Strengthening Charity Governance for Greater Impact

Strong governance is critical for charities to secure funding, meet regulatory expectations, and effectively serve their communities. The Charity Governance Code provides a framework to help trustees and leadership teams improve accountability, decision-making, and operational oversight. 

Funders and regulators increasingly expect charities to demonstrate compliance with governance best practices. A governance review can help charities assess their current structures, identify areas for improvement, and build a stronger, more sustainable organisation. 

 For further insight into why governance, strategy, and sustainability are key to a charity’s long-term success, read our article: Governance, Strategy, and Sustainability: The Hidden Value of Charity Overheads 

Why Governance Matters for Charities

Charities that do not prioritise governance risk financial, operational, and reputational challenges, including: 

  • Difficulty securing funding due to concerns over accountability 
  • Regulatory scrutiny and compliance failures 
  • Board and leadership teams lacking the right governance skills and training 
  • Inefficient decision-making and poor strategic planning 

A governance review helps charities understand where they stand and what steps they need to take to strengthen board effectiveness, stakeholder confidence, and long-term resilience. 

How to Get Started

We offer two ways for charities to assess their governance effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.  

Option 1: Board Skills Assessment

A free assessment for charity trustees and board members to evaluate governance skills against best-practice standards. 

  • Covers key governance competencies relevant to charities 
  • Includes a 30-minute consultation to discuss results 
  • Identifies governance strengths and areas for improvement 
  • Available as a free tool, with the option to upgrade to a full Board Development Plan 

Option 2: Board Governance Review

A structured review that assesses board and committee effectiveness in line with the Charity Governance Code. 

  • Uses the Board Governance Review to evaluate governance performance 
  • Includes a free review of one governance segment, with the option to upgrade 
  • Helps charities identify gaps in compliance and governance effectiveness 
  • Provides clear recommendations for strengthening governance structures 

Get in touch

We would be pleased to answer any queries or have an informal chat to discuss your possible governance needs.