Governance Resources

We recommend the following resources:

Charity Governance Code: a Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector
Developed by a number of sector bodies, the new Charity Governance Code is a free framework to support good  governance within your charity.

The Scottish Governance Code for the Third Sector
Developed by the third sector, for the third sector. Scotland’s Third Sector Governance Forum consulted with more than 250 individuals and organisations to create this best practice guide, specific to Scotland.

The Essential Trustee: What You Need to Know, What You Need to Do
The Charity Commission’s free guide for all trustees in England and Wales.

Charity Finances: Trustee Essentials From the Charity Commission
Use this guide to fout how to manage your charity’s assets and resources, from cash and investments to staff and volunteers.

Guidance and Good Practice for Charity Trustees
The Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)’s free guide to being a trustee in Scotland.

Running Your Charity Guidance
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s free guide for trustees.

Governance Resources from NCVO Knowhow Nonprofit
NCVO Knowhow Nonprofit is a web portal that offers free advice and support for voluntary organisations and it has a section on governance.

Governance Support from NPC
NPC, the charity think tank and consultancy and Award partner, has a number of publications, blogs and events that touch on governance on its website.

• Above and Beyond is a guide which draws on the experiences and insights of active, ambitious trustees, as well as NPC’s own knowledge gained over nearly 15 years working with charities and funders.
• NPC host a range of trusteeship seminars (hosted by the Clothworkers). Upcoming seminars include: Lets talk mission through mergers: a discussion for trustees, and Learning and impact reporting: how trustees should use impact data.
• What makes a good charity? Is NPC’s step-by-step guide to charity analysis, outlining their tried and tested approach which focuses on the key characteristics they believe are common to all effective charities, including a focus on the importance of good governance.
• Diversity in governance This paper by NPC outlines what it means to have a truly diverse board of trustees and what it brings to an organisation. It also explores how to manage and maintain a board that is diverse.

Guidance on Governance and Trusteeship from Reach Volunteering
Reach, the volunteer and trustee matching charity and Award partner, has a range of advice on becoming a trustee, governance and recruiting trustees:

• Recruiting and retaining trustees guide
• New in 2021! Trustee Recruitment Cycle
• How to complete a skills audit guide and template for charity boards
• The strategic role of digital for charity boards
• Eight digital actions for charity boards: a checklist
• Become a trustee guide

Getting On Board
Getting on Board is a charity that helps individuals, employers and members of professional networks become new leaders in communities through board-level volunteering. They’ve published a ‘How to Recruit Trustees for Your Charity – A Practical Guide‘ (2019), available as a free download from their website.

Inspiring Impact (Impact Practice Made Simple)
Connect with partners, get tips on setting targets and measuring impact, and download self-assessments tools from www.inspiringimpact.org.

ICSA: The Governance Institute
The ICSA is a non-profit institute that offers publications, advice and qualifications in charity governance.

The Trustee Leadership Programme
The Trustee Leadership Programme is created by Cause4 (delivered in partnership with Close Brothers Asset Management and The Clothworkers’ Company).