Trustee

 TRUSTEERECRUITMENT PACKDovenby HallCockermouth, CA13 0PNwww.cumbriafoundation.orgwww.cumbriafoundation.org2Cumbria Community Foundation (CCF) is proud to support hundreds of brilliant community groups, charities and individuals across the county each year. Our grants help tackle poverty, improve health andwellbeing, nurture community spirit and respond to the climate emergency.But we can’t do it alone – and that’s where you come in. As a registered charity, we are governed by aboard of trustees. We need committed, community-minded people from all walks of life to join our board. We’re seeking new trustees to offer guidance to the board and support the Foundation’s strategic aims.Our trustees are based all over Cumbria, like the communities we support. We’re particularly looking fornew board members based in West Cumbria or Furness.Each year, CCF distributes millions of pounds in grant funding on behalf of our donors and fundholders.Trustees are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Foundation, overseeing delivery of plansand supporting the senior leadership team. The board meets a minimum of four times a year with most trustees also serving on sub committees and/orgrants committees. New trustees based in either Furness or West Cumbria will be expected to join therelevant grants committee for their area. These normally meet four times a year - twice in person/hybridand twice online. Information about the role of a Grants Committee Member can be found at the back ofthis pack.We also hope our trustees will want to attend our supporter and member events, represent CCF at externalevents, and be an advocate for the work we do.COULD YOU BE OUR NEXT TRUSTEE? Help Shape a Stronger CumbriaIt's probably one of the best jobs I've ever done. The breadth of work thatthis community foundation does, the number of different donors that itsupports and the number of different groups it supports is phenomenal. Kevin Walsh, Vice Chair of Trustees, Cumbria Community FoundationShare your expertisewww.cumbriafoundation.org3Cumbria is a county of contrast. While many enjoy its beauty and strong sense of community, othersface deep and persistent challenges – from poverty and youth unemployment to poor mental health,rural isolation, and health inequalities. These issues often go unseen, but they are real and urgent.At Cumbria Community Foundation, we exist to tackle these challenges head on. We’re anindependent charity connecting people who care with causes that matter. Through the power ofphilanthropy, we help communities thrive by making life-changing grants to those working on theground.Our mission is simple: to improve lives and strengthen communities across Cumbria. We wanteveryone here to have the chance to lead a safe, healthy, and fulfilled life – no matter where theylive or the challenges they face.Since 1999, we’ve distributed more than £70 million in grants, supporting over 4,000 communitygroups and 8,000 individuals. We currently manage more than 100 grant making funds anddistribute around £6 million each year. Backed by more than £30 million in endowed assets, we aretrusted by our donors to ensure funds are used where they are needed most – reaching grassrootsprojects that make a real difference.Our strength lies in our local knowledge and strong partnerships. We work alongside funders,charities, community leaders, and people who live and work in the county to understand local needsand create solutions together that build a fairer, more resilient Cumbria. ABOUT CUMBRIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONImproving lives and strengthening communitieswww.cumbriafoundation.org4We’re looking for people to join our Trustee Board and also sit on one of our Grants Committees. Wewelcome people from all backgrounds and walks of lives. If you've worked in the charity, public orprivate sector, volunteered in your community, or faced challenges that connect you personally to thecauses we support, such as poverty, disability, rural isolation, or mental health challenges, we’d like tohear from you. What matters most is your commitment to making a difference in Cumbria.We’d especially welcome people with an understanding of the issues in our Grant Strategy andPriorities 2024–2028, including:Reducing poverty and supporting people with financial hardshipHelping people reach their potential through education, skills or employmentImproving health, including mental health and wellbeingTackling social inequality in all its formsNurturing strong communities, especially in rural or isolated areasActing on climate change and promoting sustainabilityWe’d love to hear from you if you:Have experience in areas including governance, operations, philanthropy and stakeholderengagementHave experience in areas such as community development, health and social care, ageing andsupport for older people, youth work, the voluntary sector, or environmental actionHave local knowledge of communities and the challenges they faceWill use your own expertise to provide effective oversight, guidance and support to help us achieveour strategic objectivesHave the time and commitment to attend