The Sir John Fisher Foundation is a grant-making charity in Barrow-in-Furness seeking up to two new trustees, including one with investment expertise.
The Sir John Fisher Foundation is a grant-making charity investing in organisations that serve needs and grow ambitions in the area around Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. We support charitable organisations which serve community needs and raise aspirations in the arts, music and education.
We are looking for up to two new trustees to join our board, one of whom should have investment expertise and be willing to join the Investment Committee.
A strategic review in 2023-24 reaffirmed our commitment to the local area and produced a clear geographic priority area for our support (available on our website.) We are currently piloting a core funding programme and improving our application process. The Foundation is a member of IVAR’s Open and Trusting Grantmakers initiative.
We have a reputation as a supportive, flexible and open funder and we are deeply rooted in the local area. We are striving to be a modern grant-maker and are always looking to improve the experience of applicants working with us.
As a Trustee, your role is to work with other trustees to set our strategic direction, oversee the effective running of the charity and participate in the Foundation’s grant-making decisions.
The following are considered desirable skills, knowledge and experience, which would add to our board, but which we will not be looking for in all candidates:
Previous board, trustee or grant-making experience is not necessary and we welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our board and particularly encourage applications from people of colour, and people with lived experience of issues faced in Barrow-in-Furness, as we want our board to be representative of our community.
This is an outstanding opportunity to deepen knowledge of philanthropy and the charity sector. Being a trustee of a grant-maker is a brilliant way to build or hone skills in strategy, governance, impact and charity finance. No two board meetings are the same.
As a trustee of a major local grant-making charity, you’ll make an impact by influencing how funds are distributed in the community. If you’ve worked for a charity or ever been on the other side of raising grant funding, this is a chance to improve the grant-making experience and understand how decisions are made from the other side of the table.
The Foundation has broad areas of interest within a defined geography; you’ll learn about community needs and meet diverse organisations from small voluntary groups to major national charities. We visit as many applicants as we can and encourage trustees to do so when available.
Our trustees have a range of backgrounds, skills and interests and take a collaborative approach to decision-making. You’ll be part of a dedicated, friendly team, always aiming to improve our practice.
We will ask shortlisted applicants to apply via a CV and cover letter.
