Board Director - US Charitable Foundation · Remote

About us

Pickle is a talent partner for fast-growing businesses. We help ambitious founders and leadership teams hire exceptional people across operations, product, technology, customer success, commercial, finance, and executive leadership.

We specialise in identifying high-quality permanent and contractor talent that can make an immediate impact, supporting businesses through key growth stages with a thoughtful, consultative approach to hiring. Whether it's a critical leadership appointment or building out an entire function, we work as an extension of our clients' teams to find people who combine the right skills, mindset, and cultural fit.

We believe great hiring goes beyond matching CVs to job descriptions. It's about understanding how businesses operate, what success looks like, and connecting them with people who will help them grow for the long term.

About the Organisation and the Role

Location: United States – remote
Appointment: Voluntary, unpaid board position, with reasonable expenses reimbursed
Commitment: Approximately three hours per month, plus occasional approvals between meetings
Term: Three years, renewable
Eligibility: US citizens or permanent residents currently living in the United States

Our client is a US-based charitable foundation operating a donor-advised fund (DAF), supporting donors in directing funding towards charitable organisations across the United States.

The foundation forms part of an international philanthropic group and is focused on creating lasting, meaningful impact through responsible grant-making, thoughtful financial stewardship and a long-term approach to philanthropy.

The organisation believes that philanthropy can be more effective when it moves beyond short-term thinking and embraces thoughtful innovation, accountability and a willingness to challenge established ways of working.

As a developing organisation, the foundation is continuing to build its governance processes and operational framework. It offers an opportunity to contribute to an organisation where individual board members can make a meaningful difference to its direction, oversight and long-term development.

What its all about

The foundation is seeking a US-based Board Director to join its small board and contribute to the responsible governance and development of the organisation.

This is a hands-on, voluntary board appointment suited to someone who understands the importance of good governance but is also comfortable working in an evolving environment. The successful candidate will bring sound judgement, reliability and a pragmatic approach, helping the foundation make considered decisions without introducing unnecessary complexity.

Board members play an active role in reviewing and approving charitable grants, overseeing compliance, considering financial and investment matters, and ensuring that the foundation operates in accordance with its charitable purpose and applicable US requirements.

The board is small, so each director's contribution matters. This is not simply a ceremonial appointment: the foundation needs someone who will engage with board materials, attend meetings consistently, respond to requests within agreed timeframes and exercise independent judgement.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable balancing the responsibilities of a nonprofit director with the realities of a growing organisation that is still refining some of its processes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Board Governance and Decision-Making

• Attend quarterly virtual board meetings, with the possibility of more frequent meetings during the foundation's earlier stages.
• Review board papers, resolutions and supporting documentation ahead of meetings.
• Review, approve and electronically sign board resolutions, grant approvals and other documents within agreed timeframes, typically five working days.
• Exercise independent judgement and act in the best interests of the foundation and its charitable purposes.
• Contribute constructively to board discussions, bringing an objective perspective and asking appropriate questions.
• Help ensure decisions are made thoughtfully, consistently and in accordance with the foundation's governing documents and applicable US law.
• Identify and declare potential conflicts of interest and comply with the foundation's conflict of interest policy.
• Work collaboratively with fellow directors and the foundation's professional advisers, including legal and accounting advisers.

2. Charitable Grant-Making and Compliance

• Review and approve grants to US charitable organisations that have completed the foundation's due diligence process.
• Support appropriate oversight of grant-making activities, ensuring decisions are consistent with the foundation's charitable purpose and governance obligations.
• Contribute to the foundation's approach to accountability, transparency and risk management.
• Oversee, at board level, the foundation's annual IRS Form 990 filing and relevant state charitable registration requirements.
• Work with fellow directors and professional advisers to ensure appropriate compliance processes are maintained.
• Help identify potential governance or compliance risks and support proportionate, practical solutions.

3. Financial and Investment Oversight

• Participate in board discussions regarding the management, stewardship and long-term preservation of the foundation's assets.
• Consider the opportunities and risks associated with the foundation's investment approach and its endowment model.
• Apply sound judgement when evaluating investment-related decisions, taking into account the foundation's charitable purpose and the responsibilities of a US nonprofit director.
• Contribute to discussions around financial oversight, risk management and responsible asset stewardship.
• Help ensure that investment decisions receive appropriate scrutiny and are considered within the foundation's governance framework.

Important investment consideration: The foundation may hold assets including gold, silver, copper, Bitcoin and other hard assets as part of its investment approach. Candidates must be comfortable with this philosophy and willing to engage thoughtfully with the opportunities, risks and governance considerations associated with these assets. This does not mean that every director must be an investment specialist, but an open and informed approach to the foundation's investment model is essential.

