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Tools and guidance

Tools and good-practice guidance to help you review, run and improve your board, compiled by NCVO's governance experts

  • Governance

Charity governance code

This guide explores how to implement a good appraisal process that supports and motivates your CEO to do even better.

Charity governance code guide for micro charities

A guide to applying the principles of the Charity Governance Code, specially adapted for the smallest organisations.

Governance wheel

The governance wheel is a simple tool that helps boards of voluntary organisations quickly get a sense of how well they’re functioning and fulfilling their roles.

Strategic planning

Information and tools on strategic planning.

Trustee recruitment pack for small organisations

Six steps to follow when recruiting trustees and nine editable documents to aid your recruitment

Trustee skills audit

A skills audit is a useful way of identifying what trustees bring, and the gaps in skills and knowledge on your board. It can be useful when you’re looking to recruit new trustees.

Individual trustee self reflection

Self reflection is an important part of your professional development and will help you to do your role effectively.

Individual trustee performance reviews

Guidance on conducting individual trustee performance reviews

  • Governance

Financial procedures manual

Templates and guidance for creating a financial procedures manual that will provide a framework for managing your organisation's finances.

  • Governance

Spring Statement 2025: what it means for charities

  • Funding and income
  • Government and politics

The Road Ahead 2025

  • Government and politics

The importance of project management in the voluntary sector

  • Business planning and strategy

Power of Small project report

The Power of Small: championing small organisations across the sector

  • Impact and evaluation

How your charity can make the most of Small Charity Week

Practical ways to take part in Small Charity Week – from sharing your story to getting free training, funding support and expert advice.

  • Cost of living
  • Campaigning

194 small charities selected for Small Charity Week match funding campaign

  • Collaboration
  • Funding and income

Civil society’s priorities for the new Covenant

A new report by NCVO and ACEVO sets out six key recommendations to make the Civil Society Covenant meaningful, based on feedback from over 1,000 organisations.

  • Campaigning
  • Government and politics

What Spending Review 2025 means for charities

Explore how the 2025 Spending Review affects charities – including changes to welfare, school meals, NICs and local government funding.

  • Funding and income
  • Government and politics

How to influence the new government effectively

  • Campaigning
  • Government and politics

Service Directory

Our Service Directory connect members with specialists who can save our members time and money. Each specialist has experience working with charities and voluntary organisations.

  • Finance
  • HR and recruitment
  • IT and data protection

What is divestment?

Learn about what divestment is and the aims and impacts of divesting from fossil fuels

  • Campaigning

Deciding to set up a new charitable organisation

Access our guidance to help you decide if you should set up a new charity, voluntary organisation or community group

  • Setting up

Choosing your legal structure

What you need to consider when choosing your legal structure and the main characteristics of different legal structures

  • Setting up

Understanding charity status and registration

Find out what charity status is and if you need to register as a charity

  • Setting up

Understanding social enterprise

Find out about social enterprises and their associated legal structures

  • Setting up

A charity's governing document: What it should include

Find out what information should be included in your charity's governing document

  • Setting up

Introduction to employment law

Understand your core legal responsibilities to your employees

  • Employing and managing staff

Understanding employment law

A short summary of your general legal obligations to paid members of staff

  • Employing and managing staff

Conditions of employment

A quick introduction to employment law on the conditions of employment

  • Employing and managing staff

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

Developing a Fundraising Strategy (0.5 day)

Learn how to build a more intentional approach to your fundraising for a more financially sustainable future.

Better impact reporting (0.5 day)

This practical session will build your awareness of different types of reporting and support you to tell a compelling story through your reporting

Leading change and transformation (2 days)

This practical two-day course for aspiring and existing charity leaders will build your confidence and skills to deliver impact for yourself and your organisation. Learn who your key stakeholders are and how to use communication tools to build engagement and partnerships

Safeguarding essentials in charities (1 day)

All voluntary organisations have a duty to keep the people they work with safe from harm. This course introduces the basics of safeguarding within a charity context in England and highlights effective safeguarding practice

Leading a thriving organisational culture (1 Day)

This training provides you with the insights, tools, and confidence to evaluate and strengthen your organisation’s culture providing a strong foundation for success.

Safeguarding essentials for trustees (0.5 day)

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

eLearning: Roles and duties of trustees

Trustees play an important role in making sure charities are well-managed and can achieve their aims. This accessible, interactive trustee eLearning course lets you study in your own time and at your own pace so you can fit around your schedule and priorities.