Somerset Community Foundation
Trustee opportunities (3 roles available)
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Will you lend your time, insight and expertise to change the world on your doorstep?
Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) helps passionate people in Somerset change the world on their doorstep by funding local charities and inspiring local giving and philanthropy.
We provide rewarding and impactful ways for donors to give to the people, places and causes they care most about in Somerset. Working with individuals, businesses and public sector partners, we’re the largest independent funder of local communities in our county.
Since we were founded in 2002, we’ve awarded almost £40 million in funding to thousands of local charities and social enterprises, and hundreds of individuals, building stronger communities and changing thousands of people’s lives across Somerset.
We’re building our Board of Trustees to provide us with the skills and expertise we need to sustain the highest standards of governance, while reflecting the diversity and expertise of the communities we work with.
The opportunities
We have vacancies for 3 roles on our Board to bring skills, insights, expertise and experience to further our work in Somerset.
In each of these roles we’re looking for people that are supportive of our role and our work while bringing fresh insights and perspectives. That is why we welcome applications from members of diverse communities or backgrounds, including young people, and those who bring lived experience or knowledge of activities undertaken in the programmes we fund.
In addition, if you feel you have lived experience that could help us in our mission, even if it does not match the roles we have set out here, we would be very interested in hearing from you.
Our current opportunities are:
1. Hinkley Point C (HPC) Community Fund Panel Member
The HPC Community Fund is our largest programme and has reached a pivotal moment. We’re looking for someone who can join this panel as an SCF Trustee, bringing practical experience and/or strong advocacy of working in or with grassroots community organisations or in community development.
You’ll be involved in awarding over several million pounds of vital funding to hundreds of charities, community groups and social enterprises in the coming years. You do not have to live in the area around the HPC development, but some local knowledge of the area would be useful.
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2. Professional Adviser Lead
Working with professional advisers – financial planners, private client solicitors and accountants – is one of the most effective ways we can reach people with the means and passion to support good causes in Somerset.
We want to be the ‘go-to’ option for local professionals when their clients ask about charitable giving and we’re looking for a Trustee who understands this world to help us hone our messaging, develop new routes to reach more advisers across the county, and, if they can, use their own experience and networks to help us meet the right people in local firms.
3. Sustainable Futures Champion
As you’ll see in our Strong Roots, Shared Futures strategy, we’re committed to building a Community Foundation that not only creates an impact today, but is capable of growing its impact for future generations.
We’re seeking a Trustee that can bring thought leadership to our Board to develop our thinking, shape our charity and influence our work. We know there are no easy answers or quick solutions, but equally we know the decisions we make today can have long-term impacts for our charity and the communities we serve today.
Please visit our website and download the recruitment pack for full details of each opportunity.
Who we’re looking for
As a Trustee you’ll:
- have strong links with Somerset, though you do not have to live in the county
- support and promote the Foundation’s mission
- be able to give the time commitment to carry out the role effectively.
You’ll share our passion for Somerset and have the range of skills and experience needed to support the delivery of our mission. As far as you’re able, you’ll use your contacts and networks to support the development and growth of the Foundation.
Our commitment to you
We’re looking for people who may be considering taking their first step in a trustee role or may have been involved with trusteeships previously. Our staff and existing Trustees will provide opportunities to grow and learn as part of the role, and we’ll provide training and mentoring as required.
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As a member of our Board, we’ll provide:
- a thorough induction and ongoing opportunities to grow and learn through the role
- opportunities to shape the direction of the charity
- opportunities to meet and spend time with people from a variety of different backgrounds
- opportunities to see the impact our funding makes in the hands of local organisations
- expenses to cover items such as travel and childcare to enable you to fulfil your role.
Your commitment
Our Board of Trustees has an essential role in ensuring the success of the Foundation and are responsible for ensuring that:
- the Foundation carries out our charitable purposes and complies with our legal and regulatory obligations
- the Foundation’s resources are applied responsibly
- the Foundation is accountable for its actions.
As a rough guide, and depending on your role, you may need to commit typically 2 days a month to prepare for and attend meetings and support the Foundation. Trustees are appointed for up to 3 terms of 3 years.
While a Trustee is a voluntary position, reasonable expenses will be covered by the Foundation. This may include travel expenses or the costs of childcare or other caring responsibilities to enable you to attend SCF meetings.
How to apply
Send us a CV or similar outlining your experience and skills with a covering letter explaining how you would use your knowledge to help the Foundation and why you’d love to join our Board. Please send this by email to: apply@somersetcf.org.uk
Closing date: Wednesday 22 July at noon.
Interview dates (preferably in person): Friday 14 August, Tuesday 18 August or Friday 21 August (to be confirmed after applying).
Appointment to take place at SCF’s Annual General Meeting: Friday 16 October.
If you’d like to have a chat with us about the role, please email info@somersetcf.org.uk to book a time to speak with either our CEO, Justin Sargent, or the Chair of our Trustee Search Committee, Amanda Ellingworth (about life as an SCF Trustee).
Visit our website to download the full recruitment pack for detailed information about the roles and how to apply.
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