Lack of diversity in Foundation boards - the CASS Centre for Charity Effectiveness and ACF have published a report on grant-making charity trustees which show a lack of diversity in Foundation boards. There are twice as many male trustees as women and Foundation boards are 99% white. Almost 60% of all Foundation trustees are over the age of 65, around 10% higher than for Charity trustees in general. ACF has launched their Stronger Foundations initiative, with a specific working party focused on Diversity. Read more
NCVO consults on a draft Code of Ethics for the sector - wider than simply safeguarding, the Code of Ethics aims to to develop an overarching set of ethical principles that could act as a framework for all charities. NCVO are asking for feedback by 26th September. Read more
Charity Digital Code - a consultation on the first Charity Digital Code of Practice has opened, and is asking for responses by 25th September. The code sets out 7 principles showing the impact of digital on charities and identifying best practice. Read more
The Value of Small - research commissioned by the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales shows the importance of small and local charities in their communities. Seeking to influence the government’s Civil Society Strategy it calls for national and local action to protect, promote and develop smaller charities. Read more
Charity Commission updated automatic disqualification rules for Charity trustees and managers - from 1 August 2018 there will be 2 key changes to the automatic disqualification rule. Firstly, an increase in the number of legal reasons that disqualify someone from acting as a trustee. The new reasons include being on the sex offenders register, and certain unspent convictions - such as for terrorism or money laundering. Secondly, people who are disqualified from acting as a trustee are also disqualified from holding senior manager positions at a charity; such as Chief Executive or Finance Director. Read more
Fundraising regulator issues guidance on new reporting requirements - The Charities Act 2016 requires more detail to be included in Annual Reports around monitoring and standards of fundraising activities. The guidance seeks to remind trustees of their new duties and is endorsed by the Charity Commission. Read more
Charity Commission launches new trustee welcome pack - the pack is to be sent out to all new trustees, but is also a useful reminder to existing trustees. Read more
Trust in Charities 2018 - the Charity Commission has released new research into public trust in Charities. The research finds that public trust in charities has plateaued since 2016, and remains low at 5.5 out of 10. The public now trust charities less than they trust the average person in the street. It identifies the key drivers of trust in charities as being:
- transparent about where money goes
- true to their values
- efficient in their use of resources
- well-governed and well-managed
- able to demonstrate making a positive difference
It also finds a link between levels of trust and levels of giving. Read more
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