Volunteer Join the Board of Trustees of The Ecology Centre - Fundraising Specialist

What will you be doing?

Like most charities, effective fundraising is the life-blood of the sustainability of our charity such that we can achieve our vision and mission. We are therefore looking for a dynamic and innovative fundraising specialist to join our Board of Trustees. As a proven fundraising specialist, you will work in collaboration with the Board of Trustees, General Manager and operational teams to design and implement an effective fundraising strategy for the charity. You will bring your knowledge and experience to ensure the charity has effective processes in place to execute successful fundraising campaigns (including grant writing and development and management of partnerships). In doing so, you will play a key role in helping to drive the present and future of the charity to achieve its objectives in the immediate and long term.   This is a voluntary role and, though we ask that Board members are able to devote approximately 3-5 hours per week to the charity’s work, we work in a respectful environment that is scalable to your individual circumstances.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for an individual with drive and passion that aligns with the purpose of our charity and who can help to support our strategic direction and commercial success with a skillset that complements those of our existing Trustees. We are looking for an individual with proven experience of executing successful fundraising campaigns, who can provide support with the following key areas:

Strategy development: Working with the Board of Trustees and General Manager to shape an effective fundraising strategy, fostering long-term sustainability and growth in line with our values Strategy execution: Support as necessary the process of fund identification and grant writing to secure key funds and grants for the charity Partnership Development: Targeted and strategic identification of partnerships to advance our goals and support to manage key stakeholders within our key funders People support: Providing expert advice as necessary to the General Manager and operational team to ensure alignment at all levels.

Previous experience in environmental and/or third sector roles is welcome but not necessary, and nor do we consider it a requirement that you have previous experience as part of a Board or Executive Committee. Most important to us, however, is having integrity, team-working ethic and a passion to help develop and grow our charity. Preference may be given to individuals who are connected to our community and can have a presence on-site, but we are open to fully remote working for this role. 

What difference will you make?

The Ecology Centre’s vision is to connect people and nature for the sustainable wellbeing of both. We aim to provide a welcoming, safe and green space for communities to connect with each other and celebrate the joy of nature. We foster connections between people and the environment through environmental education for all and provide benefit to community, health and wellbeing. You’ll work together with the Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers to ensure that the charity is environmentally and commercially sustainable and continues to have a positive impact on its local environment, people and society as a whole. You will help set the direction of the organisation, lead strategic and business planning, get involved with projects and get to know the people involved with the Centre and community. The Board of Trustees meet on the first Thursday evening of each month (or more frequently as appropriate) and, in between, are asked to progress agreed actions or react to circumstances as they arise to ensure the charity achieves its objectives under a solid leadership footing.