Philanthropy on boards: the importance of trustees and campaign board chairs

What is the difference between a fundraising trustee and a philanthropy trustee?

A fundraising trustee works with other trustees to help ensure compliance with charity regulations and good governance. They’re often professional fundraisers who bring technical experience to guide the charity on all elements of fundraising, though they may have specific expertise in individual giving, community fundraising, legacies or high-value engagement.

A philanthropy trustee, however, takes a more ambassadorial role, engaging and advising on approaches to ultra- and high-net-worth individuals, trusts and corporates. They leverage their networks to steer, support and promote specific campaigns that will help to achieve the charity’s mission and vision, both at the board level and externally. Alongside other trustees, they oversee strategy, finances and ethics, collaborating on key decisions while keeping the charity accountable.

What’s a campaign chair?

Increasingly, charities are devoting resources to specific campaign subcommittees, or ‘development’ boards, headed by a designated chair. This critical individual (who may also be a philanthropy trustee) takes the lead on raising funds for a specific project (which to date has often been a building or other capital item), rallying supporters and driving strategy. They keep momentum strong, inspire donors, collaborate with the executive team and the board, and ensure successful campaigns. Campaign chairs help to recruit other major donors, motivating and holding them to account once they are on board.

Why is philanthropy on boards more important than ever?

We know that charities are increasingly expected to do more with less as statutory funding and trusts and foundations’ budgets are becoming increasingly stretched. Charities are no longer just looking for governance expertise—they need trustees and campaign board chairs who can actively contribute to fundraising, open doors to new networks, and bring a strategic mindset to philanthropy.

But what does this actually look like in practice? And how can individuals in these roles make the biggest impact?

At our Philanthropy on Boards event, Annemiek Hoogenboom, Arani Mylvaganam and Christian Pau joined Paul Stein and Marie McQuade to share their insights on what makes a great philanthropy trustee, the key challenges they face and how campaign board chairs can drive meaningful change for charities.