Lessons from the start line: Reflections from Janice Taylor, our outgoing trustee

Every organisation has its beginnings, shaped by the people who first believed in the vision, rolled up their sleeves, and helped bring it to life. At the Pearce Foundation, we were lucky to be joined from the very start by a small group of trustees who did just that.

As one of our founding trustees, Janice Taylor has played a crucial role in our journey, helping to shape the Foundation’s strategy, direction, and values. We ask for an initial 3-year commitment from our trustees and at the end of Janice’s term, we wanted to learn from her experiences. We sat down with her to reflect on the early stages, what she’s learnt along the way, and her hopes for what lies ahead.

Getting off the ground and gaining momentum

“I was struck by how quickly things moved,” Janice shared. “From the first conversation to registering the charity and starting our work, it all came together with real purpose and pace.”

The Pearce Foundation began with a simple question: what if we could support the people who support others? What followed was a stream of ideas, and importantly, the determination to turn those ideas into something tangible.

“It was meaningful to see how people like you and me – just everyday people – can notice a gap or a need and decide to do something about it,” she added. “It’s the same spirit we’ve seen in the charity partners we work with, people who are motivated by the same sense of urgency and care.”

Growing and evolving

Over the years, the Pearce Foundation has created and tested our ‘more than money model’, and has grown in response to our partner’s needs. Janice reflects positively on how far we've come.

“It’s been great to see how systems and procedures have evolved. There’s now real clarity about what the Pearce Foundation offers. What stands out to me is how open we’ve been to feedback, and how willing the organisation has been to learn and refine its approach.”

This mindset of listening and adapting, has always been central to our approach. Whether in how we support our partners or how we manage our grants, we remain committed to learning, responding, and striving to understand what small charities truly need and how we can best support them.

A personal learning curve

For Janice, the experience also brought personal growth. “I didn’t have a charity background, and it was my first time sitting on a board,” she explained. “It was a new space for me.”

She acknowledges it wasn’t always easy. “I did find the paperwork side of things more than I expected, as that’s not where my strengths lie. But I learnt a lot. If I could go back, I’d have made more time to meet the partner charities. Seeing their work up close would have given me a deeper connection to the impact we’re helping make possible.”

Her advice to new trustees? “Be clear about the time and effort involved. It’s more than attending a few meetings, and to really get the most out of the opportunity, you need to invest time. And it helps if you’re genuinely passionate about the cause.”

Looking ahead

As she embarks on a new chapter in her own life, Janice leaves with pride and optimism. “I feel happy to see how the organisation has embedded strong systems, and how more and more people are starting to hear about it. I’m glad to have played a part in helping it grow.”

Her vision for the future is hopeful and ambitious: “I’d love to see the Pearce Foundation still going strong five years from now, maybe even scaling up with a team of coaches. Jane, our Founder, has done so much as one person. The model is a fabulous blueprint, and I think it can be a template for others to follow.”

From everyone at the Pearce Foundation, thank you Janice for being a trusted sounding board, a voice of wisdom, a critical friend, and for always bringing good humour. You will be missed!

To Janice, and to everyone who has believed in and helped shape the Pearce Foundation from the very beginning, a heartfelt thank you. We’re truly grateful. Here’s to the next chapter!