Help secure funding for the UK’s first county laureateship as a Grants Officer. Research opportunities, write compelling bids, and support our mission to bring poetry to communities across Surrey.
What will you be doing?
As a Grants Officer for the Surrey Poet Laureateship, you’ll play a vital role in helping secure the funding that powers our workshops, events, outreach programmes, and community initiatives across Surrey.
Your main responsibilities will include identifying relevant funding opportunities (from trusts, foundations, public bodies, and local authorities), writing persuasive funding applications, and helping us build a sustainable base of financial support for our growing work.
You’ll collaborate with the Treasurer and leadership team to understand the financial needs of our programmes and to align bids with our mission, goals, and values.
Key responsibilities include:
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute directly to the growth and resilience of a unique cultural organisation, enabling us to expand our impact through poetry and creative expression.
What are we looking for?
We’re looking for someone resourceful, detail-oriented, and passionate about supporting the arts and community development. You don’t need to be a professional fundraiser—we welcome anyone with strong writing skills and the initiative to research, craft, and track compelling funding applications.
Essential skills and qualities:
While this role can be carried out remotely, we encourage occasional visits to our HQ at the Literary Institute building in Egham, especially for key meetings or planning sessions.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds, particularly individuals who believe in the transformative power of poetry and want to help make a lasting difference in their community.
What difference will you make?
As a Grants Officer, you’ll be instrumental in securing the financial resources that make our work possible. Your research and writing will directly enable us to run more poetry workshops, host inclusive events, reach underrepresented voices, and expand our impact across Surrey.
By helping us access funding from trusts, foundations, and public bodies, you’ll empower a small, historic organisation to grow in ambition, reach, and resilience. Your contribution will ensure that the Surrey Poet Laureateship not only survives but thrives—bringing the power of poetry to the heart of every community we serve.
You’ll make it possible for creativity, expression, and connection to flourish where they’re needed most.
