About the Organisation
Bertha Spaces is a social justice organization and network of physical spaces designed to convene, nurture, and connect activists, storytellers, artists, and community leaders. Our work spans urban community development, movement-building, and global social justice collaboration.
Our flagship community hub, Philippi Village, is located in the heart of Philippi and exists to support local economic participation, youth development, women’s empowerment, sport, greening initiatives, and community-led programming.
Our retreat and accelerator platform, Bertha Retreat, creates space for reflection, strategy, and connection for social justice organizations, while the Bertha Accelerator convenes filmmakers, activists, lawyers, and storytellers for intensive, network-building programs.
We are entering a critical next phase: transitioning parts of our model from primarily earned-income (tenant and event-based revenue) toward diversified funding partnerships that sustain and expand community and movement-building programs.
About the Job
Bertha Spaces is seeking a visionary and strategic Director of Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships to help lead the next phase of growth and sustainability across our network of social justice spaces. This role is designed for an entrepreneurial leader who understands how to build meaningful funding partnerships that strengthen community infrastructure and social justice movements. Working across Philippi Village, Bertha Retreat, and the Bertha Accelerator, the Director will play a critical role in transitioning our revenue model, securing long-term funding partnerships, and connecting funders to powerful community-led and movement-driven work.
This is not a generic fundraising role. In Year 1, the position will prioritize two interconnected mandates:
1. Philippi Village Revenue Transition & Partnership Strategy (Approx. 60% – Year 1 Focus)
The Director will lead the strategic shift of Philippi Village from a model heavily reliant on tenant rental and event income to a diversified funding ecosystem that includes:
• Institutional grants
• Corporate CSI partnerships
• Foundation and impact funding
• Programmatic sponsorships
• Strategic cross-sector partnerships
The goal is to secure sustainable funding to support and scale community programs that include:
• Youth development and children’s programming
• Women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship support
• Job-seeker and employability resources
• Sports development initiatives
• Urban greening and environmental programs
• Ongoing community engagement and activation of the space
This includes:
• Designing and executing a multi-year fundraising strategy specifically for Philippi Village.
• Identifying funders aligned with place-based community development and inclusive economic participation.
• Packaging community programs into fundable, outcome-driven initiatives.
• Building partnerships that bring not only funding, but also programming, expertise, and access.
• Working closely with the Philippi Village team to align funding strategy with operational realities and community needs.
• Supporting the transition toward a blended revenue model that protects affordability and access for the community.
2. Bertha Retreat & Accelerator Partnerships (Approx. 40% – Year 1 Focus)
The Director will also expand strategic partnerships and sponsorships for:
Bertha Retreat, Bertha House and Postane (a member space in Istanbul)
• Develop CSI partnerships that sponsor social justice organizations and community groups to access the retreat space in collaboration with Director Marketing, Communications and Sales.Grow relationships with corporate and philanthropic partners whose contributions subsidize access for under-resourced groups. (In collaboration with Director of Marketing, Comms & Sales)
• Position Bertha Retreat as a unique “third space” for reflection, strategy, and movement-building — while strengthening its commercial client base as part of a cross-subsidization model in collaboration with Director Marketing, Communications and Sales.
Bertha Accelerator
• Secure funding partners to sponsor participation of filmmakers, activists, lawyers, storytellers, and other groups in accelerator programs.
• Develop sponsorship models for themed accelerator cohorts.
• Cultivate international and local funders who want to support narrative change, social justice storytelling, and movement lawyering.
• Introduce new partners to the Bertha Retreat as a potential convening and hosting space.
The role requires someone who understands both philanthropic ecosystems and cross-sector partnership models, and who can connect funders to meaningful, place-based and movement-based impact.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Revenue Diversification
Develop and implement a targeted fundraising strategy centered on Philippi Village’s community programming and long-term sustainability.
Lead the evolution toward a diversified funding mix across Bertha Spaces.
Set annual revenue targets aligned with programmatic priorities and strategic growth.
Institutional & CSI Partnerships
Identify, cultivate, and secure funding from: South African and international foundations, Corporate CSI departments, Impact-aligned private sector partners, Bilateral and multilateral funders (where relevant)
Build multi-year funding relationships that provide stability and growth.
Program Packaging & Proposal Development
Translate community-based work into compelling funding propositions.
Lead high-quality proposal writing, budgeting collaboration, and donor reporting.
Ensure impact measurement frameworks support strong storytelling and accountability.
Cross-Space Synergy
Identify alignment and cross-funding opportunities between Philippi Village, Bertha Retreat, and Bertha Accelerator.
Create partnership pathways where funders may: Support community programs, Sponsor accelerator cohorts, Underwrite retreat access, Convene their own gatherings in the space
Visibility & External Engagement
Represent Bertha Spaces at funder convenings and partnership meetings.
Strengthen positioning of Philippi Village as a model for inclusive, community-led development.
Elevate Bertha Retreat as a unique social justice convening space.
Leadership & Collaboration
Serve on the senior leadership team.
Work closely with program leads to ensure fundraising aligns with community priorities.
Build systems for grant tracking, reporting, and institutional learning.
Support board and executive engagement in key donor relationships.
Requirements
At least 8–10 years of progressive experience in fundraising, partnerships, or resource mobilization.
Bachelor’s degree minimum, or equivalent qualification in fundraising, business administration, social sciences, marketing, or key account management.
Demonstrated success securing significant institutional, foundation, or CSI funding.
Experience working in community development, place-based initiatives, or social justice ecosystems strongly preferred.
Proven ability to transition or scale revenue models.
Strong proposal writing and relationship management skills.
Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build funding pipelines from the ground up.
Deep commitment to justice, equity, and community-led change.
Knowledge of the South African philanthropic and corporate CSI landscape highly advantageous.
To apply
To apply, email your application (completed AA bio form, one page motivation letter and updated CV [all in MS Word format]) by Sunday 29th March 2026 to tracy@actionappointments.co.za
