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Legal compliance checklist

This document contains a list of legal aspects that need to be covered by most voluntary organisations.

Political campaigning

Guidance to help you campaign with confidence during an election

  • Government and politics
  • Campaigning

Financial management

Guidance, techniques and tools for managing your organisation's finances

  • Financial management

What's different about charity finance

Find out what makes charity finance different and how to plan appropriately

  • Financial management

Processes, procedures and controls

What controls you need to put in place to stop errors creeping into your accounting, and to reduce the risk of fraud

  • Financial management

Internal controls

Internal controls are the things you do to help manage the risk of an error or a fraud

  • Financial management

Fraud

How to be aware of the risk factors relating to fraud and take steps to protect your organisation.

  • Financial management

Audit and independent examination

The difference between audits and independent examinations and how to prepare for both

  • Financial management

Record keeping and accounting

The basic principles of bookkeeping are the same for charities as for other organisations, you just need to be aware of the slightly different emphasis and the need to keep restricted funds separate.

  • Financial management

Latest findings suggest shift from formal volunteering during pandemic

Latest research showcases a mixed picture on the time and the availability of volunteers. According to the latest results of the Covid-19 Voluntary Sector Impact Barometer, 40% of the 710 respondents have experienced a decrease in the amount of unpaid tim

  • Coronavirus

NCVO predicts better than expected year-end financial position and announces new leadership team

NCVO is predicting better than expected year-end financial results for 2020-21 and has today announced a new leadership team who will work with interim CEO Sarah Vibert and the board of trustees.

  • Inside NCVO

Latest research reveals mixed impact of pandemic on volunteering numbers despite more positive outlook, increased diversity and rise of the digital volunteer

Ahead of the launch of Volunteers’ Week 2021, 1-7 June, new research has revealed a far more mixed impact from the pandemic for charities and volunteer numbers than many headlines have suggested.

  • Coronavirus

Volunteers' week 2021: A time to say thanks to all volunteers during the pandemic

The theme of this year’s Volunteers’ Week is ‘A time to say thanks’. The aim of the week is to encourage recognition of the efforts of people from all walks of life around the UK who took the time to volunteer and make a huge difference to their communiti

  • Involving volunteers

Majority of charities have plans in place to address equality, diversity and inclusion, but impact of pandemic and resources are barriers to increasing diversity

The latest research from the covid-19 voluntary sector impact barometer reveals that while the majority of charities and voluntary sector organisations have drawn up plans to address equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) issues in their workplace

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

Governance and board update from Priya Singh, chair, on behalf of the board of trustees

Governance and board update from Priya Singh, chair, on behalf of the board of trustees

  • Inside NCVO

NCVO and ACEVO join forces to support charities on flexible working

A new working group to look at the issue of flexible working in the charity sector is being launched by membership bodies NCVO and ACEVO with support from Starfish Search, an executive search firm

  • Employing and managing staff

New survey shows 81% of charities changed how they use digital technology during the pandemic

The latest research from the Covid-19 Voluntary Sector Impact Barometer reveals big changes in how charities and voluntary sector organisations are using digital technology to work and deliver services due to the pandemic.

  • Coronavirus
  • Digital and technology

Dual bottom line analysis

  • Business planning and strategy

Forcefield analysis

Use this tool to help you identify the forces working for and against a particular option

  • Business planning and strategy

Even over statements

Use this tool to help your organisation explore tradeoffs

  • Business planning and strategy

Deciding to close

Important things to consider before deciding to close your voluntary organisation

  • Closing down

Reasons to close

Every voluntary organisation should regularly ask whether it’s still well placed to achieve its goals

Alternatives to closure

If your organisation is still financially viable, you may want to consider alternative options to closure

Factors to consider before closing

Whatever your reasons for considering closure, you’re likely to have legal responsibilities to follow

Planning for closure

Steps you need to take before closing your organisation

  • Closing down

Create a closure plan

Depending on your route to closure and your legal structure, you may have different legal duties and wider responsibilities

Plan your closure communications

Once the decision has been made to close, you’ll need to decide who to inform and how to inform them

Data protection essentials (2 x 0.5 days)

This essentials course is suitable for anyone within an organisation that handles the personal data of staff, service users, beneficiaries, volunteers, customers, members or supporters, and needs to know the basics of data protection for voluntary organisations.

Safeguarding essentials for trustees (0.5 day)

This introductory course explains the key trustee responsibilities for safeguarding, following guidance from the Charity Commission

Project management in the voluntary sector (2 days)

This practical course is specifically tailored to the voluntary sector. It’s designed to give you all the principles and practical tools you need to plan, deliver and evaluate your project successfully

Designated safeguarding leads in charities (1 day)

This one-day training course provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of safeguarding leads in charities in England

Small Charity Week 2025 Webinar: Top tips to create an effective fundraising strategy

This free webinar as part of Small Charity Week 2025, will give small charity leaders practical tips to develop and deliver a successful fundraising strategy to ensure the resilience and sustainability of their charity.

Trust fundraising in a challenging climate: Over to you

We know that increased competition for funding, shifting priorities among funders, and economic uncertainty are making trust fundraising more challenging for charities. It’s more important than ever to understand the evolving funding landscape and adapt your approach. This free event is an opportunity to network with other NCVO members in facilitated discussions. Share experiences and challenges, work through solutions together, develop new relationships and learn from your peers.

Theory of change for strategic planning and evaluation (1 day)

Learn how to create your own theory of change and narrative. This course will challenge you to think critically about what you're doing and why

Charity finance skills (1 day)

This course will help people with little or no financial background to feel confident in managing day-to-day charity finance

Supporting good governance (4 x 0.5 days)

This course will help you implement structures and processes to support trustees, and ensure systems are aligned with your organisation’s purpose and objectives

Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in charity governance (2 x 0.5 days)

This course has been created by The Social Justice Collective to help you understand, address and embed equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) into your governance practice