Manage your Charity
This resource is aimed at supporting charities to ensure the proper procedures and policies are in place to manage the charity’s resources effectively and, where appropriate, to make changes to their charity. Published: 2014.
What is a Code of Governance?
Company Structure
Role descriptions for Trustees, Chair and other board portfolio holders
Respective responsibilities of Board and Executive
Schedule of Matters (items reserved for Board decision only)
The main benefits of a Code of Governance are in inducting new Board members with a comprehensive governance document and in maintaining good governance practice in an organisation over a period of time.
A template Code of Governance for a fictional organisation is provided here.
Related resources
Guidance
Charity governance, finance and resilience: 15 questions trustees should ask
The Charity Commission has designed these 15 questions to help charity trustees carry out a review of the charity's plans and decide what they need to focus on. Published: March 2017.
Guidance
The Essential Trustee
A Charity Commission publication setting out all you need to know formally about being a trustee. First published: March 2012, latest updates: May 2018.
Guidance
Governance and Trustees
Practical support on governance by NCVO.
Website
Charity Governance Code Toolkit
To be used in conjunction with The Charity Governance Code, this is a practical tool kit acting as a checklist against which Trustees can note their progress, actions and their points for continuing improvement.
Guidance
Charity Governance Code Guide for Micro Charities
A guide to applying the principles of the Charity Governance Code, specially adapted for the smallest organisations.
Tool
Governance Health Check
This toolkit provides advice on how to develop and maintain a constructive and effective Board for your arts organisation. Published: February 2019.