Trustees at Bristol Legacy Foundation

About Our Board
The BLF’s board currently consists of three African heritage women working in Bristol’s racial justice sector for over 30 years. They work collaboratively to:

• Provide strategic oversight and governance across people, finance, delivery and compliance.
• Support the Operations Manager with seeking and applying to funding opportunities.
• Supervise the Operations Manager and Curator.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders and funders.
• Lead on organisational development and growing the capacity of the organisation.
• Update the BLF members and partners on our activities.
• Oversee the financial management of the organisation.

This is a 3 year appointment, unremunerated with reasonable expenses covered.

The Board members are responsible for ensuring BLF is meeting its responsibilities as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation through delivering our charitable objectives.

We are seeking board members who, as well as having many mainstream skills, knowledge and experience, are in as many ways as possible, aligned with our vision and values that require us to have an understanding of African reparatory justice and a vision for how to build knowledge and capacity in African Heritage Communities to empower them to lead their own journeys of repair.

Interested individuals must be able to articulate what legacy means to them in the context of the BLF’s work, and be a strong advocate for centring the voices of African Heritage Communities in this work which seeks to engage with others to implement the four resolutions of the Atonement and Reparations Motion (2021) and the 14 recommendations of the Project T.RU.T.H Report (2022).

About You
We welcome applications from individuals with an in-depth understanding of African heritage with skills and track records in a number of areas:

• Utilising indigenous African knowledge, values and practice as a counter to eurocentrism
• Experience of being part of bringing about community transformation through community’s own efforts
• Business development and income generation for non profits
• Financial analysis and reporting skills
• Legal knowledge
• Marketing knowledge (including leveraging social media)
• Heritage/Cultural/Arts/Curation from African/indigenous perspectives
• Broad strategic knowledge of the VCSE sector
• Knowledge and experience of the racial justice and reparatory justice landscapes, local and global
• Strong local connections to Bristol’s AHC

Equity and Justice

BLF is committed to ensuring our governing body reflects the range within African Heritage communities who, irrespective of age, sexual identity, ability, gender identity, economic means, culture and spiritual/religious orientation, are able to substantively represent African Heritage Community needs through a primary lens of race.

The Role of a Trustee
Eligibility To be a trustee, you must:

• Be 16+ for a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) or charity company.
• Be properly appointed per the charity’s governing document.
• Not be disqualified, unless waived by the Charity Commission, due to reasons like bankruptcy, unspent convictions, or being on the sex offenders’ register.

Responsibilities
As a trustee, you will shape BLF’s strategy and governance while ensuring our activities align with our charitable mission. Trustees are expected to:

1. Ensure Public Benefit – Understand and support BLF’s mission and objectives.
2. Follow Legal & Regulatory Requirements – Maintain compliance and accurate records.
3. Act in BLF’s Best Interests – Make informed, fair decisions free from conflicts of interest.
4. Manage Resources Responsibly – Ensure financial integrity and risk management.
5. Ensure Accountability – Uphold transparency and strong governance.
6. Recognising the sacred responsibilities we have in honouring our Ancestors and building on their legacy of activism for justice, liberation and restoration of African humanity.

Time Commitment

• Attend monthly Partnership & Legacy Group meetings (1.5 hours, second Monday).
• Join monthly Trustees Meetings (an hour on Thursday mornings).
• Participate in Task Group meetings as needed.
• Prepare for meetings and contribute to strategic plans and governance.
• Engage with key partners and funders when required.

Application Timeline

21st April 2025 - Application Closes
1st May 2025 - Interviews
14th May 2025 - Induction for new board members
29th May 2025 - First trustees meeting

How to Apply
Please send the following to admin@bristollegacyfoundation.com:

• An Expression of Interest which explains your relevant experience and motivations for the role.
• Your CV.
• Please make the subject of your email “Application for BLF Board of Trustees”