Volunteer Board Member with Fundraising Experience

What will you be doing?

The Quay Theatre is a charming, friendly theatre seating around 125 in a spectacular former warehouse built in 1790 and which is a Grade 2 Listed Building.  The registered charity is run by a Board of Directors (Trustees), currently with 8 members, several who have been recruited for their specific skills - but none have any real knowledge of where to go and how to obtain grants and funding.. The Board appointment carries no financial reward but the personal satisfaction of seeing the theatre evolve makes it all worth it!  The work supports the existing team of employees and volunteers and will assist the Board in making more complex strategic decisions for the long term viability of the charity. We are looking for someone who has some fundraising experience which will assist the Board in making more informed decisions and to formulate a strategic plan for the maintenance and repair of the buildings, employment of staff and extending the services to a wider audience including children and youngsters and the less fortunate. The role will encompass identifying projects, making applications and ensuring that we meet any other requirements of funders.  However, it is not anticipated that this will involve a mass of applications but probably more complex ones e.g. we have to renew a lintel over the front door and redesign the entrance doors which is going to need funding from larger donors such as Heritage Lottery Fund. This person will be able to help with drafting applications in the most attractive way and have a reasonable knowledge of the various 'pots' that are on offer for specific projects. We hold approx 6-weekly Board Meetings in an evening and a couple of strategy/planning meetings in the year and, when required, there may be a few sub-committee type meetings – and putting in an appearance at the theatre is always good for the staff and fun for the Board members.

What are we looking for?

Experience of making applications for grants and funds for various purposes Knowledge of the funding sector and where to go for such grants and funding Communication skills - both verbal and written Administration skills to create and run a fundraising project Team-player - to fit in with the rest of the Board and the employees of the theatre Time management to ensure that what has to be done, is done!      

What difference will you make?

The Charity has had to undertake a lot of work to maintain the buildings and to extend its services.  Being a small theatre, there is little by way of surplus to do this and so it relies on grants.  However, in the past we have been very lax in making such applications, mainly due (up until now) not having a clear strategy about what we want to do and costing it.  When we have obtained a grant, it has been by using an external service who charge 20% of the sum raised. Having someone who can help us with this aspect will ensure that we achieve our goals for the building and our artistic ones as well and keep all of any monies raised.