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BOARD OF DIRECTORS OPPORTUNITY

 Fighting Blindness Canada is seeking individuals to join our Board of Directors.

About Fighting Blindness Canada

Leading the fight against blindness, Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) is the largest charitable funder of vision research in Canada. Over our 50-year history, FBC has contributed critical funding for the development of sight-saving treatments and cures for blinding eye diseases. By raising funds, FBC is helping drive forward research that supports our goal of understanding why vision loss occurs, how it can be slowed and how sight can be restored.

Since Fighting Blindness Canada’s inception in 1974, over $42 million has gone towards over 280 research grants, leading to more than 800 discoveries in areas such as stem cell research, technological developments, pharmaceuticals and gene therapies.

Fighting Blindness Canada is also an invaluable resource for individuals and families impacted by blindness, providing accurate eye health information through our website and educational events, as well as engaging with government and other stakeholders to advance better vision health policies.

Over 1.2 million Canadians have a seeing disability that affects their daily life. More than 8 million Canadians have a blinding eye disease that put them at significant risk of losing their sight, this includes risk from inherited retinal diseases (i.e. retinitis pigmentosa),

age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetes related vision complications. Together, that’s 1 in 5 Canadians and has a cost of $32.9 billion annually which is expected to grow to $56 billion a year by 2050.

In 2025, we launched a new five year strategic plan, which included refreshed mission and vision statements and an intentional focus on the four blinding eye-diseases having the greatest impact on Canadians: inherited retinal disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Our Vision is end vision loss caused by blinding eye disease. Our Mission is to accelerate world-class research and providing expert information, advocacy and connection for everyone impacted by blinding eye disease.

Board of Directors Opportunity

Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Our Directors have included vision healthcare professionals, researchers, lawyers, and financial advisors.

FBC is seeking individuals to join the Board of Directors by June 2025. All new Directors will be expected to contribute seasoned leadership, community, business, and operational perspectives to FBC’s Board of Directors.

The Individual

As a prospective candidate, you are drawn to the organization’s bold mandate and are deeply committed to the mission of Fighting Blindness Canada. You are energized by the notion of leaving your mark in people’s lives and have a knack for seeing opportunities where others might see constraint. You are a recognized Canadian leader and are ready to support FBC and the broader community through facilitation, awareness-raising, and partnership-building.

Overall Expectations

The new Board Directors will be expected to:

• Support FBC’s mission, purpose, goals, policies, programs and fund development while knowing its strengths and needs.
• Provide oversight of FBC’s strategy and mission through regular review of the strategic plan, Board policies, and quarterly review of the financial
• Attend the quarterly meetings of the Board in person or on
• Serve actively on at least one task force and/or committees of the Board as requested by the Board Chair.
• Act as ambassadors of FBC to engage target
• Attend activities and events sponsored by FBC whenever
• Suggest possible nominees to the Board who are people of achievement and influence, and who can make significant contributions to the work of the Board and the progress of FBC.

Responsibilities and Duties

The responsibilities of a Director of the Board include:

• Ensure the integrity, efficiency and effectiveness of the Board at meetings according to the accepted rules of order.
• Encourage all members to participate in discussion and arrive at decisions in an orderly, timely, and democratic manner.
• Fulfill governance responsibilities including compliance with applicable laws and FBC’s by-laws.

• Demonstrate personal accountability at the Board
• Ensure the Board decisions and actions are in accordance with FBC’s vision, mission, goals, priorities, and values.
• Monitor and approve the organization’s financial planning, financial reports, the annual budget and work plan.
• Contribute, as appropriate, to the Board’s oversight of the President & CEO
• Ensure that any conflict-of-interest issues and other disputes are observed according to the by-laws and that any conflicts are identified and addressed in advance of any discussions on the matter.
• Play a leading role in fundraising activities, including making a personal donation commensurate with your ability to do so.
• Financially support one fundraising event per year that benefits FBC, which could include a ticket purchase, donation, or sponsorship.
• Ensure the policies and systems are in place for securing resources required by FBC.
• Ensure FBC maintains positive and productive relationships with donors and other organizations.
• Periodically support direct engagement with donors, when requested and appropriate. This activity could include thank-you calls and notes, attending cheque presentations or stewardship events that further support the ongoing fundraising efforts of FBC.
• Maintain an effective working relationship with other Board members and other officers of the Board to ensure the free flow of information among

Meetings

• Attend meetings held quarterly with agendas pre-
• Prepare for and participate in FBC’s Board meetings, scheduled committee meetings, and other appropriate activities.
• Ask timely and substantive questions at Board and Committee meetings, consistent with personal conscience, convictions, and ethics, while supporting the majority decision on issues decided by the Board.
• Maintain confidentiality of the Board’s
• Suggest agenda items for Board and Committee meetings to ensure that significant policy-related matters are addressed.

How to Apply

In order to apply, please submit a comprehensive CV along with a cover letter which sets out your interest in the role and encapsulates the aspects of your experience relevant to the required criteria. The preferred method of application is via email to the President & CEO, Jennifer Jones: [email protected]

Fighting Blindness Canada will respect the privacy and the confidentiality of the personal information provided to us.

Fighting Blindness Canada is an equal opportunity organization and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital or family status, disability, or any other characteristic protected under the human rights legislation.

We believe that a diversity of perspectives strengthens our work and enriches our community. We strive to ensure a respectful, inclusive space where everyone feels valued and supported.

Accommodations are available on request throughout the recruitment process to ensure an accessible experience for all candidates.