Chair
Appointment Brief
May 2026
Welcome Letter
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in the role of Chair of UK Community Foundations.
UK Community Foundations (UKCF) exists to strengthen the collective impact of community foundations across the UK: organisations rooted in place, trusted by local communities, and uniquely positioned to connect philanthropy with real need. At a time when communities face increasingly complex and long-term challenges, our work matters more than ever.
Our current Chair is coming to the end of a successful term, having worked closely with the Board and executive team to create a strong platform for the future. We are now seeking a successor who can build on this momentum and help lead UKCF further forward.
As Chair, you would be joining the organisation at an important moment. UKCF has a clear and ambitious strategy for the coming years: to amplify community voice in national decision-making; to grow regional and place-based philanthropy; to support more effective, trust-based grant-making and local systems; and to help community foundations respond to both immediate pressures and long-term resilience challenges. Delivering this requires confident governance, strong partnerships and thoughtful public leadership.
The Board is committed, engaged, and values constructive challenge. We work in close partnership with a capable and purpose-driven executive team, led by the Chief Executive,
to ensure UK Community Foundations is well-governed, financially sustainable and purposeful in how it occupies its national role. The Chair plays a crucial part in setting tone and culture: supporting ambition while maintaining clarity on risk, accountability and impact.
This is a role of significant responsibility, one that carries influence across philanthropy, policy and public life. It is an opportunity to help shape how place-based philanthropy and community power are understood, valued and supported across the UK, by funders, by government, and by the wider public. We seek a Chair who brings sound judgement, integrity, and influence, alongside a strong commitment to inclusive leadership and public benefit.
If this resonates with you, I encourage you to explore the brief and consider applying. We are keen to hear from a diverse range of individuals who are motivated by the potential of communities and philanthropy working together, and who are excited by the prospect of stewarding UK Community Foundations through its next chapter.
Yours sincerely,
Leslie Rance Chair, Nominations and Governance Committee
About us
UK Community Foundations (UKCF) is the national membership body for community foundations across the UK. We exist to strengthen, support and champion community foundations as long‑term, place‑based funders rooted in local communities and committed to social justice, inclusion and sustainability. Community foundations are uniquely positioned to connect local insight, lived experience and trusted relationships with philanthropy, public funding and policy. Collectively, our network supports thousands of grassroots organisations and community groups in every part of the UK, responding both to immediate need and to long-term, structural challenges facing places. In the 50 years since the first community foundation was established in the UK, our members have collectively distributed over £2 billion to grassroots community groups.
UKCF’s role is enabling rather than directive: frontline delivery sits with local community foundations and the groups they fund, while we provide national leadership, coordination and representation. Our mission is to enable investment in communities to transform people’s lives — now and for generations to come. We do this by amplifying community voice in national decision-making, growing regional and place-based philanthropy, strengthening grant-making practice and convening effective local systems. Learning, partnership and insight run through everything we do.
UKCF’s current strategy reflects both the scale of opportunity and the complexity of the environment in which community foundations operate. We are increasingly working alongside government, national funders and professional advisers, helping to ensure that policy and investment decisions are informed by what is happening in communities on the ground. At the same time, we remain accountable to our members and focused on supporting a diverse network with different histories, capacities and local contexts.
Our values shape how we work: we are inclusive, relational and ambitious. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to ensuring that power, voice and resources are shared more fairly. We place a strong emphasis on trust-based, flexible funding; on relational ways of working; and on acting with integrity, clarity and respect in all our partnerships. Environmental stewardship and climate justice are also embedded in our approach, recognising the disproportionate impact of climate change on communities already facing disadvantage.
UKCF is governed by a Board that brings together elected member trustees and independent trustees, working in partnership with an executive team committed to high standards of governance, financial sustainability and organisational wellbeing. We are ambitious about our role and impact, while being realistic about capacity and risk. That balance - between confidence and humility, ambition and stewardship - is central to how we lead the organisation and support the wider community foundation movement.
