Grants and Advisory Board: Chair and Board Members

Grants and Advisory Board: Chair and Board Members About Pride Community Foundation

Pride Community Foundation CIC (PCF) is a community interest company working for and by the LGBTQ+ community. We operate across three pillars: grant-making, platforming community voices through media and partnerships, and advocacy and policy. We are building an organisation that is transparent, community-led, and built to last.

Central to that ambition is independent, expert grant-making. That is why we are establishing the Grants and Advisory Board.

About the Grants and Advisory Board

The Grants and Advisory Board (GAB) is an independent advisory body that holds genuine authority over how PCF designs and delivers its grant programmes. Grant-making at PCF does not sit with the CEO or the Board of Directors. It sits with the GAB.

The GAB's first and most significant task is to design PCF's grants programme from scratch. This is an exciting founding role. Members will work within broad strategic priorities and budget set by the Board of Directors, but within those parameters, the GAB has creative and strategic ownership over how the programme is built and run.

GAB recommendations on grant programme design, delivery, and award decisions will be followed. The CEO may only set aside a recommendation in exceptional and documented circumstances, for example, where a legal or regulatory issue has come to light, where an organisation has breached the terms of a previous grant, or where a serious financial constraint requires a change of direction. This list is not exhaustive, but the threshold is high. Any such decision must be documented and shared in writing with the full Board of Directors.

The GAB consists of four voluntary members: one Chair and three board members. All are appointed by the Board of Directors. Members are not legal members of PCF and hold no executive authority.

About the Roles

We are recruiting for one Chair and three board member positions simultaneously. It is optional to specify which role you are applying for. We will assess all applications together and determine the best fit across the four seats during the shortlisting and interview process.

The Chair will be expected to:

• Lead and facilitate GAB meetings, ensuring they are productive, inclusive, and focused
• Act as the primary point of contact between the GAB and the CEO
• Drive the development of PCF's first grants programme with energy and innovation
• Ensure the GAB fulfils its responsibilities and that members are well supported in their roles

All board members, including the Chair, will be expected to:

• Contribute to the design of PCF's first full grants programme
• Review and make recommendations on grant delivery and award decisions
• Attend hybrid meetings approximately every two months (six per year)
• Prepare for meetings by reviewing relevant papers anddocuments in advance
• Declare any conflicts of interest and act in the best interests of the communities PCF serves
• Engage with community groups and stakeholders to inform grant priorities

Who We Are Looking For

We are building a complementary team of four people. No single applicant needs to meet every criterion below. What every applicant must have is LGBTQ+ lived experience. This is a requirement for all seats on the GAB. We are for and by the community, and our grant making must reflect that.

Across the four seats, we are looking for experience and expertise in the following areas:

• Grants or philanthropy - whether as a funder, programme designer, or evaluator
• The voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector
• Applying for grants in an LGBTQ+ context - understanding what it means to be on the other side of a funding decision
• Financial literacy specifically around grants budgets (at least one member)

For the Chair role specifically, we are looking for:

• Governance experience, whether in a formal board role or equivalent
• Community engagement and the ability to build trust across diverse groups
• Confidence to chair meetings and facilitate constructive, inclusive discussion

We actively welcome applications from people who:

• Have not previously served on a formal advisory board
• Are based anywhere in the UK - this role is not restricted to Brighton and Hove
• Bring intersectional perspectives within the LGBTQ+ community
• Face barriers to traditional governance roles - including disabled people, people from racialised communities, and those without formal qualifications. We want the best people for these roles, and were cognise that talent and experience do not always come with a conventional CV

Terms of Appointment Commitment

Members serve on a voluntary and unpaid basis. The role requires attendance at approximately six hybrid meetings per year, plus time for preparation and occasional ad hoc engagement between meetings.

Term

The initial appointment is for two years. Renewal will be discussed with each member six months before the end of their term.

Expenses

Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Support

All GAB members will receive a structured induction. The Board of Directors will offer peer support throughout the appointment. We are committed to ensuring members feel equipped and valued in their roles.

Conflicts of Interest

All applicants are asked to declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest as part of their application. This includes any relationship with organisations that may seek funding from PCF, or any other connection that could affect independent judgement.

How to Apply

To apply, please send the following to :

• A current CV
• A short introduction, either in video or written form, telling us who you are, why you are interested in this role and what you could contribute to the GAB

You do not need to submit a covering letter or specify whether you are applying for the Chair or a board member seat. We will make those assessments through the selection process.