Overview
The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland is seeking a trustee with fundraising experience to join the board.
Poscity: Liscarroll, Area: Ireland; Closing Date: 28 October 2025. The Donkey Sanctuary (Ireland) Company Limited by Guarantee operates as a subsidiary of The Donkey Sanctuary UK charity group. Founded in 1987, the charity rescues, rehabilitates, and cares for neglected and abandoned donkeys and mules across Ireland. We have cared for over 5,700 donkeys and mules to date. More than 1,200 donkeys are currently in our care, with nearly 300 rehomed into Guardian Homes within the community. Our team of about 90 staff delivers care, education, and advocacy for donkey welfare across four farms in Liscarroll, County Cork, including a veterinary hospital and new arrivals unit and a head office and visitor centre.
Vision: A world where every donkey has a good quality of life.
Mission: Improving the lives of donkeys every day.
Board: Our trustees | The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland
Role
The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland is seeking a trustee with fundraising experience to join the board.
Role requirements and key responsibilities
* Charity Fundraising: The ideal candidate will have direct experience in charity fundraising. They will provide trusted opinion and support to the board fundraising activities, offering strategic insights on maximising efforts through innovative approaches and best practices.
* Governance and Compliance: Uphold best practices in charity governance and ensure compliance with relevant regulations. Trustees share collective responsibility for maintaining high standards of governance and leadership.
* Strategic Oversight: Contribute to the development and monitoring of the charity’s strategic direction.
* Resource Management: Support sound financial oversight, ensuring the charity’s resources are managed effectively and in line with agreed policies.
Skills and experience required
* Charity Fundraising Expertise: Proven experience in diverse fundraising strategies within the charity sector in Ireland, including grants, major donors, trusts/foundations, individual giving, and digital fundraising.
* Board Experience: Previous experience serving on a board or committee, or working closely with boards in an executive capacity, is advantageous.
* Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage effectively with stakeholders and fellow trustees.
* Time Commitment: Ability to commit sufficient time to attend board meetings and undertake follow-up responsibilities.
* Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated ability to think strategically and contribute to long-term planning.
* Commitment to Mission: A genuine passion for donkeys, and understanding of the vision and purpose of The Donkey Sanctuary.
* Values: Alignment with the charity’s values and ethos.
* Leadership: Proven leadership experience within an organisation of comparable scale.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland is committed to increasing the diversity of its Board to better reflect the communities it serves and to strengthen its governance. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
Charities Regulator’s General Duties of a Charity Trustee
* Comply with the charity’s governing document.
* Ensure the charity is complying with its charitable purpose for the public benefit.
* Act in the best interest of the charity.
* Act with reasonable care and skill.
* Manage the assets of your charity.
Board Meetings
The Board of Trustees typically convenes four times a year. Most meetings are conducted virtually via videoconference during standard business hours, with at least one meeting held in person each year at the organisation’s headquarters in Liscarroll, Co Cork, or in Dublin. Meetings usually last about 2.5 hours.
Other activities: The Country Manager hosts regular update meetings. Trustees may be invited to participate in additional events or training sessions as needed.
Remuneration
The role of trustee is voluntary and not remunerated, but reasonable travel and other expenses incurred as part of the role will be reimbursed in accordance with Charity Regulator guidance and the charity’s expenses policy.
To apply
Please send your CV and cover letter to:
Thora Mackey, Boardmatch Ireland
Closing date for applications: 17:00, 28 October 2025.
Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities
The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults) and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants may be Garda vetted where required. The Donkey Sanctuary is an equal opportunities employer.
The Donkey Sanctuary also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and, for relevant posts, may request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.
Note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.
Note to applicants: We look forward to receiving your application. Please complete in your own words and do not use an AI writing tool or assistant. Applications that are not the applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.
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