Resources for smaller charities
Small Charity Week took place this month. Good governance of small organisations brings a unique set of challenges, including a board that often has to strike the balance between their strategic oversight and operational matters. With this in mind this month’s round-up starts with a selection of NCVO resources for smaller charities.
Content free to all for the week
The following member-only content is open to all throughout Small Charity Week. If you like what you see remember NCVO membership is free for organisations with a turnover under £30,000 and at great rates for others.
Tools and resources
Studyzone Videos
The following training videos on Studyzone will be available to non-members for the week:
- Strategy made easy: simple steps to producing your strategic plan
- Fundraising, finances and the future: five-in-one training pack
- What difference are we making? Understanding and accessing impact
The Road Ahead
What does the year ahead have in store for charities? Read the full report and find out about the key trends for charities in 2018. You can also use our PEST analysis template to do your own evaluation.
NCVO support for all small charities all year round
Funding central offers guidance on over 4,000 different contracts, grants and loans, helping you secure funding for your organisation. We’re offering a free subscription to charities with less than £100,000 turnover a year.
You can also find free year-round info and support on NCVO Knowhow Nonprofit in our governance section including our new legal compliance checklist for boards
Other governance news
From the regulators
Automatic disqualification guidance for charities – will it affect your trustees and senior staff?
From 1 August 2018 changes to the automatic disqualification rules by the Charity Commission mean there will be more restrictions on who can run a charity. You will need to check that your trustees, chief executive officer and financial directors will not be disqualified from acting in these positions after 1 August 2018.
You will also need to prepare by taking some simple steps to update recruitment and appointment systems. You can read the Commission’s automatic disqualification guide for charities to find out more including about waivers.
The guide for charities also includes a sample declaration that can be given to your trustees and senior staff to confirm that they won’t be disqualified by the new rules. The Commission has also produced separate guidance for individuals to explain the rules and how they can apply for a waiver from the Charity Commission.
New Annual Return for 2018
The Charity Commission are introducing a new tailored annual return service later this summer. It will include some new questions that charities can start preparing for now about both income from and expenditure outside the UK as well as salaries and benefits.
Fundraising charities: Additional reporting requirements
The Fundraising Regulator has published new guidance reminding trustees to include additional information in their trustees’ annual report if their charity raises funds from the public or organisations. The guidance is endorsed by the Charity Commission and reminds independent examiners and auditors of matters that they should be considering when reviewing charity’s report and accounts.
Cyber security and data protection
Apart from GDPR coming in to force on 25 May we’ve had a stark reminder about cyber security. The charity, the British and Foreign Bible Society has been fined £100,000 by the Information Commissioner’s Office, after criminals gained access to supporter data via the charity’s website. See our Knowhow NonProfit hub pages for support and guidance on data protection/GDPR and cyber security.
Upcoming training
- Charity Trustees: Induction and refresher training – July 2, London
- Data protection reform – an introduction to the GDPR for the voluntary sector – July 12, Leicester
- The high performance board – July 13, London
- Writing a sustainable funding strategy – July 17 and 18, London
All of the above and more can be delivered in-house for your charity. Contact our training team for more info.
Dan is responsible for NCVO’s governance consultancy offer, focusing on governance reviews, board performance and trustee training. He joined NCVO from the National Union of Students (NUS) where, as a long standing consultant, he supported the organisational development of local students’ unions as charities. 
