Position: Trustee

James Banks is Chief Executive of Funders Together, enabling public, private and philanthropic funders to work collaboratively on the issues that matter to our communities.

He helped to bring 67 funders together to distribute £59m through the London Community Response during the pandemic, which enabled funders and social justice organisations to deliver an £100m ten-year Propel systems change collaboration. He also encouraged progressive funder practice towards more open and trusting grant making by getting over 400 funders to sign the We Stand With The Sector pledges.

James chairs Collaboration Circle, a national organisation that provides a space for funders and partners to pool their people, power and pounds to achieve positive and lasting change.

Prior to his work in the funding sector he worked and volunteered across civil society, with a strong focus on advice and rights – from being Chief Executive of Royal Courts of Justice Advice to Chair of South West London Law Centres.

He was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2022 for his services to charitable funding in London.