Trusteeship and governance
What makes a good trustee? How do I find good trustees? What training should trustees have? How should we include beneficiaries as trustees?
We believe the quality of trustees can make or break a charity or funder. Being a good trustee is not just about finance and risk, but grasping opportunities and maximising social impact. Our guide on What good governance looks like draws on our knowledge of working with charities and funders. We use these insights to explore how trustees can lead their organisations to do the best for their beneficiaries.
Through our resources, training and consulting, we help trustees to:
- Stay focussed on the purpose of governance
- Get the most from fellow trustees
- Adopt best practices and processes
Each year we help run the Charity Governance Awards, celebrating inspirational good practice in the sector.
We’re continually learning and sharing best practice, discussing new ideas and policies to improve governance across the charity sector. Stay on top of the conversation by coming to one of our trustee seminars. Get in touch for more on how we can help you.
We are very grateful to the Clothworkers’ Company for supporting our seminars on improving trusteeship across the charity sector.
Featured resources on good governance
Charity boards in recovery
We have partnered with decision-science consultancy Leapwise to explore how decision making by charity boards has changed during the crisis, and to provide support on how to strengthen this for the next chapter.
Above and beyond in trusteeship: What good governance looks like
This guide 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. We use these insights to explore how boards can get the most from their organisations and do the best for their beneficiaries.
The Charity Governance Awards
Supporting and celebrating outstanding charity trusteeship in organisations across the sector, regardless of size.
Walking the Talk
Walking the Talk is our cross-sector partnership to help charities improve their diversity
It starts from the top: Improving governance, improving impact
This policy paper outlines how we can improve charity governance and, by extension, the impact of the sector as a whole. In it, we address some key governance issues, and make recommendations to a number of key players in the sector and beyond.
Impact reporting: What trustees need to know
In this short briefing, we explain why impact reporting can help trustees do their job, and how they can encourage their charities to report on impact. We also outline what good impact reporting looks like so trustees can support the process.
Diversity in governance: The what, why and how
This paper 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.
Focusing on impact: What do trustees need to know?
NPC’s briefing paper on how trustees can ensure their charities are focusing on impact.
What makes a good charity? NPC’s guide to charity analysis
NPC's step-by-step guide to charity analysis, outlining our tried and tested approach which focuses on the key characteristics we believe are common to all effective charities.
Latest updates
Retaining and empowering volunteers through and beyond Covid-19
The pandemic has shone a spotlight on volunteers and accelerated some trends that were already in progress before Covid-19 hit. What should trustees be doing to ensure their charity is harnessing the power of volunteers?
How can trustees help charities harness digital?
Covid-19 has accelerated the transition to digital for many charities. Trustees need to decide how to capitalise upon digital innovations and how to integrate new working practices with some of their charity's more traditional approaches.
What to do as a trustee of a struggling charity
Five things to keep in mind when times are tough.
Good governance is rewarding
Reward your trustees for their work during this crisis and learn from those who showed resilience over this tough period.
Setting your charity’s reserves policy through and beyond Covid-19
Reserves are meant for a rainy day, and Covid-19 is undoubtedly such a day. What types of reserves should a charity hold and how should trustees handle them in the current climate?
Charity boards in recovery
We have partnered with decision-science consultancy Leapwise to explore how decision making by charity boards has changed during the crisis, and to provide support on how to strengthen this for the next chapter.
How can trustees build resilience through and beyond the Covid-19 crisis?
Trustees need to enable their charities to deliver their mission post-crisis. At a recent NPC and Clothworkers’ Company seminar, two charity leaders discussed what trustees should now be thinking about, as we move on from the initial Covid-19 crisis and into the recovery.
How to improve diversity and inclusion on trustee boards
Four charity leaders spoke about diversity and inclusion at a 2019 NPC and Clothworkers’ Company seminar. At this event, the speakers discussed their experiences of recruiting and supporting a diverse mix of trustees.
What should charity trustees be thinking about?
A charity’s trustees are responsible for identifying, prioritising and managing its risks, as well as opportunities. As this crisis drags on, and a major recession becomes ever more likely, many will need to switch focus to how they deliver their mission over the medium term.
Big words, big numbers, and big ideas
Will Hanford, NPC’s communication manager, attended his first ever NPC Ignites this year and has written a blog on the highlights of his experience. He detects a strong theme of power, particularly the power wielded both consciously and unconsciously by funders, running through the day.
Celebrating good governance
Here NPC Consultant Oli Kelly-Dean summarises the shortlisted and winning charities from the Charity Governance Awards 2019.
