Trustees to support movement building

What will you be doing?

Our trustees are hands on, and engaged in our movement work, our income plan and growth, and guide our long term strategy. In 2026 and beyond, we are anticipating that the trustees will help lead our plans to grow and expand the organization to keep pace with demand, and will review and develop the strategy and governance structures that will work for a growing organization.

We currently have a small Board of 4 trustees, and are now looking to recruit additional trustees. We would like to hear from candidates who share our passion and vision, and who can bring both energy and expertise to our new organisation. 

As a Movements Trust trustee, you will be taking on an important role at the charity, helping to set our strategic vision; overseeing governance and operations; and acting as an ambassador for our work. You will have the chance to assist in the growth of a new organisation, support the growth of our expanding family of movements, help our small team build and our reach expand. 

The Movements Trust welcomes applicants from all communities, backgrounds and locations, including outside of the UK, in order that we may reflect the diverse nature of the people benefiting from our work.  No previous trustee, Board or governance experience is required and we will provide support and training.

What are we looking for?

We are ideally looking for someone who has experience with the following, however please apply if you don't have experience in every area.

✔ Experience of being a member of a social movement, or campaign group

✔ A commitment to the aims, objectives and values of The Movement’s Trust

✔ The ability to analyse information and where necessary challenge constructively, demonstrating good independent judgement

✔ An understanding and acceptance of legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship

✔ The ability to work effectively as a member of a team and communicate effectively

✔ Ability to commit regular time to the role of trustee that includes meeting attendance, pre-reading and ad-hoc discussion/meetings. Currently we meet every month for an hour online and aim to meet in person at least once a year, in London.

✔ Experience that will assist in the development of TMT’s work - ideally at least one of the following

• Income generation experience across a range of donors/foundations/social investors and major donors
• Grant making experience
• Marketing and communications
• Good digital skills informed by awareness of cyber security, data protection and GDPR

Our Trustees’ Specific Duties are:

1. To ensure that the charity complies with its Memorandum and Articles of Association, Charity Law, Company Law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

2. To ensure that the charity pursues its charitable objects as defined in its Mem of Arts and applies its resources exclusively to the pursuance of those objectives. 

3. To contribute actively to the strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.

4. To safeguard the good name and values of the charity and the confidentiality of discussions.

5. To ensure that any possible conflicts of interest are declared and managed in an open and transparent manner.

6. To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity.

7. To ensure the financial stability of the charity.

8. To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds.

9. To appoint the executive officer and to monitor her/his performance.

10. In addition, each trustee should use any specific knowledge or experience she or he may have to help the Board of Trustees to reach sound decisions.

What difference will you make?

Right now, social movements and campaigners both in the UK and around the world, are growing in number, scale and scope. Movements bring unique powers to convene and mobilize people, and voice the concerns of communities and grassroots. We support movements working on environment, climate, poverty and democracy - all seeking to raise awareness, provide support and care, and tackle really challenging issues. 

However, many movements and campaign groups lack support and infrastructure, and whilst funders are increasingly realising the importance of social movements, many lack the ability to secure funding and face many barriers. For example, grant makers will often only fund registered charities.

Our trustees bring their strategic advice, diligence oversight and fundraising and growth ideas so that The Movements Trust can address the barriers faced by social movements.

Currently our services are - 

• Offering movements charitable (fiscal) sponsorship so movements can access funding and other support that requires a charity registration - in four years we have sponsored nearly £3.5m in funding
• Regranting on behalf of trusts and individuals to make small, trust based grants available to movements and in 2026 will be starting to make some small grants in our own right.
• Convening and connecting movements with each other and with other movement support services that will help them grow - we currently support over 200 movements and assess new applications every week

Before you apply

Please tell us why you would like to join The Movements Trust and contribute to our work, and how your skills meet the requirements in the skills and experience summary.  

The Movements Trust welcomes applicants from all communities, backgrounds and locations in order that we may reflect the diverse nature of the people benefiting from our work.  No previous trustee, Board or governance experience is required and we will provide support and training.

Please upload a concise CV and provide a cover note in the Your Message section of this application, telling us why you would like to join The Movements Trust and contribute to our work, and how your skills meet the requirements in the Person Specification above.

One of our current trustees is available for an informal discussion to support your application. Please visit our website to contact us if you would like to request this.