board and grants committee meetings, reading papers inadvanceRespect confidentiality and will follow our Code of ConductWork collaboratively and are open to different viewpointsChampion our values of equity, fairness and community-led changeWe believe that great decisions come from diverse voices. To bring a broader range of experiences toour team, we’d particularly encourage applications from candidates who are LGBTQ+, black or brown.WHO WE’RE LOOKING FORThis post is a volunteer role so is not a paid position, but out-of-pocket expenses such as travel canbe claimed.Out-of-pocket expenses:We're looking at how to ensure that our board fully representsthe people of Cumbria and that will include people fromdifferent social economic backgrounds, different ethnicbackgrounds and different professional backgrounds so notjust the traditional people who would sit on boards.We want someone who is willing to challenge the way thingsare done, bring new thinking, perhaps be a bit radical andinnovative in how we bring income in, how we distribute it, howwe work with people on the ground.www.cumbriafoundation.org5HOW TO APPLYIf this sounds like something you’d enjoy, we’d be delighted to chat with you. Please get in touch foran informal conversation with Kevin Walsh, CCF Vice Chair of Trustees and Chair of the MainGrants Committee. There’s no obligation, and we’re happy to answer any questions.📧 Email: kevin.walsh601@outlook.com📞 Call: 07967 108803🌐 Visit: www.cumbriafoundation.org/about/vacancies/ Then if you wish to apply, please email an expression of interest and your CV tojames@cumbriafoundation.org by Friday 29 May 2026.SELECTION PROCESSShortlisted candidates will be invited for interview at our offices at Dovenby.It's been a great opportunity for me to develop my networks across Cumbria and beyond. It's awonderful team, everyone's friendly and supportive and it's a real opportunity to make animpact on the lives of people in Cumbria. Dr Suzanne Wilson, Cumbria Community Foundation trusteeINDUCTION If appointed, you’ll have induction meetings arranged by the CCF team, which will cover all appropriatepolicies and procedures.www.cumbriafoundation.org6www.cumbriafoundation.orgAPPENDIX Grants Committee Member role descriptionRole title: Grants Committee MemberFour Grants Committee meetings a year (approx. 2–3 hours per meeting) – meetingswill take place online, in person or hybridPreparation – reading grant papers in advance (approx. 2 hours), sent electronicallyAttend in person (one day)Meetings are held either online, in person (location dependent on committee area), or in a hybridformat, dependent on the geographical area of the committeeMain responsibilities:Review grant applications and background papers prepared by CCF’s Grants TeamAssess whether applications meet fund criteria, charitable purpose, and community needShare your knowledge, insights, or local understanding during discussionsHelp make decisions about whether to fund applications and at what levelProvide feedback and suggestions on grant making processes and prioritiesMaintain confidentiality and follow our Code of ConductDeclare any potential conflicts of interest and abstain from related decisionsResponsible to: Grants Committee ChairTime commitment:1) Minimum requirement:Annual Grants Committee Development/Training Day:2) Other opportunities:Grants Committee members are encouraged to join project visits and events which happenthroughout the year to develop their knowledge and understandingGrants Committee members may be offered the opportunity of volunteering on other committeesestablished in response to new programmes of work or emergency appeals, e.g. Flood AppealLocation: New Trustees appointed to represent West Cumbria or Furness willbe expected to also sit of the relevant Garnts Committee. Here issome information about what that entails.www.cumbriafoundation.org7Grants Committee members will be expected to:Have an understanding of issues that face      people and communities in CumbriaBring their own knowledge, experience or insight tosupport decision-makingBe able to read and consider grant applications fairly     and consistentlyKeep all discussions and information confidentialSkills, abilities and attributes required:Act in the best interests of the Foundation and not represent a specific      group or organisationTake part in discussions respectfully and be open to different viewsSupport decisions made by the group, even if they personally disagreeBe aware of unconscious bias and willing to reflect on their own and others' perspectivesTreat everyone with fairness, dignity and respect, and not discriminate in any wayFollow the Foundation’s Code of ConductAppointments will be for a term of three years with a maximum of three consecutive terms.Length of service and commitment:You will be supported by a Grants Officer who will provide training prior to attending aGrants Committee meeting. Training:Watch the video below or go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkilkOUnbVoFor more information: www.cumbriafoundation.orgOUR VALUES 6Cumbria Community Foundation’svalues are embedded in all of our work