Why you should become a charity Trustee: 4 inspiring reasons to get on board

We live and breathe the non-profit and charity sector at Philanthropy Company. Professionally speaking, we cover its length and breadth from museums to schools, hospitals to children’s charities, theatres to conservation trusts and everything in between. Our team brings decades of experience in fundraising strategy, grant applications, board development, and donor engagement.

Outside of work though, many of us are involved in a voluntary capacity with causes close to our hearts. I am proud to serve as a Trustee for my local Community Foundation and find it a hugely enriching experience. Heart of Bucks raises funds and distributes them to charities and community groups doing incredible things to improve lives at a hyper-local level. Impact is everything and being able to see the difference that the generosity of individuals and businesses makes to the area in which you live is incredibly rewarding. Indeed, working with organisations that quietly and determinedly tackle those unseen struggles and injustices is even more so.

Being a charity Trustee of a charity is a big responsibility: it requires time, thoughtfulness, rigour and energy. There are legal and ethical requirements to uphold and a duty of care to both donors and beneficiaries. But above all, there is so much to be gained from the experience. The charity sector is in constant need of new Trustees and talent on Boards and never before has there been a greater need to diversify the governing bodies of the sector in every possible respect to ensure we represent the public we serve inclusively and with authenticity (more on this matter in an excellent blog by my colleague Rebecca Williams.

You don’t need to be a professional fundraiser or captain of industry to make a good Trustee (helpful though those things might be!) and you might gain more from it than you expect.

Here are 4 reasons to throw your hat in the ring and become a Trustee:

1. Give something back through a charity Trustee role
Whether you bring professional skills, a deep knowledge of the charity’s cause or the ability to open doors to key influencers and donors, giving your time to a Board is an amazing way to give back to your community or to a cause that means something to you personally.

2. Develop skills and knowledge
Being a Trustee is a constant learning curve. Whether it is the complexities of charity governance, financial management or more about the issues and people your organisation serves, you will gain a wealth of new knowledge, enhancing your professional capacity, broadening your mind and attitude.

3. Be inspired by your fellow Trustees
The best Boards bring together individuals representing a range of backgrounds and motivations. It is an exciting chance to meet people from all walks of life who have a common desire to make things better for others, and to experience the humbling and uplifting stories of what your organisation is doing on the ground to drive positive change.

4. Make change happen
No charity can truly excel in achieving its mission without the time, knowledge and expertise of its voluntary leadership. Don’t underestimate what you have to offer; whilst not everyone is able to give substantial amounts of money, the gift of time and expertise can be priceless and you will not regret playing your part in making things happen.

If you lead a charity and would like advice on developing your Board or strengthening Trustee engagement to support fundraising we’d be pleased to support you. Please do get in touch – enquiries@philanthropycompany.co.uk