Wits University International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser 2026: Philanthropy Job in Johannesburg 🇿🇦💼
Wits University International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser 2026: Philanthropy Job in Johannesburg 🇿🇦💼. The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) is recruiting an experienced:
💰 INTERNATIONAL TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS FUNDRAISER
to join its:
🏛️ DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
in:
📍 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA.
The role is aimed at an experienced fundraising professional who can identify compelling funding opportunities, cultivate relationships with national and international philanthropic organisations, and turn ambitious university initiatives into strong cases for:
💰 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT
🤝 FOUNDATION FUNDING
📑 GRANTS
and:
🌍 INTERNATIONAL DONOR SUPPORT.
Wits says it is looking for someone with strong experience in:
FUNDRAISING
PHILANTHROPY
PROPOSAL WRITING
DONOR MARKETS
and:
RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT.
The successful candidate will help secure investment for Wits’:
🔬 RESEARCH
🎓 EDUCATION
and:
🏛️ INSTITUTIONAL PRIORITIES.
Applications close on:
🚨 31 OCTOBER 2026.
The official Wits vacancies page lists the position as:
INTERNATIONAL TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS FUNDRAISER (AD07) (AD.07.4).
⚠️ Important Accuracy Note
Wits University currently has two separate fundraising vacancies in its Development Office with the same closing date:
1️⃣ International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser — AD07
and:
2️⃣ Transformational Gift Fundraiser — AD06.
The opportunity discussed in this article is specifically the:
✅ INTERNATIONAL TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS FUNDRAISER.
The official Wits vacancy page confirms that both roles close on:
31 OCTOBER 2026.
Applicants should therefore make sure they select the correct position in the Wits online recruitment system.
🇿🇦 Wits Fundraiser Vacancy 2026: Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | University of the Witwatersrand |
| Common Name | Wits University |
| Position | International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser |
| Grade | AD07 |
| Department | Development Office |
| Country | South Africa 🇿🇦 |
| Location | Johannesburg |
| Field | Fundraising / Philanthropy / Resource Mobilisation |
| Experience | Approximately 3–5 Years Relevant Experience |
| Main Focus | Trusts, Foundations & Philanthropic Organisations |
| Proposal Writing | Important |
| Donor Research | Important |
| Relationship Management | Essential |
| International Fundraising | Core Part of Role |
| Application Method | Online through Wits iRecruitment |
| Closing Date | October 31, 2026 |
| Status | Applications Open |
Wits’ official vacancies page lists the role under Support Vacancies in the Development Office.
🏛️ About Wits University
Wits University International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser 2026: Philanthropy Job in Johannesburg 🇿🇦💼
The University of the Witwatersrand, widely known as:
WITS UNIVERSITY,
is a major research-intensive university based in:
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA.
The institution works across:
🎓 TEACHING
🔬 RESEARCH
💡 INNOVATION
🏥 HEALTH
🌍 DEVELOPMENT
and:
🤝 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
Its Development and Fundraising Office plays a central role in building relationships with:
DONORS
ALUMNI
FOUNDATIONS
PHILANTHROPISTS
CORPORATIONS
and:
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS
to mobilise resources for university priorities.
Wits also operates fundraising teams and international representatives as part of its broader advancement structure.
💼 What Is the International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser Role?
The position is focused on identifying and securing funding from:
NATIONAL TRUSTS
INTERNATIONAL TRUSTS
FOUNDATIONS
and:
PHILANTHROPIC ORGANISATIONS.
According to Wits’ recruitment announcement, the successful candidate will help identify opportunities aligned with the University’s:
RESEARCH
EDUCATION
and:
INSTITUTIONAL PRIORITIES.
The role requires someone capable of combining:
🔎 DONOR RESEARCH
✍️ STRONG WRITING
🤝 RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT
💡 STRATEGIC THINKING
and:
💰 FUNDRAISING.
🔍 Identifying Funding Opportunities
A major responsibility is to:
RESEARCH
IDENTIFY
and:
ASSESS
national and international:
TRUSTS
FOUNDATIONS
and:
PHILANTHROPIC ORGANISATIONS
Wits University International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser 2026: Philanthropy Job in Johannesburg 🇿🇦💼
whose interests align with the University’s priorities.
This means the successful candidate should understand how to evaluate:
FUNDER PRIORITIES
GRANT PROGRAMMES
GEOGRAPHIC INTERESTS
SECTOR INTERESTS
and:
DONOR STRATEGY.
