Co-opted Trustee (Fundraising)

Who are we?

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”

Our Trustees play an integral part in the services we provide and the people we support. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you will really make a difference, then join us as a co-opted Trustee and provide specialist advice and support for our fundraising activities.

The Board of Rethink Mental Illness, charity number 271028, comprises the Chair, eight Regional Trustees and up to seven co-opted Trustees.  Regional Trustees are experts by experience (people severely affected by mental illness, carers and relatives).  Co-opted Trustees are appointed for their specific skills as required.  For example, skills in Fundraising, Business Development, Accountancy, ICT.

About the role

Key responsibilities

1. To hold the charity "in trust" for current and future beneficiaries by:
   1. Ensuring the charity has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these.
   2. Being responsible for the performance of the charity and for its culture.
   3. Ensuring that the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
   4. Acting as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application.
   5. Ensuring the charity's governance is of the highest possible standard.

Specifics for a Trustee with Fundraising Experience

The Fundraising Team works across Rethink Mental Illness and our partner charity Mental Health UK and comprises around 30 fundraisers led by the Director of Fundraising.  The Trustee role will focus on Rethink fundraising activity only, although it will have oversight of fundraising for both charities. The team works across a diverse portfolio of income streams including Events, Community, Individual Giving and Legacies, Corporate Partnerships, Philanthropy and Trusts and Grants raising nearly £7million across both charities. 

The Fundraising Team has gone through a significant period of change to set the foundations for growth and has embarked on a new 5-year strategy aligned with our organisational strategy. Currently in year 2, the team’s focus is building pipelines, optimising supporter journeys, building relationships with strategic partners and developing new products for a mass market. 

We are looking for someone who is working or has worked at Director of Fundraising level who:

• Has experience of leading Fundraising Teams and overseeing fundraising strategy and governance - to help strengthen the Board’s knowledge and understanding of Fundraising and work with Director of Fundraising to maximise organisational buy-in. Has delivered transformational change within an organisation to shift outlook to a Fundraising first approach.
• Has experience across a diverse range of income streams and therefore can advise Director of Fundraising / Fundraising Team on new income streams and the amplification of opportunities. Knowledge of Capital Appeal fundraising would be beneficial as we would like to launch Rethink’s first Capital Appeal in next couple of years.
• Can support and champion all Fundraising activities including attending events, meetings with high-value supporters etc.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please register your interest!