Strategy
UK Community Foundations (UKCF) exists to strengthen the collective impact of community foundations across the UK, enabling investment in local people and organisations tackling the most pressing challenges facing communities.
Our 2026–2030 strategy positions UKCF as a trusted national leader, connector and advocate for place‑based philanthropy and community‑led change.
The strategy is structured around four interconnected strategic priorities:
1 2 3 4
Amplify community voice in policy making, ensuring grassroots insight informs national decisions and that community foundations are recognised as trusted sources of intelligence and influence.
Grow regional and place‑based philanthropy, strengthening relationships with funders, advisers and partners to increase the scale, equity and long-term impact of local giving.
Transform grant making and convene effective local systems, embedding flexible, trust-based and values-led approaches across the network, aligned with IVAR principles.
Foster resilient communities, supporting community foundations to respond to crises and long-term challenges such as climate change, inequality and economic shocks.
These priorities are underpinned by strong organisational enablers: collaborative strategic partnerships, a culture of continuous learning and development, robust use of data and insight to demonstrate impact, and high standards of governance, financial management and accountability. Together, they support UKCF’s ambition to be a credible, influential and sustainable national membership body, bridging local knowledge with national systems for lasting community benefit.
For an ambitious Chair, this is a moment of real opportunity. UKCF is operating at the intersection of philanthropy, policy and place, with growing visibility, credibility and convening power. The Chair will play a pivotal role in shaping how community voice is heard at the highest levels, stewarding relationships with government and major partners, and ensuring the organisation balances ambition with integrity and accountability. This is a role for someone motivated by the chance to help redefine how local insight influences national systems, and to leave a lasting contribution to the future of place-based giving and community-led change across the UK.
Finances
In recent years, UK Community Foundations has experienced a challenging period financially, with unrestricted general reserves at March 2025 below the Board’s target level of £250k, representing around three months of unrestricted operating expenditure. These financial challenges have been driven largely by a complex digital transformation
project. Subsequent post yearend income, careful cost control and active financial management have strengthened the organisation’s position in the last year and the Board approved a break-even budget for 2026/27. There is a clear strategic focus on rebuilding reserves, managing risk and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
UK Community Foundations is deeply committed to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in all aspects of our work and governance. We believe that inclusive leadership and diverse perspectives are essential to achieving our mission and to serving communities effectively across the UK.
UKCF works actively to eliminate discrimination and inequality, foster a culture of respect and inclusion, and ensure that people are treated fairly and valued for their individual contributions. We are committed to inclusive recruitment practices, equitable access to opportunities, and the
Governance
The Board is currently made up of 14 trustees, of which two thirds comprise representatives from the community foundation membership (including representation from each devolved nation), and one third comprise independent trustees.
The Board is supported by three Committees; both the Board and Committees meet quarterly:
• Nominations & Governance Committee
• Finance, Audit & Operations Committee (comprising a further Sub-Committee, the Community First Investment Committee)
• DiTA Steering Committee
removal of barriers that prevent individuals from participating fully. Our approach goes beyond legal compliance, embedding EDI principles into our policies, decision-making and everyday practice.
We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and particularly encourage candidates who bring lived experience, diverse perspectives and a strong commitment to inclusive leadership. As Board Chair, you will play a key role in championing EDI, supporting a positive culture, and ensuring that our Board reflects the communities we serve.
2026 Board meeting dates:
• 24th September (in person, London)
• 8th December (online)
• The AGM will be held on 4th November 20026 (online).
Organisation Chart
Role Description
The Chair will lead the Board in positioning UKCF as the authoritative national voice for place-based philanthropy and community-led action. This is a role that combines institutional stewardship with public leadership: shaping strategy, elevating profile, convening influence and ensuring the organisation operates with ambition, integrity and impact.
The Chair will work in close partnership with the Chief Executive to ensure UKCF is both a highperforming membership body and a confident national advocate: trusted by government, respected by funders, philanthropy advisors and visible in wider civic and cultural debates.
Above all, this is an opportunity to help define how local philanthropy and community power are understood and valued in the UK today.
