19 October 2017
Running a charity isn’t easy. There are finances to be managed and reported, governing documents to be written and updated, trustees to be recruited and appointed, and a considerable number of rules and regulations to comply with. There is, however, a wealth of information out there to guide you through these processes and help you run your charity efficiently. This week, we thought we would bring to your attention three keys sources of information that will prove beneficial as you go about running your charity.
Charity Commission’s publication scheme
Every charity should be aware of the Charity Commission’s publication scheme which can be found here on the gov.uk website. The Commission publishes regular guidance to assist trustees on a whole range of topics from fundraising and governance to some very specific issues such as the use of church halls for charitable purposes and the management of trustee expenses. These publications are an invaluable resource for charities and you should refer to them regularly.
Charity Commission’s quarterly update
The Commission’s quarterly update provides essential information for trustees and, among other things, provides updates on policy changes, pertinent issues affecting the sector, and reporting deadlines to help charities run as effectively as possible. The most recent issue offers guidance on submitting 2017 annual returns and reporting serious incidents, as well as introducing the new Chief Executive of the Commission.
UHY’s charity sector outlook
Additionally we have just published our charity and not-for-profit sector outlook, which looks at a number of issues currently impacting on the sector and discusses how they could affect your charity. Topics include the forthcoming requirements with respect to GDPR, current VAT matters and an enlightening interview with Alison Talbot, Chief Executive of Cerebral Palsy Sport. I also provide an update on the Charity Commission’s new powers and we take a look at the lessons that can be learned from the collapse of Kids Company. If you’ve not yet seen it, please click here.
If you would like professional guidance on any charity or NFP related matter, please don’t hesitate to contact me or your local charity specialist.
