WCCM seeks to appoint an experienced, creative, and highly motivated Grant and Major Donor Fundraising Manager to lead fundraising and grant management across a global organisation dedicated to the teaching of Christian Meditation.
Based:Â WCCM Office in London EC1 (Homeworking days can be arranged)
Contract:        Part time – 28 hours per week, 1 Year contract (renewable)
Salary: £40,000 per annum pro rata (£32,000)
Reports to:Â Â Â Â Â Â Executive Director
Key relationships:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Executive Director, Senior Finance Manager & finance staff, Spiritual Director, members of International staff team, Finance Manager, selected trustees and other fundraising committee and task force members
Travelling:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Potential for occasional trip to Bonnevaux, France
The World Community for Christian Meditation, a UK registered CIO Charity, is looking for an experienced, reliable and organised grant and major donor fundraiser with solid previous service in the charitable sector. We are looking for a highly motivated and resourceful individual with a genuine interest in Christian meditation and spirituality and the individual and societal benefits it can bring.
The post holder will be responsible for strengthening organisational stewardship for our existing Major Donors (multiple schemes). The role will also take responsibility for researching and preparing both narrative and financial content and submitting attractive new proposals to potential donors (trusts, foundations), both new and existing as well as reporting on current grants.
BACKGROUND
The World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM)
The roots of the World Community lie in the desert tradition of early Christianity dating back to the 4th century. In 1975 John Main, a Benedictine monk (1926-1982), started the first Christian Meditation Centre in London. The WCCM is a global and inclusive contemplative family founded in 1991, based on the vision of John Main. His student and colleague, Fr. Laurence Freeman, OSB, also a Benedictine monk, is the current Spiritual Director of WCCM.
The Mission Statement of the World Community is: To communicate and nurture meditation as passed on through the teaching of John Main in the Christian tradition in the spirit of serving the unity of all. The World Community is now present in 120+ countries. Individuals, weekly groups and centres meet to meditate together on a regular basis. Groups meet in homes, parishes, schools, offices, hospitals, prisons and universities. There are also over 600 online meditation groups. This daily practice of meditation is the foundation of the Community. The Community has evolved steadily and grown to nurture the practice of meditation and to share this gift with others across an ever-growing spectrum of society – religious and secular. We see meditation as revealing the common ground between all faiths and cultures while respecting their uniqueness. www.wccm.org
THE POST
The post holder will report to WCCM’s Executive Director and work closely with the Senior Finance Manager & accountancy staff. In the course of his/her work s/he may also have direct dealings with number of key personnel as listed above. The work will fall into the following main categories:
§ Increasing income from new and existing donors including Major Donors for WCCM’s work on the promotion of meditation
§ Project development and preparation of all content for new bids in collaboration as required with other WCCM staff and volunteers
§ Coordination of WCCM’s existing grants
§ Checking expenditure on donor budgets in consultation with budget holders
§ Preparing appropriate financial reports for donors in consultation with WCCM’s accountant.
§ Collating monitoring and evaluation information.
The responsibilities associated with the post may require the occasional trip to France. In this eventuality, WCCM will cover all travel expenses.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Specific responsibilities and duties include:
I.         Major Donors 25%
·      Research and survey of existing WCCM Major Donors
·      Development of tailored stewardship schemes for existing Major Donors as well as other categories of donors such as Friends, Friends of Bonnevaux, and management of a team of volunteers who help to liaise with the meditators on these various lists of supporters.
·      Development of initiatives and with the support of the Marketing and Communication’s team, develop materials to present to groups of major donors.
II. Programme/Project Development (20%)
·      With the support of the members of the community, raise funds to ensure the continuity of WCCM International’s annual budget
·      Contribute to the planning of new projects & the re-packaging of existing ones, including the development of project plans and budgets, in consultation with other stakeholders.
·      Support the staff in the review, analysis and updating of WCCM’s key programmes
III.          Increasing income from new and existing grant givers (20%)
- Keep up to date with the interests of existing donors and increase income where possible.
- Research potential new donors in coordination with relevant staff.