✍️ Proposal Development
Strong:
PROPOSAL-WRITING SKILLS
are central to the role.
Wits is looking for someone who can transform complex academic and institutional ideas into:
CLEAR
PERSUASIVE
and:
FUNDER-ALIGNED PROPOSALS.
This may involve working with:
🎓 ACADEMICS
🔬 RESEARCHERS
🏛️ UNIVERSITY LEADERS
and:
💼 DEVELOPMENT STAFF
to create compelling funding cases.
🤝 Building Relationships With Trusts and Foundations
The fundraiser will be expected to build and maintain relationships with:
TRUSTS
FOUNDATIONS
PHILANTHROPIC DECISION-MAKERS
and:
INTERNATIONAL DONORS.
Wits specifically highlights the value of candidates who already have:
AN ESTABLISHED NETWORK
within the trusts and foundations sector.
🌍 National and International Fundraising
This is not limited to South African funders.
The position involves identifying:
NATIONAL
and:
INTERNATIONAL
funding opportunities.
Applicants with experience navigating:
GLOBAL FOUNDATION FUNDING
INTERNATIONAL PHILANTHROPY
DONOR NETWORKS
and:
INSTITUTIONAL GRANTMAKING
may therefore be particularly relevant.
🎓 Supporting Research and Education
Funds raised through the Development Office may support Wits priorities across:
RESEARCH
EDUCATION
INNOVATION
SCHOLARSHIPS
INFRASTRUCTURE
and:
INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
Wits’ broader advancement and innovation ecosystem already uses philanthropic and donor support for initiatives such as research, innovation fellowships, seed funding, scholarships and infrastructure.
👥 Working With Senior University Leadership
Wits wants someone with the confidence to engage:
SENIOR ACADEMICS
UNIVERSITY LEADERS
Wits University International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser 2026: Philanthropy Job in Johannesburg 🇿🇦💼
and:
PHILANTHROPIC DECISION-MAKERS.
This requires strong:
PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT
COMMUNICATION
DIPLOMACY
and:
RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING SKILLS.
🎯 Who Should Consider Applying?
The role may suit professionals with experience in:
💰 FUNDRAISING
🌍 INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
🤝 PHILANTHROPY
📑 GRANT WRITING
🏛️ UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
📊 RESOURCE MOBILISATION
🏢 CORPORATE SOCIAL INVESTMENT
and:
🔎 DONOR RESEARCH.
Wits’ recruitment announcement describes the ideal candidate as someone with:
STRONG FUNDRAISING AND PHILANTHROPY EXPERIENCE
and a proven ability to secure significant funding.
⏳ Experience Requirement
Current indexed vacancy information indicates approximately:
3–5 YEARS OF RELEVANT FUNDRAISING OR RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE
is expected.
Experience within a:
UNIVERSITY
DONOR
PHILANTHROPIC
or:
COMPARABLE ENVIRONMENT
is particularly relevant.
🌐 Donor Market Knowledge
Applicants should understand:
DONOR LANDSCAPES
FOUNDATION FUNDING
PHILANTHROPIC TRENDS
and:
GRANTMAKING PRACTICES.
Wits specifically describes sound understanding of donor markets as one of the qualities it is seeking.
✍️ Writing Skills
Excellent proposal-writing ability is particularly important.
Applicants should ideally demonstrate experience developing:
FUNDING PROPOSALS
CONCEPT NOTES
CASES FOR SUPPORT
DONOR BRIEFINGS
and:
GRANT APPLICATIONS.
🤝 Relationship Management
Wits University International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser 2026: Philanthropy Job in Johannesburg 🇿🇦💼
Candidates should be able to:
IDENTIFY
CULTIVATE
ENGAGE
and:
STEWARDSHIP
relationships with institutional funders.
This role is not simply administrative grant writing.
It requires sustained engagement with external funders and internal stakeholders.
💰 Track Record of Funding Success
Wits says candidates with:
A TRACK RECORD OF SECURING SIGNIFICANT FUNDING
are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applicants should therefore quantify relevant achievements where possible.
For example:
Secured R10 million in multi-year philanthropic funding from international trusts and foundations.
or:
Developed successful proposals resulting in five institutional grants across education and research programmes.
🌍 Is This an International Job?
The position itself is based at:
📍 WITS UNIVERSITY IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA.
However, the fundraising portfolio has an:
INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION
because the successful candidate will research and cultivate:
INTERNATIONAL TRUSTS
and:
FOUNDATIONS.
