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Back to school – 6 checks for your charity to do at the start of the new academic year

28th August 2024 by Edwina Bones

Categories: Charity News
Tags: best practice, charity, governing document, legislation

As a child, the first few days of September always brought about mixed emotions. Whilst there was the obvious sadness of another summer holiday coming to an end (a sentiment I doubt my parents shared), a part of me was excited at the thought of starting a new term. With each new writing book came the opportunity to start afresh and improve upon the “old” me from the year before.

Whilst the majority of us may regrettably no longer have the benefits of six week holidays, we can still treat September as a chance to review and improve upon our habits as we enter a new academic year.

Here are six checks that your charity would be well advised to carry out:

1. Review your governing document: Does you governing document still reflect the way in which your charity wants to operate? If your objects clause is not wide enough, or you struggle to get enough attendees to your meetings to ensure that they are quorate, then it might be time to update your constitution. Even if you do not need to make any changes, it is always useful to remind yourself of your charity’s obligations.
2. Identify any upcoming changes in legislation, rules and best practice: Time waits for no man (or charity) and there are a number of changes to fundraising, data protection and accountancy rules and regulations. Make sure that you are aware of these changes in sufficient time to prepare for them.
3. Review your skills and resource base: Consider whether you are making the most of the resources that are available to you and whether you are missing any skill sets. Do you need to get training, or employ someone new? Are you doing all you should be to keep your assets safe and reduce the risk of liability?
4. Review your structure: If your charity has changed dramatically over its lifespan, or you did not seek advice when you first set up your charity, then it might be worth reviewing the various structures that are available to you. Setting up a separate trading company might help to protect your charity’s assets for example, and incorporation might help to limit the liability of your trustees.
5. Consider training: If it has been a while since your staff and volunteers were reminded of the way in which they should be looking after personal data, or handling fundraising money, then consider having a training session.
6. Review your website and marketing: Is your website up to date? Does it include all the information required of it? And have you read the Commission’s guidance on social media and taken any necessary steps to ensure that you are complying with it? If not, then it is important to do so.

Embrace your inner geek at the start of this school year in order to help ensure that your charity is heading in the right direction.

If you have any questions about charity law then please contact Edwina Bones on 01202 377824 or at e.bones@laceyssolicitors.co.uk.