Edinburgh and Lothian Trust Fund (ELTF) is looking for two or three new Trustees to join our Board. Ideally, one of them will be able to fill the vacancy for Chair that will arise in November 2023.
About the Trust
ELTF is a grant making trust whose core aim is the relief of poverty. We provide small grants to individuals in need and grants to small local charities throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians. We also provide larger grants to individuals through the Edinburgh Fire Fund. In addition, we make grants on behalf of the Edinburgh Police Fund for Children. See https://www.eltf.org.uk/ for further information and a copy of our Annual Report and Accounts. In addition, in response to the economic impact of Coronavirus we provided short term crisis funding to individuals and families. In 2020-21, we distributed 1,596 grants through 90 agencies totalling £198,244.
The Trust has an investment portfolio of over £7m which is managed on its behalf by Investment Managers. Total income of around £250k annually is used to fund grant giving and meet overhead expenses.
The Board has a minimum of five Trustees and a maximum of nine. Trustees are appointed for an initial term of up to 4 years and may be re-appointed for a subsequent term of up to four years.
The role is voluntary and unpaid but we hope that working with ELTF will be a rewarding experience, helping to support vulnerable people in need.
Time Commitment
The Trustees meet four times a year to approve larger grant applications, to discuss and decide on policy, strategy and governance issues and to provide oversight of the Investment Manager that manages the investment portfolio. In addition, there may be one or two additional meetings on specific topics if the need arises. Between meetings, there will be a small amount of business conducted by email, perhaps once a month on average. The day to day operations of the Trust are managed by a full-time Administrator.
The Candidates
We are keen to improve the diversity of the Board so would especially welcome expressions of interest from individuals that would help us achieve this. The current membership of the Board can be seen on our website https://www.eltf.org.uk/trustees/ . We are looking for applicants who have a good understanding of issues relating to poverty and inequality, possibly but not necessarily, with first-hand experience of working with children and families in deprived circumstances, perhaps as a lawyer, social worker, health visitor, teacher or support worker in the public or charity sectors. Experience and understanding of grant-making and Board governance is desirable but not essential as training will be provided.
How to Apply
Please email the Chair of the Trust chair@eltf.co.uk with a CV including details of relevant experience. For further information or to arrange an informal discussion, please also send an email to this address.
Application Deadline: Monday 6 June 2022