💻 Is the Position Remote?
The official Wits vacancy listing identifies the role as a University position within the Development Office in Johannesburg.
It is not advertised by Wits as a:
❌ FULLY REMOTE JOB.
Applicants should therefore plan for a Johannesburg-based appointment unless Wits advises otherwise.
🌍 Can Applicants From Other African Countries Apply?
The public Wits announcement does not state a specific nationality restriction.
However, applicants from outside South Africa should not assume:
VISA
or:
WORK-PERMIT SPONSORSHIP
is automatically available.
International applicants should review the Wits recruitment system and South African employment requirements carefully before applying.
🇿🇼 Can Zimbabweans Apply?
Potentially:
✅ YES, SUBJECT TO WITS AND SOUTH AFRICAN EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS.
The public vacancy announcement does not state that the role is restricted only to South African nationals.
A Zimbabwean fundraising professional with relevant:
PHILANTHROPY EXPERIENCE
TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS NETWORKS
PROPOSAL-WRITING SKILLS
and:
DONOR RELATIONSHIP EXPERIENCE
may therefore consider applying.
Any work-authorisation requirements would still apply if selected.
💵 What Is the Salary?
The official public Wits vacancies page currently lists the:
JOB TITLE
DEPARTMENT
and:
CLOSING DATE
but does not publish a salary figure for this vacancy.
Therefore:
⚠️ DO NOT ADVERTISE AN UNVERIFIED
Wits University International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser 2026: Philanthropy Job in Johannesburg 🇿🇦💼
SALARY.
Applicants should consult the detailed Wits recruitment listing for any remuneration information provided during the application process.
📄 What Should Applicants Prepare?
Applicants should be ready to submit standard Wits recruitment documents such as:
✅ Updated CV
Highlight:
FUNDRAISING RESULTS
GRANT VALUE
DONOR RELATIONSHIPS
and:
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE.
✅ Motivation / Cover Letter
Explain your fit for:
TRUSTS
FOUNDATIONS
PHILANTHROPY
and:
HIGHER-EDUCATION FUNDRAISING.
✅ Qualifications
Include relevant academic or professional credentials required in the detailed vacancy.
✅ Evidence of Fundraising Success
Where appropriate, quantify:
GRANTS SECURED
DONOR PORTFOLIOS
PROPOSALS WON
and:
PARTNERSHIPS DEVELOPED.
📝 How to Apply for the Wits Fundraiser Vacancy 2026
Step 1 — Visit the Official Wits Vacancies Page
Go to the University’s official vacancy portal.
Step 2 — Find the Support Vacancy
Look for:
INTERNATIONAL TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS FUNDRAISER (AD07) (AD.07.4).
The role appears under:
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.
Step 3 — Open the iRecruitment Listing
External applicants are redirected from the Wits vacancy page to the University’s:
ONLINE RECRUITMENT SYSTEM.
Wits states that all external applications must be made:
ONLINE.
Step 4 — Create or Update Your Profile
New applicants can create an account through:
WITS iRECRUITMENT.
Step 5 — Tailor Your CV
Make your strongest evidence of:
TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS FUNDRAISING
INTERNATIONAL FUNDING
PROPOSAL WRITING
and:
DONOR ENGAGEMENT
easy to identify.
Step 6 — Submit Before the Deadline
Wits University International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser 2026: Philanthropy Job in Johannesburg 🇿🇦💼
Applications close on:
🚨 31 OCTOBER 2026.
📋 Application Checklist
Before applying, confirm that you have:
✅ Relevant Fundraising Experience
Approximately 3–5 years is indicated in current vacancy listings.
✅ Strong Proposal-Writing Skills
Essential.
✅ Knowledge of Trusts and Foundations
Important.
✅ Donor Market Understanding
Required for strong performance.
✅ Relationship-Management Skills
Essential.
✅ Experience Securing Funding
A strong advantage.
✅ Confidence With Senior Stakeholders
Important.
✅ Updated CV
Required.
✅ Application Submitted Online
Required.
✅ Deadline
October 31, 2026.
🎯 How to Strengthen Your Application
💰 Quantify Your Fundraising Record
Do not simply write:
“Responsible for fundraising.”
Instead, show:
AMOUNTS SECURED
NUMBER OF DONORS
SIZE OF PORTFOLIO
and:
TYPE OF FUNDING.
🌍 Highlight International Donor Experience
If you have worked with:
GLOBAL FOUNDATIONS
BILATERAL DONORS
PHILANTHROPIC TRUSTS
or:
INTERNATIONAL GRANTMAKERS,
make this clear.
