INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE MEMBER - FUNDRAISING

INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE MEMBER - FUNDRAISING ROLE DESCRIPTION

Responsible to

Chair of Fundraising Committee.

Direct reports

N/A

Working hours and contract

This is a voluntary role that consists of x4 Committee meetings per year, preparation for Committee meetings, attending workshops and events.

Salary

None.

Location

At present all remote.

This is a new and exciting voluntary opportunity.

We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated individual to serve on our new Fundraising Committee as a Fundraising Independent Committee Member. We are interested in candidates who have broad leadership experience in substantial fundraising operations, successfully generating annual voluntary income of more than 15 million pounds.

Our committees are a fundamental part of our governance structure, and members play a pivotal role in guiding our strategic direction, amplifying our impact, and ensuring the fulfilment of our mission to save sight and change lives.

Our committees are currently:

- Social Impact & Scientific Research Committee (SISR)

- Finance, Audit, Risk & Resources Committee (FARR)

- People Committee

- Fundraising Committee

- Retail Committee

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

- Provide mentorship and strategic guidance to the charity, aligning efforts with the mission and values of the organisation.

- Collaborate with other committee members, the executive team, and stakeholders to develop and implement long-term strategies that advance the charity’s impact and sustainability.

Governance

- Ensure effective governance, decision-making, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.

- Work closely with other committee members, fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, collaboration and open communication, harnessing different views and opinions.

Engagement

- Represent the charity, when possible, at public events and networking opportunities to promote our mission and raise awareness about our cause.

- Support the development of relationships with key stakeholders, including senior volunteers, high value donors, corporations, and the visually impaired community.

Evaluation and Accountability

- Collaborate with the committee to evaluate performance, ensuring alignment with the charity’s goals and objectives.

- Ensure the charity is accountable to donors and beneficiaries, that is financially robust and sustainable and has effective risk management in place.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

The ideal candidates will display a commitment to our cause, along with the following:

General attributes

Knowledge & experience

- An understanding of governance, and experience on a committee or board.

- Understanding of Fundraising Regulator, and compliance to GDPR law.

- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships with stakeholders, including donors, corporations and large institutional funders.

Skills & abilities

- Strategic thinking and the ability to contribute to long-term planning and vision to deliver impact.

- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.

- Entrepreneurial instincts and a healthy understanding of risk balanced with ambition using sound judgement.

- Evidence of improving supporter experience, digital integration and executing successful high value appeals.

Styles & behaviours

- High ethical standards and commitment to upholding the charity’s values, as well as a passion for advocating on behalf of individuals with, or at risk of, sight loss.

- Collaborative, highly inclusive, fostering trust and valuing difference perspectives.

- Solution-focused, with an ability to see the big picture and be pragmatic.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT:

Remuneration

This role is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although reasonable expenses may be claimed.

Time commitment

While the exact time commitment may vary based on the charity’s needs and priorities, we anticipate the following general expectations:

- Four committee meetings per year.

- Preparation for meetings, review of materials, and other engagement

as appropriate.

- Online meetings with the Director of Development, and Fundraising

Committee Chair as appropriate.

- Representing the charity at high profile events, functions and public

engagements to enhance its reputation and partnerships.

Location

At present, committee meetings are held remotely.

HOW TO APPLY:

If you have questions about the appointment and would find it helpful to have an informal conversation, please contact Jessica.Malcolm@fightforsight.org.uk and we will be happy to arrange a call with the Director of Development or Fundraising Committee Chair.

To make an application, please send your CV and a supporting statement (max two pages) to recruitment@fightforsight.org.uk outlining your motivation for applying and how you meet the attributes outlined in the personal specification including the specialist experience we are seeking.

We hope you will consider making an application. Together, we can put change in sight.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Fight for Sight we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workforce, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every item in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right

candidate for this or other roles that we have.

We have an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, including any adjustments required to support people from diverse community groups.

OTHER INFORMATION

We draw your attention to some important policies that govern the research that our charity funds. You can find these here.

WELCOME

Imagine being told that you, or someone you love is losing their sight. In these moments, two profound questions emerge:

• Can this be stopped? • How will I live my life?

The merger of Fight for Sight and Vision Foundation, which took place on 1st April 2023, enables us to address both questions. By combining our strengths and expertise and under our rebrand as a new Fight for Sight, we are now the only significant national funder with the efficiency, capability, and capacity to increase investment in medical research and social improvement. Together we can mitigate both the prevalence and impact of sight loss. We have a clear ambition; Save sight. Change lives.

We are now seeking independent committee members as we establish ourselves in our new form. This is an exciting inflection point for us, and our independent committee members will be hugely important in enabling us to achieve our ambition.

We have a clear focus and vision within our new five-year strategy, as well as a strong Board and senior leadership team, all of whom are ambitious for the potential impact we can make. Our re-brand enables us to amplify our position as a leader within the sight loss sector. Our merger was a critical step in accelerating research which will create a positive impact on the lives of millions of people. We do not want this opportunity to pass us by and that’s what makes these important and exciting roles for the right people.

As an independent committee member, you will have the opportunity to steer the course of our charity and our sector, shaping our strategies, and advocating for meaningful change. You will be help us be a driving force behind world leading scientific research into sight loss, and transformative initiatives that enhance the quality of life for everyone impacted by vision loss.

If you want to be part of something that will really make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

“I extend a heartfelt invitation to those who share our commitment to making a profound difference in the lives of individuals affected by sight loss. Our journey towards a future where eye diseases are prevented and the challenges faced by the visually impaired are overcome requires the collective effort of dedicated individuals. We are seeking people who are not only passionate advocates for our cause but also possess the vision, expertise, and dedication to guide our organisation. Your unique perspectives and skills will play a pivotal role in shaping and defining our impact for years to come.”

Dr Heather Giles, Chair

“Our two organisations came together to form a new dynamic, ambitious, entrepreneurial, impact-driven organisation to save sight and change lives. We are searching for people that can join us, and be at the forefront of creating the culture, the outlook and the methods of working and the operations to truly make a difference in society.”

Keith Valentine, CEO