Fundraising & Philanthropy Board Member

About Girls United

Girls United is creating a world where girls and women can reach their potential through the power of football. Across London and Mexico, it combines accessible football programmes, life-skills development, local female coach development and community-led action. In 2024/25, 1,832 young people attended weekly sessions across 47 venues and schools. 

Why this role now

Girls United's emerging 2027-2031 direction includes ambitious growth, stronger financial models and a wider range of long-term partners. The Board therefore needs dedicated charitable fundraising and philanthropy expertise to help turn proven impact into resilient, multi-year and unrestricted support.

The opportunity

Girls United is looking for a Fundraising & Philanthropy Board Member who can bring clear strategic judgement, relevant experience and practical support at a point of growth. This is a governance role: the successful person will help the Board ask better questions, make sound decisions and support the Chief Executive without stepping into day-to-day management.

Role at a glance

• Role: Fundraising & Philanthropy Board Member
• Reports to: The Board, through the Chair or nominated Co-Chair
• Term: Terms of maximum of two years, with possible renewal for 1 further term.
  
• Location: Mexico or the UK – meetings are mainly online, with some in-person activity in London and/or Mexico.
  
• Renumeration: This position is voluntary.
• Time Commitment: Four Board meetings, monthly subcommittee meetings, one annual half-day strategy session, preparation time and agreed support between meetings

What all Board Members are there to do

• Set and protect the organisation's purpose, direction and values.
• Oversee strategy, financial health, risk, safeguarding, impact and organisational sustainability.
• Act in the best interests of Girls United and the girls and communities it exists to serve.
• Bring independent judgement, ask constructive questions and contribute to collective decisions.
• Maintain confidentiality, declare conflicts of interest and follow the organisation's governing documents and agreed policies.
• Support an inclusive Board culture in which different experiences, identities and perspectives are heard.
• Be an active ambassador for Girls United and open relevant doors where appropriate.

What the Fundraising & Philanthropy Board Member will bring

• Help the Board and Chief Executive shape the fundraising and philanthropy contribution to the 2027-2031 Strategy.
• Help test the future income model and income map across trusts and foundations, major donors, family offices, institutional funders and international philanthropy.
• Help build a stronger case for funding that connects Girls United's proven impact, programme pathway, coach development and community reach.
• Challenge and support thinking on funding mix, unrestricted income, multi-year support, donor stewardship, growth investment and realistic targets.
• Help the Board understand how philanthropy should sit alongside programme sponsorship, event partnerships, in-kind support, services and possible affiliation models without treating them as the same route to income.
• Make thoughtful introductions where appropriate and help Girls United prepare well for important conversations.
• Help the Board understand pipeline quality, concentration risk, opportunity and the funding implications of expansion across London and Mexico.
• Contribute to the Brand & Partnerships Subcommittee or another relevant committee agreed by the Board.

Contribution between meetings

Board Members are expected to contribute outside formal meetings, but that support should be purposeful and manageable. For this role, that is likely to mean occasional advice, introductions or a short piece of agreed work up to four hours a month, with any heavier commitment agreed in advance.

• Respond to reasonable requests for advice or introductions in your area of expertise.
• Join short conversations with the Chief Executive or a relevant team member when another perspective would help.
• Take on a clearly defined piece of work only where the purpose, boundaries and end point are agreed.
• Avoid directing staff, making operational decisions or becoming a substitute for paid specialist capacity.

What we are looking for

Essential

• Senior experience of building charitable or philanthropic income at a meaningful scale, with a consistent track record
• A practical understanding of how organisations build trusted, long-term donor relationships and secure unrestricted or multi-year support.
• Experience connecting impact evidence and organisational ambition to a compelling case for support and investable growth plans.
• Strategic judgement and the ability to distinguish governance, advice and introductions from operational fundraising delivery.
• Confidence reading a pipeline, testing assumptions and helping leaders focus effort where it is most likely to matter.
• A commitment to gender equality and to creating better opportunities for girls through sport.
• The time and willingness to contribute between meetings within clear boundaries.

• Networks or experience in Mexico, the UK, international development or international philanthropy.

Desirable

• Experience of women's football, grassroots sport, youth development or organisations working across more than one country.
• Knowledge of corporate partnerships, institutional funding, communications or brand-led fundraising alongside philanthropy.
• Experience supporting a founder-led organisation through growth.

How we will work together

• The Board works collectively. No single Board Member owns a decision or directs the executive team.
• Requests will be clear about whether Girls United needs a decision, advice, reassurance, an introduction or time-limited help.
• The Chair will check that expectations remain realistic and that the role is adding value for both Girls United and the Board.
• The Board will receive an appropriate induction, access to key documents and a named point of contact.

How to apply: Please apply through Girls United Bamboo hiring platform – any questions please email romina@girlsunitedfa.org. 

Deadline: 02 November 2026, 11:59PM (GMT)