
Coordinate donor visits, stakeholder engagements, presentations and partnership meetings.
Ensure timely communication with funders and stakeholders, including acknowledgements, updates and stewardship activities.
Assist with the management of funding agreements, contracts and donor compliance requirements.
Coordinate donor reporting processes in collaboration with programme, finance and MERL teams.
Fundraising Administration and Systems
Maintain accurate records of fundraising activities, donor engagements and funding outcomes.
Coordinate proposal calendars, reporting deadlines and funding milestones.
Maintain CRM records and ensure data quality and accuracy.
Monitor grant compliance and reporting requirements.
Compile fundraising reports, pipeline reports, statistics and performance updates for management and governance structures.
Ensure that fundraising documentation is stored and managed effectively.
Collaboration and Organisational Support
Work closely with the Senior Manager: Partnerships, Communications function, Programme teams, MERL and Finance teams to ensure fundraising activities are supported by strong evidence, compelling impact stories and effective stakeholder engagement.
Support the development of communication materials required for fundraising and donor stewardship.
Contribute to fundraising-related events, campaigns and stakeholder engagement opportunities.
Represent Penreach professionally in meetings, networking events, conferences and donor engagements when required.
Requirements
Essential
Relevant degree or diploma in Fundraising, Development Studies, Business Management, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Non-Profit Management or a related field.
Minimum of three years’ experience in fundraising, resource mobilisation, business development, donor relations or a related role.
Proven experience in proposal development and grant writing.
Demonstrated track record of developing and submitting successful funding proposals, concept notes and grant applications.
Strong project coordination, planning and administration skills.
Excellent written communication skills with the ability to develop compelling, donor-focused funding proposals.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
Desirable
Experience within the non-profit, education or development sector.
Knowledge of donor compliance, grant management and reporting processes.
Experience working with CRM or fundraising management systems.
Competencies and Personal Attributes
Strong relationship-building and networking abilities.
Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities simultaneously.
Self-motivated, proactive and results-driven.
Professional, adaptable and able to work collaboratively across teams.
Passion for education and community development.
High levels of integrity and accountability.
Additional Requirements
The successful candidate may be based anywhere in South Africa.
The candidate must be able to work effectively in a remote environment.
Travel will be required from time to time for donor meetings, stakeholder engagements, events and site visits.
A valid driver’s licence is advantageous.
A degree of flexibility may be required to accommodate donor engagements, events and organisational priorities outside of standard working hours.
To apply
To apply, email your application by Friday, 10th July 2026 to [email protected]
More Information
- Job City South Africa