We value diversity in all its forms and believe that a diverse Board provides stronger governance. We encourage applicants from a range of backgrounds, including those who may bring lived experience of the challenges community foundations strive to address.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership
• Lead the Board in stewarding its ambitious longterm strategy.
• Ensure UKCF is positioned as a confident, authoritative national body.
• Balance opportunity and risk in pursuit of sustainable impact.
2. Profile, Advocacy and Convening
• Champion the role of community foundations as essential civic infrastructure.
• Use personal credibility and networks to enhance UKCF’s reach and influence.
• Support the development of a compelling narrative about the role of community foundations.
• Act as senior ambassador and spokesperson when appropriate.
3. Board Leadership and Governance
• Foster a high-performing, strategically focused Board culture, aligned to UKCF values.
• Ensure robust governance, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Lead succession planning & development to maintain breadth and diversity of expertise.
4. Partnership with the Chief Executive
• Build a strong, trusted and constructive relationship with the CEO.
• Provide support and challenge in equal measure.
• Ensure clarity of accountability for delivery against agreed priorities.
5. Financial Stewardship and Performance
• Oversee long-term financial sustainability and risk management.
• Ensure oversight of resource allocation in service of strategic ambition.
• Ensure performance and impact are rigorously monitored and clearly articulated.
Person Specification
We are seeking a Chair who brings credibility, judgement and influence at scale, alongside a deep commitment to the values underpinning community philanthropy.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Strategic Judgement and Institutional Leadership
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to navigate complexity and long-term risk.
• Sound judgement and political acuity, particularly in high-profile or sensitive contexts.
• Experience of leadership at Board or equivalent senior level, with a clear understanding of good governance.
Collaborative and Inclusive Leadership
• An inclusive, collegiate leadership style that fosters trust, constructive challenge and collective ownership.
• The confidence to both support and rigorously challenge executive leadership.
• Excellent chairing, facilitation and communication skills.
Credibility and Influence
• Personal credibility and networks that can enhance UKCF’s visibility and influence.
• The ability to act as a persuasive advocate and ambassador across sectors.
• Track record of profile building and influencing at the national level.
Values and Culture
• High integrity and a strong commitment to organisational values and public benefit.
• A clear commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and to fostering a positive, high performing culture.
Sector Understanding
• Experience of membership organisations, federated structures or umbrella bodies would be advantageous.
• An understanding of community foundations, civil society or place-based philanthropy would be welcome, though not essential.
Time Commitment
The role requires attendance at quarterly Board meetings, two of which take place in person, two virtually. In addition, there will be attendance at key events, regular engagement with the Chief Executive, and preparation time. Additional time may be required for stakeholder engagement, governance matters, or organisational priorities.
The expected monthly time commitment would average at three days per month.
Terms
Appointments are for an initial three-year term, and trustees can serve for a maximum of two terms.
This is a voluntary role, but reasonable expenses can be claimed.
How to Apply
To apply for the role, please upload your CV together with a supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) onto the Prospectus website via the link.
For guidance on formulating your Supporting Statement, please review our guide here .
Please ensure that you have included a telephone number, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the recruitment timetable.
If you wish to apply using an alternative format please contact Prospectus on 020 7691 1920 or email executive.admin@prospect-us.co.uk
Applications via the Prospectus website should be made at: https://prospect-us.co.uk/job/194336
At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website. Please be assured that your responses are kept confidential, separate from your candidate record, are not part of any application you make, and that the consultants never see individual responses to the questionnaire.
Recruitment timetable
Deadline for applications: Tuesday 2nd June 2026
Interviews with Prospectus: w/c 8th June 2026
Engagement sessions with UKCF’s stakeholders: w/c 15th June 2026
Interviews with UK Community Foundations: w/c 22nd June 2026
Queries
If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained advisors Anna Gardet or Tammy Stewart at Prospectus on 020 7691 1920, or email:
Anna.Gardet@prospect-us.co.uk
Tammy.Stewart@prospect-us.co.uk
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