THE Dorset Community Foundation is looking younger and more diverse members who want to give back to the county to join its board of trustees.

The foundation, based in Poole, awards more than £1.3 million in grants to groups and individuals across Dorset, wants to recruit people with lived experience of working with grass roots charities and voluntary groups, or being helped by them, to bring a greater appreciation of what they need.

It is also looking for anyone with financial investment experience.

“We are fortunate to have a wide range of experience and knowledge in our board and they do a brilliant job in supporting the community foundation,” said chair, Tom Flood CBE. “But we are always looking to add to its experience and knowledge with a different type of trustee to what people might expect to see around a boardroom table.

“We’d like to see younger people applying, as well as applicants from some of the communities we fund because we’d like to benefit from the experience of people who have an understanding of the problems those communities face. We know there are people out there who want to give something back and have skills they can offer.”

He said grass roots community groups and charities still dealing with the aftermath of the cost of living crisis and rising demand for their services, are in greater need of support than ever before.

“That’s why we are looking for individuals who are energetic, committed and can demonstrate active engagement in their local communities and have a deep understanding of local issues and solutions,” he said.

The community foundation, one of 47 across the country, works with individual private donors, trusts and public bodies to connect them with the hundreds of small community groups working across the county.

Since, 2000 it has helped donors give more than £22m to groups and individuals.

Trustees are responsible for guiding the community foundation by setting its strategy, ensuring it complies with charity and financial rules, making sure it is financially secure and promoting its growth.

Mr Flood added: “Above all, they need to be passionate about Dorset and supporting the work of the voluntary sector. They need to be willing to speak their mind, think creatively, have good independent judgement but be able to work as part of a team.”

The board meets four times a year, though trustees are expected to sit on at least one of its sub-committees, which meet four or five times a year. Members can serve a maximum of two terms of three years.

For more about the role of trustees and how to apply, visit dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/vacancies, email admin@dorsetcf.org, or call 01202 670815.

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