Vacancies

About us

Dorset Community Foundation is a charity which was founded on 14 June 2000. It links private and public funders with small community projects across Dorset. It is an accredited member of UK Community Foundations, a national association which promotes and supports 46 Community Foundations across the country.

We work with individuals, companies and other organisations to assist in delivering their charitable aims, and develop longer-term strategic giving programmes. This work enables us to distribute grant funding to Dorset based community groups and charities that provide services and support to people and communities within Bournemouth, Poole and across Dorset.

A small team of four full time and one part time members, we focus primarily on managing existing grant programmes, working closely with our fund holders and groups that need support as well as raising funds for future funding programmes.

Since 2000, the Foundation has grown from being a fledgling organisation to one that is firmly at the heart of community life in Dorset awarding millions of pounds during this time. Through its grant making and fundraising we have made a significant contribution to the lives of some of the county’s most disadvantaged people.

The Coronavirus emergency created a huge demand for support from hundreds of charities and groups, both established and emerging. Within days of the lock-down starting we set up our Coronavirus Community Fund and corresponding appeal which attracted donations from local companies, generous local individuals, charitable trusts and national funders and as a result we were able to award £1.5m in 2020. We have never been more relevant, acting fast and responding when Dorset needs it most.

Trustee Role Description

Overall Purpose

The Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the Dorset Community Foundation; developing the Foundation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines.

Main Responsibilities

• To ensure that the Dorset Community Foundation and its representatives function within the legal and regulatory framework of the sector and in line with the Foundation’s governing documents, continually striving for best practice in governance.
• To uphold the fiduciary duty invested in the position, undertaking such duties in a way that adds to public confidence and trust in the Dorset Community Foundation.
• To determine the overall direction and development of the Dorset Community Foundation through good governance and clear strategic planning. Main Duties
• Ensuring the Dorset Community Foundation complies with legislative and regulatory requirements, and acts within the confines of its governing document and in furtherance to organisational activities contained therein.
• Acting in the best interest of the Dorset Community Foundation, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times.
• Promoting and developing the Dorset Community Foundation in order for it to grow and maintain its relevance to society.
• Maintaining sound financial management of the Dorset Community Foundation’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with the Foundation’s objects, and investment activities meet accepted standards and policies.
• Interviewing, appointment and monitoring the work and activities of the senior paid staff.
• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the Dorset Community Foundation and its resources, striving for best practice in good governance.
• Acting as a counter-signatory on cheques and any applications for funds, if appropriate.
• To maintain absolute confidentiality about all sensitive/confidential information received in the course of the Trustee’s responsibilities to the Dorset Community Foundation.

Accountable to

As the board are responsible and liable for the governance and functioning of the charity, they are accountable in varying degrees to a variety of stakeholders, including (but not limited to) service users, funders, the Charity Commission and Companies House. Close attention must be given to the governing document to ascertain the type of organisational structure and the range of interested parties.

Person Specification

• Integrity
• The ability to think strategically and see the bigger picture
• A commitment to the charity
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as a Trustee
• Good independent judgement
• An ability to think creatively
• A willingness to speak their mind
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team

The Board of Trustees needs overall skills and experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Financial – experience in either wealth management or accountancy or in managing budget
• Legal – Any experience in charity law, HR law
• Grant making/assessing

The Charity is committed to achieving equality of opportunity in both services to the community and the employment of people and expects all employees to understand and promote its policies in its work. As with all positions, this role outline will be kept under review and may develop to meet the changing needs of the service.