New research from the Charity Commission and Pro Bono Economics has revealed something disheartening, but not entirely surprising: trustee boards in England and Wales are still overwhelmingly white, male, older, and wealthy. In fact, there’s been little to no change in board diversity since 2017.
At Fundin, we’re committed to breaking down barriers to funding, but we know that the structures surrounding funding matter too. If leadership isn’t representative or inclusive, it creates ripple effects across decision-making, priorities, and ultimately, who gets funded.
Paying trustees isn’t the fix, but open recruitment might be
Some are calling for trustees to be paid as a fix for the lack of diversity. And while the intent is right, to make roles more accessible, the solution misses the mark.
The same research shows that only 1 in 17 trustees found their role through an advert. Most were invited by someone already on the board. So if recruitment stays within existing networks, introducing pay could actually cement the problem, not solve it. It could turn trustee roles into “jobs for life”, especially since half of all trustees don’t have fixed terms.
That’s a closed system, and closed systems don’t serve diverse missions.
Open recruitment works, and makes boards stronger
What does work? Advertising your roles.
Reach Volunteering’s data shows that open recruitment leads to trustee applications from younger people, more women, more global majority candidates, and more LGBTQ+ individuals. That matters not just for fairness, but for capability.
At Fundin, we’ve seen time and again that charities with representative leadership make smarter funding decisions. They bring lived experience, fresh insight, and a broader understanding of community need, all of which leads to stronger, more fundable organisations.
Paying expenses is a no-brainer
One simple but powerful change is to pay trustee expenses, and to make that expectation clear.
A quarter of trustees weren’t sure if they could claim. That’s an unnecessary barrier for people who already have to juggle care duties, long commutes, or financial constraints. When trustees are out of pocket, the board becomes self-selecting, and exclusive.
Encouraging and reimbursing expenses shouldn’t be controversial. It’s basic inclusion, and it’s easily achievable, especially compared to the cost of missing out on brilliant trustees.
Board culture matters too
Even with better recruitment and clearer expenses policies, change won’t stick unless board culture evolves. Charity leadership must actively value different experiences and perspectives. That means giving real power to new voices, being open to challenge, and embedding inclusive practices, not just policies.
It’s the same principle Fundin applies in our tech and services: building inclusive systems isn’t about surface-level fixes, it’s about addressing root causes with clarity and intention.
Build boards that reflect your mission
If your charity is serious about equity, whether in service delivery or in grant funding, then the same principles must apply to governance. Here’s how to start:
- Advertise trustee roles publicly and widely
- Encourage and pay expenses, always
- Set clear terms and open up board seats regularly
- Be honest about the current culture, and ready to shift it
At Fundin, we help charities secure funding more fairly. But equity doesn’t stop at the bid. It starts at the board.
