Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF) is looking for a fundraising consultant to drive income for our responsible business work.
Our Responsible Business Strategy
We encourage collaboration and harness data insights to promote responsible business practices and corporate transparency, enabling businesses to thrive whilst doing no harm. We use our networks and data intelligence to improve corporate transparency and strengthen labour rights. We work with businesses, investors, lawyers, civil society organisations and journalists to build understanding of how processes and decisions affect lives and livelihoods. Our work addresses issues from labour rights to the just transition to a greener economy.
Through our Workforce Disclosure Initiative (WDI), we are improving data and transparency on how businesses impact people in their operations and supply chains by engaging corporations and the investor community.
Launched in 2025 in partnership with UNESCO, our AI Company Data Initiative (AICDI) is now the world’s largest dataset on corporate AI adoption. We support businesses to map how they use AI across their workflows, operations and services, driving transparency so that AI is used in the public interest.
Purpose of the Consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide immediate capacity and strategic support to Responsible Business fundraising and partnership development across 2026; advance priority convenings and stakeholder engagement linked to WDI, AICDI and the wider Responsible Business portfolio; support the development of philanthropic and commercial income streams, including investor contributions and corporate training; conduct donor and partner research and early engagement to build a robust funding pipeline for 2027–28; and lay strong foundations that enable a future permanent Business Development postholder to hit the ground running.
Key Outputs & Deliverables
Research, analysis and planning:
- A concise market analysis identifying priority regions, funder segments, commercial income streams, giving trends and entry points for Responsible Business services, including WDI, AICDI, responsible AI training and wider social sustainability themes.
- A qualified fundraising and business development pipeline for 2027–28, informed by the market analysis, covering philanthropic donors, bilateral and multilateral funders, foundations, trusts, corporates, HNWIs, investor prospects and cross-pillar programme opportunities, with clear propositions for priority opportunities.
Strategic, written outputs:
- Tailored pitch decks, concept notes, proposals, renewal materials and briefing assets for senior priority audiences, including corporates, foundations, trusts, bilateral funders, HNWIs, investors and strategic partners.
- Investor-focused messaging, briefing assets and engagement materials supporting voluntary contributions to WDI and AICDI, alongside a practical plan to transition selected investor participants into donor or supporter relationships. Success metric: investor-to-donor engagement mechanism tested, with evidence of interest, barriers, recommended funding routes and next actions.
- Reusable fundraising, engagement and events assets that strengthen the visibility of the Responsible Business portfolio and support future donor, corporate, investor and partner conversations.
Two key events:
- A successfully delivered Responsible Business side session at Trust Conference 2026, including support on positioning, invitation strategy, senior participant engagement, briefing materials, follow-up and conversion into longer-term opportunities.
- A clear concept note or outline for a donor-focused Responsible Business convening in Bangkok in November 2026, including objectives, target audience, proposed format, strategic value for TRF and follow-up opportunities.
Commercial services:
- Business development support for the roll-out of Responsible Business commercial training, particularly responsible AI training for companies and non-executive directors, including lead identification, positioning and marketing opportunities.
- Identify commercial opportunities to monetise WDI and AICDI outputs to new and existing audiences and sectors through sponsorship and other innovative financing models
And finally:
- A concise handover note summarising progress, live opportunities, tested engagement mechanisms, outstanding actions and recommendations for the permanent Business Development postholder.
Consultant Profile and Key Experience
The consultant should bring a strong combination of strategic fundraising, business development, partnership building and responsible business expertise. Relevant experience should include:
- Recent, and significant fundraising, business development or partnership experience, ideally gained within an INGO, foundation, consultancy or mission-led organisation working on responsible business, ESG, human rights, sustainability or social impact.
- A successful track record of developing pipelines, shaping funder propositions and securing high-value philanthropic, institutional, corporate or commercial income.
- Established networks and the ability to engage confidently with senior representatives with relevant donors, foundations, trusts, corporates, investors, HNWIs and other stakeholders in the responsible business ecosystem.
- Up-to-date knowledge of fundraising and giving market trends, with the ability to translate market insight into practical opportunities aligned with TRF’s Responsible Business portfolio.
- Experience developing compelling pitch decks, concept notes, proposals, renewal materials and briefing assets for a range of senior audiences.
- Experience supporting high-level convenings, donor roundtables or multi-stakeholder events, including participant engagement, positioning, follow-up and conversion into longer-term opportunities.
- A pragmatic, delivery-oriented approach, with excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with programme, communications, finance and leadership teams.
- Familiarity with labour rights, just transition, human rights due diligence, responsible AI and/or wider social sustainability themes is highly desirable.
Time commitment
We are highly motivated to find a candidate that fits the consultant profile, as such as are flexible on time inputs between 15 and 30 hours per week for a fixed period of 6 months.
To apply
Please email your CV and a covering letter to [email protected], outlining how your skills and experience align with the Consultant Profile, along with your daily fee rate for a 6 month position. Applications should be submitted by Monday 13 July 2026.
