Key Skills

Job Description

Volunteer governance role | Netherlands / Europe | Remote About Solena Collective Solena Collective is a growing global movement where women come together locally to support one another, learn and share skills, and take collective action to advance gender equality in their communities. Through locally led Solena Circles, women identify the gender equality issues that matter in their own communities and work together to take action. Solena connects these local groups with a global network of women, nonprofit organizations, experts, learning opportunities, resources, and funding to help turn their ideas into action. We are currently developing our early Circles in Kenya, Colombia, and the United States while building the legal, financial, and organizational infrastructure needed to support a genuinely global movement. About the role We are looking for founding board members for Stichting Solena Collective, Solena’s legal home in the Netherlands. The Stichting will support Solena’s global mission and is intended to apply for ANBI status. The board will be responsible for making sure the Dutch entity is well governed, financially responsible, and meeting its legal and regulatory obligations. We’re particularly interested in people who can also help strengthen Solena’s connections within Europe. This could mean experience with EU funding, European foundations, nonprofit partnerships, consortium building, gender equality work, or the wider European civil society sector. The Stichting is not a Netherlands-only version of Solena. It is one part of Solena’s wider global structure, alongside our future U.S. 501(c)(3) and other legal entities that may be created as Solena grows. How governance works at Solena Solena is developing a governance model that separates global movement leadership from the legal responsibilities of individual nonprofit entities. Our Global Council helps guide Solena’s overall mission, strategy, values, and global direction, bringing perspectives from across the movement. Our legal boards, including the Stichting board, are responsible for governing their individual legal entities. They provide fiduciary, financial, regulatory, risk, and governance oversight while working within Solena’s shared global mission and governance framework. As a Stichting board member, you would help make sure Solena’s Dutch entity is legally and financially sound while remaining closely connected to the wider Solena Collective. Board members may also have the opportunity to serve on Solena’s Global Council, depending on the Council’s needs and composition. The two roles are separate: the Stichting board holds responsibility for the Dutch legal entity, while the Global Council helps shape the direction of the wider movement. What you’ll help with Establish strong governance for the Stichting As a founding board member, you will help us: Put strong governance practices in place from the beginning Support the Stichting through the ANBI application process and ongoing ANBI requirements Review and approve governance documents, policies, budgets, and major decisions Oversee the financial health of the Stichting and the appropriate use of its funds Help establish good financial controls and risk management practices Work with legal, accounting, and other professional advisors as needed Ensure the Stichting is set up to support Solena’s global work appropriately You do not need to personally handle legal filings, accounting, or other specialist work (although you are welcome to if this is your expertise!). We are looking for board members who can provide thoughtful oversight and help us make good decisions as the organization develops. Provide ongoing governance and oversight The board will: Fulfil the legal and fiduciary responsibilities of a Dutch Stichting board Review budgets, financial reporting, major commitments, and organizational risks Ensure funds and other assets are used to advance Solena’s mission Maintain appropriate policies, controls, and compliance Provide oversight of the Stichting’s relationship with Solena’s wider global structure Help ensure decisions remain aligned with Solena’s mission and values Support Solena’s long-term organizational and financial sustainability Strengthen Solena’s European presence We would also love board members who can help us build stronger connections across Europe. This might include: Building relationships with European nonprofits, networks, funders, institutions, and potential partners Helping us understand the European funding and philanthropy landscape Connecting Solena with organizations working on gender equality, women’s rights, civic participation, education, community development, and related areas Identifying useful networks, partnerships, and opportunities for collaboration Helping us understand where Solena fits within the wider European nonprofit sector Help us access EU and European funding EU funding is one reason the Netherlands entity is important to Solena, and we would particularly value board members who understand this space. Depending on your experience, you might help us: Identify EU programmes and European funding opportunities that are a good fit for Solena Understand what Solena needs to have in place to be competitive for EU funding Identify potential consortium partners and build relationships with other European organizations Advise on opportunities where Solena could participate as a partner or eventually lead a consortium Connect us with European foundations, institutional funders, and relevant networks Review our overall funding strategy and help us decide which opportunities are worth pursuing Board members will not be required to write grant applications or manage funded projects. We’re looking for people who can bring experience, connections, and good judgment as we build this part of Solena. Who we’re looking for We want to build a small board with complementary skills, perspectives, and experience. We would particularly value people with experience in one or more of the following: Dutch nonprofit or Stichting governance ANBI requirements or compliance EU funding programmes EU project development or consortium building European foundations or philanthropy Nonprofit finance or accounting Law, governance, or regulatory compliance Institutional fundraising Gender equality or women’s rights European civil society or public policy International nonprofit structures or cross-border organizations Organizational strategy or nonprofit growth Previous board experience is helpful but not essential. We are also interested in people who understand the responsibilities of nonprofit governance and are willing to learn. More important is that you: Believe in Solena’s mission and community-led approach to gender equality Are comfortable joining an organization at an early stage Can exercise independent judgment and ask thoughtful questions Understand the difference between governance and day-to-day management Are willing to take the legal and fiduciary responsibilities of board service seriously Are comfortable working across cultures and within a global organization Value collaboration while being willing to challenge ideas when needed Being based in the Netherlands or elsewhere in Europe would be particularly helpful, although we are also open to people elsewhere who bring strong relevant experience or networks. What this role is — and isn’t This is a legal governance role, not an advisory title. We want board members who will actively participate in overseeing Solena’s Dutch legal home. At the same time, the board will not be expected to manage Solena’s everyday programs or make all of the strategic decisions for the global movement. Solena has a global team responsible for implementation and is developing a Global Council to provide broader movement-level strategic leadership and representation. The Stichting board’s role is to make sure the Dutch entity is well governed, legally compliant, financially responsible, and able to play its part in supporting the wider Solena Collective. We also don’t expect board members to become Solena’s EU grant writers. We do hope to have people on the board who understand that world and can help us build the relationships, partnerships, and experience needed to access European funding over time. Commitment This is an unpaid volunteer board position. There will be some additional involvement during the early stages as we establish governance processes, work toward ANBI status, and put the Stichting’s financial and organizational systems in place. After that, the role will move into a regular board meeting and governance rhythm. Most work can be completed remotely. Why join at this stage? Joining the founding Stichting board means helping shape Solena’s European legal home while we are still building it. You’ll have the opportunity to: Help create a strong European foundation for a growing global movement Shape responsible governance practices from the beginning Help Solena build relationships with European funders, nonprofits, and partners Help us develop the partnerships and experience needed to access EU funding Work alongside people in multiple countries building a new model for locally led action on gender equality Potentially contribute to Solena’s wider global governance through the Global Council Help us build the European home for a global movement of women taking action for gender equality.

Core Responsibilities

Provide fiduciary, financial, regulatory, and governance oversight for Solena Collective’s Dutch Stichting, including supporting its ANBI application, reviewing budgets and policies, and overseeing compliance, risk, and the use of funds. Help strengthen Solena’s European presence by building relationships with funders and nonprofit partners and advising on EU funding opportunities and consortium partnerships.

Requirements

Candidates should believe in Solena’s community-led gender equality mission, be comfortable with an early-stage global organization, exercise independent judgment, and take legal and fiduciary board responsibilities seriously. Relevant experience in nonprofit governance, ANBI compliance, EU funding, finance, law, fundraising, gender equality, European civil society, or cross-border organizations is valued; prior board experience is helpful but not essential.