HEAD OF FUNDRAISING

“Changing Tunes has been a bright light at the end of a very long tunnel. It’s made me realise I am still me inside.”

Participant

About Changing Tunes

Changing Tunes is a registered charity (no. 1144789) that uses music to unlock human potential and reduce reoffending, working in prison and post-release, as well as pupil referral units and children’s secure homes in the community.

We started in 1987 when our founder took his guitar into HMP Bristol. He was inspired by his Christian values, wanting to reach out to those who had found themselves in prison. Changing Tunes now works in 18 locations across the England and Wales, from Stoke on Trent, through the Midlands and into the Southwest right down to the Isle of Wight, as well as having its own off shoot record label, Red Tangent Records. We offer a model of music and mentoring, which we continue to provide post-release. This work is delivered throughout the year by our musicians-in-residence.

The effectiveness of our approach is evidenced in our reoffending rates, which significantly below the national average.

Values Statement

The values of Changing Tunes underpin the whole purpose of the service it delivers and

the method of delivering it:

·         Valuing people, demonstrated both in the long-term commitment to the people

we work with and in the collaborative approach taken by musicians;

·         Hope and motivation through the non-judgmental, warm and positive attitude of the musicians to conceive of a future where challenges can be overcome and spiritual, social and emotional well-being experienced

·         Inclusion and access for all without discrimination regardless of who they are, what their stage of life is or what they believe

·         Trust developed through respectful relationships characterised by honesty and

respect;

·         Enjoyment and fulfilment through positive endeavour and achievement both in

community and individually.

·         We are open to anyone regardless of what they believe. If we are asked about our beliefs, we will share them, but we do not expect participants to do the same.

Five year Strategy 2026-2031

Our Mission

Changing Tunes exists to transform the lives of people who have involvement in the criminal justice system, experienced trauma and disadvantage. We believe that music is a uniquely powerful catalyst for personal and social change—offering confidence, connection, identity and hope to people whose voices are often unheard.

Our Vision

A society where no one is defined by their past – Where music empowers people to rebuild their lives, discover their potential and create new futures.

Strategic Framework

·         Amplify young voices

·         Strengthen the sustainability of the musician in residence model

·         Expand post-release community music pathways

Our approach

Across all areas of our work, Changing Tunes remains committed to:

·        Person centred, relational support grounded in trust and compassion

·         Trauma informed practice embedded within all programmatic design and delivery

·         Consistent, high-quality musical engagement as the vehicle for transformation

·        Strong partnerships with prisons, youth offending institutions, education

providers, probation services and community organisations

·         Robust evidence and learning, demonstrating the long-term value of creative rehabilitation

·        Inclusivity integrating recommendations from our Anti-racism steering Group

This approach ensures that our programmes remain impactful, ethical, and responsive

to the needs and strengths of the people we support.

Our commitment

We will continue to work with creativity, integrity and compassion—standing alongside people as they rebuild their lives and futures. This strategy represents a confident, ambitious vision for the next five years and a renewed commitment to our mission: to change lives through music, and to ensure that everyone has the chance to be heard, to belong, and to thrive.

Head of Fundraising and Communications

Reports to: CEO

Location: Bristol / Hybrid (as agreed)

Hours: 21 hours per week (0.6 FTE / 3 days per week) Salary: £33,000 per annum (equivalent to £55,000 FTE)

Direct Reports: Individual Giving Manager, Grants Officer and Communications Officer

(or equivalent support)

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Fundraising and Communications is responsible for leading the development and delivery of an integrated fundraising and communications strategy that grows sustainable income, strengthens supporter engagement and increases the visibility and impact of the charity.

The postholder will lead all fundraising activity, oversee communications and brand development, and ensure the organisation is making effective use of digital tools, data and AI-enabled systems to maximise fundraising performance and operational efficiency.

As a member of the senior leadership team, the postholder will contribute to organisational planning, support the CEO and Trustees, and ensure fundraising and communications activities align with the charity's mission, values and strategic objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

-  Develop and implement an integrated fundraising and communications strategy.

-  Lead annual fundraising planning and income forecasting.

-  Establish and monitor key performance indicators and income targets.

-  Provide regular reports to the CEO and Board of Trustees.

-  Support organisational strategic planning and business development.

-  Identify opportunities for income growth and diversification.

Fundraising Leadership

-  Lead and oversee all fundraising activity across the organisation.

-  Drive growth in individual giving, trust and foundation income, legacy fundraising and

other appropriate income streams.

-  Develop annual fundraising plans and campaigns.

-  Monitor and manage fundraising pipelines and performance against agreed targets.

-Lead large grant applications and multi-year applications

-  Work closely with the CEO on major donor, philanthropic and strategic funding

opportunities.

-  Ensure robust supporter stewardship and donor retention practices.

Communications and Brand

-  Lead the organisation's communications strategy.

-  Oversee supporter communications, marketing campaigns, digital activity, media

engagement and storytelling.

-  Manage organisational messaging and external communications providers. Team Leadership

-  Line manage fundraising and communications staff.

-  Support staff development and wellbeing.

-  Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture.

Innovation, Digital and AI-Enabled Working

-  Lead the adoption of AI-enabled tools, automation and digital systems.

-  Identify opportunities to use technology to strengthen prospect research, donor stewardship, communications and reporting.

-  Ensure ethical and responsible use of AI and supporter data. PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Experience

-  Significant experience in charity fundraising.

-  Demonstrable success in securing income from multiple fundraising streams.

-  Experience of developing and delivering fundraising strategies.

-  Experience of managing staff, volunteers or external partners. Essential Knowledge

-  Individual giving and trust fundraising.

-  Fundraising regulation, GDPR and data protection.

-  AI, automation and digital tools.

Essential Skills

-  Excellent communication skills.

-  Strategic planning and organisational skills.

-  Data analysis and performance management.

-  Relationship-building and leadership skills. Personal Qualities

-  Strategic thinker.

-  Innovative and solution-focused.

-  Collaborative and adaptable.

-Committed to the organisation's missions and values