✍️ Show Proposal-Writing Success
Explain how your writing translated into:
SUCCESSFUL GRANTS
or:
LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS.
🤝 Demonstrate Relationship Building
Fundraising at this level is about more than submitting applications.
Highlight your experience in:
CULTIVATION
DONOR MEETINGS
STEWARDSHIP
PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
and:
RENEWALS.
🎓 Understand Higher-Education Fundraising
Wits raises funds for:
RESEARCH
EDUCATION
and:
INSTITUTIONAL PRIORITIES.
Show that you can translate academic priorities into donor-friendly investment cases.
⚠️ Common Application Mistakes
Avoid:
- Applying for the wrong Wits fundraising vacancy
- Confusing AD07 with the Transformational Gift Fundraiser AD06 role
- Sending a generic fundraising CV
- Failing to quantify funding secured
- Failing to demonstrate trusts and foundations experience
- Ignoring international donor experience
- Writing vague statements about philanthropy
- Failing to show proposal-writing success
- Assuming the position is remote
- Inventing a salary figure
- Missing the October 31 deadline
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Wits University International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser 2026: Philanthropy Job in Johannesburg 🇿🇦💼
What fundraising role is Wits University recruiting for?
Wits is recruiting an:
INTERNATIONAL TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS FUNDRAISER (AD07).
Which department is recruiting?
The:
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.
Where is the role based?
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA.
What is the main purpose of the role?
To identify and cultivate national and international funding opportunities and secure philanthropic investment for:
RESEARCH
EDUCATION
and:
INSTITUTIONAL PRIORITIES.
How much experience is required?
Current vacancy listings indicate approximately:
3–5 YEARS OF RELEVANT FUNDRAISING OR RELATED EXPERIENCE.
Are proposal-writing skills important?
Yes.
Wits specifically highlights:
EXCELLENT PROPOSAL-WRITING SKILLS.
Do applicants need donor networks?
An established network in the:
TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS SECTOR
is a strong advantage.
Can international applicants apply?
The public announcement does not state a nationality restriction, but applicants must satisfy applicable Wits and South African employment requirements.
Can Zimbabweans apply?
Potentially yes, subject to relevant employment and work-authorisation requirements.
Is the role remote?
It is advertised as a Wits University vacancy in Johannesburg and is not presented as a fully remote position.
What is the salary?
A salary figure is not published on the main Wits vacancies page.
What is the deadline?
🚨 31 OCTOBER 2026.
🚀 Final Thoughts
Wits University International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser 2026: Philanthropy Job in Johannesburg 🇿🇦💼
Wits University International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser 2026: Philanthropy Job in Johannesburg 🇿🇦💼. The Wits University International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser 2026 vacancy is a strong opportunity for experienced professionals working in:
💰 FUNDRAISING
🤝 PHILANTHROPY
📑 GRANT WRITING
🌍 INTERNATIONAL DONOR RELATIONS
and:
🎓 HIGHER-EDUCATION ADVANCEMENT.
Wits is seeking someone who can identify national and international funding opportunities, build meaningful relationships with trusts and foundations, and develop compelling proposals that connect donor priorities with the University’s:
RESEARCH
EDUCATION
and:
INSTITUTIONAL AMBITIONS.
Candidates with:
✅ STRONG FUNDRAISING EXPERIENCE
✅ EXCELLENT PROPOSAL-WRITING SKILLS
✅ KNOWLEDGE OF DONOR MARKETS
✅ TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS NETWORKS
and:
✅ A TRACK RECORD OF SECURING SIGNIFICANT FUNDING
Wits University International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser 2026: Philanthropy Job in Johannesburg 🇿🇦💼
are particularly well aligned with the role.
Applications close on:
🚨 31 OCTOBER 2026.
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🔑 Key Details
Organisation: University of the Witwatersrand
Position: International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser
Grade: AD07
Department: Development Office
Country: South Africa 🇿🇦
Location: Johannesburg
Field: Fundraising / Philanthropy / Resource Mobilisation
Main Focus: National & International Trusts and Foundations
Experience: Approximately 3–5 Years Relevant Experience
Proposal Writing: Essential
Donor Market Knowledge: Important
Relationship Management: Essential
Salary: Not Published on Main Vacancy Page
Application Method: Online through Wits iRecruitment
Deadline: October 31, 2026
Status: Applications Open
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