4. Supporting an Evolving Organisation

• Work constructively within a small board where individual contributions and timely decisions are important.
• Be comfortable operating in an environment where processes are still developing and not every situation will have an established precedent.
• Bring structure and clarity where helpful, while avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Approach challenges with pragmatism, flexibility and a willingness to find workable solutions.
• Support the foundation's continued development by contributing ideas, asking constructive questions and helping strengthen its governance as it grows.

5. Officer Responsibilities, Where Applicable

Depending on the appointment, a director may also be appointed as an officer of the foundation.

Where this applies, responsibilities may include acting as an authorised signatory on the foundation's US bank account and completing the bank's required identity verification procedures.

About You

We are looking for a dependable, thoughtful and pragmatic individual who takes governance responsibilities seriously and is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to long-term charitable impact.

You will be comfortable exercising independent judgement, working collaboratively with other board members and engaging with financial, governance and compliance matters at an appropriate level.

You should also be comfortable with the foundation's investment philosophy and understand that the role requires active participation rather than a purely advisory or honorary contribution.

Requirements

About You

We are looking for a dependable, thoughtful and pragmatic individual who takes governance responsibilities seriously and is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to long-term charitable impact.

You will be comfortable exercising independent judgement, working collaboratively with other board members and engaging with financial, governance and compliance matters at an appropriate level.

You should also be comfortable with the foundation's investment philosophy and understand that the role requires active participation rather than a purely advisory or honorary contribution.

Essential Requirements

• US residency and eligibility: You must be a US citizen or permanent resident currently living in the United States.
• Reliability and responsiveness: You can attend scheduled meetings, review documentation and return approvals and signatures within agreed timeframes.
• Comfort with the investment approach: You are comfortable with an endowment model that may include precious metals, Bitcoin and other hard assets.
• Sound judgement: You can consider information objectively, ask relevant questions and make decisions in the best interests of a charitable organisation.
• Governance awareness: You understand the responsibilities associated with nonprofit board membership or are willing and able to develop the necessary knowledge.
• Integrity and independence: You can act independently, identify potential conflicts of interest and comply with the foundation's governance requirements.
• Adaptability: You are comfortable working with a small team in an evolving environment where flexibility and practical problem-solving are important.
• Availability: You can accommodate virtual meetings generally scheduled during UK working hours, which will usually mean morning meetings in the United States.

Desirable Experience

The following experience would be advantageous, although candidates do not need to meet every criterion:

• Previous experience serving on a nonprofit, charitable or other governance board.
• A professional background in finance, investment, accounting, law or a related field.
• Experience in charitable giving, philanthropy, grant-making or donor-advised funds.
• Familiarity with nonprofit financial oversight, regulatory compliance or risk management.
• Experience working with professional advisers and contributing to governance decisions.
• Experience working across time zones or collaborating with internationally distributed teams.

What Makes This Opportunity Different?

This appointment offers the opportunity to contribute to a developing philanthropic organisation with an ambitious approach to creating lasting charitable impact.

You will join a small board where your judgement, engagement and willingness to contribute will have a tangible influence on how the organisation develops.

The role may particularly appeal to someone who:

• Wants to contribute professional experience to a charitable purpose.
• Believes philanthropy should be thoughtful, accountable and focused on lasting outcomes.
• Is comfortable questioning established approaches and considering new ideas.
• Enjoys working in a smaller organisation where decisions and individual contributions matter.
• Is interested in the intersection of charitable governance, financial stewardship and long-term asset management.

The position is voluntary and unpaid, making it most suitable for someone whose motivation includes contributing their expertise and experience to a meaningful charitable mission.

Time Commitment and Appointment Details

• Location: United States, with remote participation.
• Remuneration: Unpaid; reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• Time commitment: Approximately three hours per month, plus occasional document reviews and approvals between meetings.
• Meetings: Quarterly virtual board meetings, generally during UK working hours (morning in the US). More frequent meetings may be required during the foundation's early development.
• Term: Three years, renewable.
• Appointment conditions: Subject to standard identity and background checks and approval in accordance with the foundation's governing documents.
• Documentation: Directors will be expected to review and electronically sign relevant board documents within agreed timeframes.

Benefits

Selection Process

The anticipated selection process comprises:

1. Initial Talent Screening – 30 minutes: An introductory conversation to discuss your background, experience, interest in the appointment and practical availability.
2. Culture Survey – 15 minutes: A short survey to explore your working preferences and alignment with the organisation's approach.
3. Mission Alignment Conversation – 45 minutes: An opportunity to discuss the foundation's purpose, philanthropic philosophy and approach to governance.
4. Director Conversation – 60 minutes: A more detailed discussion of your experience, judgement and suitability for the board.
5. Final Board Discussion – 60 minutes: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a group conversation with existing directors.

Diversity & Inclusion

Pickle People recognises the benefits of a diverse workforce and strives to be an inclusive organisation. We are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect regardless of race, culture, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief and we promote diversity of thought. We would appreciate your help to enable us to measure the diversity within our recruitment process. Completing this form is voluntary and the information provided will remain anonymous. Please submit your information here.