- Lead on the development of new high-quality funding proposals for various parts of WCCM’s work for submission to trusts, foundations and other potential donors, including major donors
§ Coordinate with WCCM staff in the development of content of new funding proposals
IV.       Coordination of WCCM’s existing grants (20%)
·      In coordination with WCCM’s accountant and other relevant staff, coordinate and consolidate the preparation of timely narrative and financial reports for donors, managing timelines and reporting schedules.
·      Responsible for collecting monitoring and evaluation information from colleagues running projects to help ensure that projects funded by restricted grants are implemented in a timely and correct manner.
V.     Budgeting and financial reporting for projects (15%)
§ Support the staff in producing budgets for new projects.
§ Support the finance staff in producing financial reports for donors.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
1.    Degree or appropriate qualifications in a relevant discipline.
2.    Broad experience in fundraising from foundations, trusts, and major donors
3.    Experience of grant management and donor accountability in an INGO setting
4.    Experience of fundraising in a Charity/not for profit organisation.
5.    Ability to write clear, precise and succinct funding proposals in excellent English and to produce donor budgets and financial reports on spreadsheets.
6.    Proven experience of:
§ Project planning and budgeting
§ Narrative and financial preparation of funding proposals
§ Report writing
§ Monitoring budgets
§ Monitoring and evaluation of impact
§ Producing clear financial reporting for donors
§ Writing funding proposals
7.    Relevant experience of managing donor relationships, stewardship schemes and of maintaining grants management systems.
8.    Sound interpersonal, organisational, coordination, team building and time management skills
9.    Excellent networking and relationship building skills
10. Ability to oversee monitoring and evaluation and train others in its use.
 Special Skills/Knowledge
11. Understanding of Christian spirituality, particularly the contemplative tradition.
12. Ability to liaise effectively with people at various levels
13. Knowledge of funding sources, particularly trusts and foundations
14. Computer literacy – word processing skills, excel spreadsheets and ability to use Internet and email
15. Excellent oral and written skills in English
16. Ability to prioritise and to work on own initiative
17. Ability to carry out own administration and to take responsibility for own workload – this is a self-servicing position
18. A proven ability to think and act strategically
Other
19. Willingness to undertake very occasional international travel
20. Cultural sensitivity in a Christian setting, and an interest in cooperation with other faiths and secular spiritualities.
THE LOCATION
The post holder is encouraged to work from our London office. Work from home can be considered, in that case we would prefer a hybrid working arrangement. Subject to negotiation. WCCM’s International Office is at St. Mark’s, Myddelton Square, Islington, London EC1R 1XX. The Meditatio Centre (www.themeditatiocentre.co.uk) is also based at this location, where we teach Christian meditation and offering a full annual programme to meditators.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
§ Part Time 4 days per week. (four-month probation period). 1 Year contract (renewable)
§ Normal office hours are from 9.30 to 5.30pm. However, some flexibility is acceptable. WCCM does not pay overtime but time off in lieu may be taken in consultation with the Executive Director.
BENEFITS
Holidays: 25 days per year pro-rata plus bank holidays (includes days between Christmas/new Year)
Pension: 4% Contribution from WCCM
Flexible & Hybrid working
Start date: As soon as possible – First Quarter 2026
HOW TO APPLY
Email: donal.guerin@wccm.org with your up-to-date Curriculum Vitae accompanied by a detailed cover letter setting out how your skills and experience fit the job description and particulars of the job. CVs received with no accompanying letter will not be considered.
Kindly state in your application when you would be able to start. If you have not heard from us 2 weeks after the closing date, please assume you have not been shortlisted. First Interviews (probably online) are likely to be held the week of 1 December second interviews (in person) week of 8th December at our London office.
Closing Date: 23 November 2025
Interviews: early December 2025 Â
“A lively, welcoming, and collaborative work environment.” (Anuja, Accountants at WCCM)
“Even though we are busy, the London office always feels like a calm and welcoming environment where we put each other first and support one another to do the best job we can” (Kate, Meditatio Center Director)