Do you share our passion for championing the work of fundraisers? Do you want to be a part of shaping the future of fundraising as the most rewarding of careers, full of contribution and achievement?
Our Board of Trustees oversees our strategy, providing scrutiny, challenge and support for its overall approach. This year we are looking to elect three trustees to our Board of Trustees. We are also looking to select someone to join the Board as part of our new Young Fundraiser Trustee Apprentice Programme.
This year, we will be electing up to three trustees whose passion, skills and experience will help the Chartered Institute to deliver its priorities supporting, championing and celebrating fundraisers.
We are a member-led organisation with volunteers at the heart of what we do and we encourage all individual members to consider applying. Our Board needs to reflect the diversity that we represent in our membership, drawing from charities of all sizes and from across the UK.
We are committed to ensuring that the Trustee Board is balanced in terms of gender and reflects the diversity of the UK population as a whole in terms of ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation. Applications from people who will increase the current diversity of our Board are positively encouraged.
Information on our current Trustees can be found here.
All trustee applications must demonstrate that they meet the following essential criteria
- Ability to contribute to strategic decision-making, for example, experience of membership of a strategic board in an executive or non-executive capacity.
- Understanding the governance role of a trustee; candidates will be required to show their understanding of governance as different from executive roles, and have a strong desire to gain direct experience of governance through trusteeship.
- Experience of acting as a representative of an organisation, in informal as well as formal settings, an understanding of the values and mission of the Chartered Institute and the ability to put this across clearly and succinctly.
- Demonstrate an active commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Candidates should demonstrate a passion for Fundraising and be an advocate for the sector.
The time commitment comprises of four in-person Board meetings per year at our London office, an Away Day, attendance at our Fundraising Convention and AGM (virtual).
Trustees are also asked to sit on one governance sub-committee and on occasion, may be asked to represent the Chartered Institute at various events and meetings with key internal and external stakeholders.
Trustees will need to allow sufficient reading and preparation time for meetings and anticipate the total time commitment averaging approximately one day per month. All new Trustees will receive a comprehensive induction programme to support them in their role.
For full eligibility criteria and information on our trustee opportunities, please see the application pack below:
Trustee Election Application Pack
To apply for our trustee elections, please click here.
Our Board of Trustees are thrilled to be launching our new Young Fundraiser Trustee Apprentice Programme. This 12-month development programme is aimed at professional fundraisers under the age of 30 to gain experience of serving on a board. No experience of non-exec roles or governance is expected, instead a willingness to learn, participate and commitment of time is required.
As a CIOF trustee apprentice, you’ll receive
- Full trustee induction support alongside other new members of the board
- Training on core trustee duties and requirements to support you on your journey
- A mentor appointed from main board of trustees
- Opportunities to explore further areas of interest via governance committees
To apply, you will need to:
- be a professional fundraiser between the ages of aged 18-29 (applicants must be under 30 at the date of appointment, 25 September 2025)
- be a CIOF individual member or employed by an organisational member
- commit to attending four board meetings per year and four mentor meetings
- commit to allowing time to prepare for board meetings and mentor meetings
- commit to attending training modules on charity governance and charity finance
- confirm that their employer supports their participation (if not self-employed)
- commit to abiding by the CIOF Trustee Code of Conduct
For full eligibility criteria and information on our trustee opportunities, please see the application pack below:
Young Fundraiser Trustee Apprentice Application Pack
To apply for a trustee apprentice role, please click here.
The closing date for all applications is 17:00 on Monday 30th June 2025. We also welcome applications by video or audio file. For any questions on the roles or the processes, please contact Melissa Appel melissaa@ciof.org.uk