2 Grants and finance assistant volunteer roles

Charleston is seeking a new Trustee to join its Board at an exciting stage in the organisation’s development.

Charleston is a year-round cultural organisation with sites in Firle and Lewes, bringing people together to engage with art and ideas. The former home and studio of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, Charleston has a rich history rooted in the Bloomsbury group and a contemporary mission to champion experimental thinking, social inclusion and the power of art to provoke new thinking.

We are particularly seeking a trustee with significant experience in financial management, investment and endowment strategy. You will work closely with the CEO and fellow trustees to shape and lead Charleston’s approach to building and stewarding its new Permanent Endowment Trust, helping to create a secure and sustainable financial foundation for the organisation’s future.

We are looking for someone with:

• Experience of financial management, investment, reserves and endowment management.
• Experience of fundraising, particularly endowment campaigns.
• Strategic thinking, sound judgement and strong Board-level decision-making skills.
• An understanding of charity governance and trustee responsibilities.
• The ability to build influential philanthropic, corporate, public or charitable relationships.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills.
• A commitment to Charleston’s mission, vision and values.

Knowledge of the arts, heritage, museums or cultural sectors, previous board or committee experience, and experience of strategic partnerships would be advantageous. You do not need to be a qualified accountant.

The successful candidate will join Charleston’s Business and Finance Committee, which meets quarterly, alongside four Board meetings each year in Sussex and London. Trustees serve a three-year term, renewable for a second term subject to Board approval. The role is unremunerated, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

We particularly welcome applications from people from backgrounds underrepresented in the cultural sector, including Disabled people, people from the Global Majority, LGBTQ+ people and people from low-income backgrounds.

Closing date: 9am (GMT), Friday 16 October 2026.
Interview: Friday 20 November 2026, Charleston, Firle (BN8 6LL).

To apply, please send a concise covering letter addressing the person specification and CV.