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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

Read the new Code, which sets out principles of good governance for charities.

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

Before you start

How to use NCVO's financial procedures manual template

  • Governance

National service and volunteering: A guide to the Conservative party’s policy announcement

  • Government and politics

Introducing NCVO’s new president and ambassador

Learn more about our new president, Baroness Delyth Morgan, and ambassador, Lord Simon Woolley

  • Inside NCVO

The Voluntary Sector Manifesto: Raising our voice

  • Government and politics

What the general election manifestos mean for the voluntary sector

  • Government and politics

Civil society hustings highlights

A round-up of the key talking points from the only national hustings dedicated to the voluntary sector

  • Government and politics
  • Campaigning

General election 2024: What charities can expect from a Labour government

Our analysis of the election result and what it means for the voluntary sector

  • Government and politics

An open letter to Keir Starmer

Our chief executive, Sarah Elliott, shares our vision for the sector on behalf of our members

  • Government and politics

Labour’s priorities ‒ our guide for the charity sector

Our analysis of Labour's first few days in government and what their announcements could mean for the charity sector

  • Government and politics

AI and small charities: Be part of our collective learning journey

NCVO and Microsoft UK share findings from our recent artificial intelligence (AI) event – along with opportunities for ongoing learning

  • Collaboration
  • Digital and technology

King's speech 2024: What do charities need to know?

The King's speech sets out the new Labour government's priorities for the months ahead, following the party's general election victory.

  • Government and politics

Getting ideas and support when choosing software

How to compare and consider different digital tools and software

  • Digital and technology

Comparing software and making decisions

Use this page to understand how to create a comparison grid (or assessment framework) and make decisions around digital tools

  • Digital and technology

Reflection and learning about software or tools

How to test and learn to make sure you're using the right tools in the right way

  • Digital and technology

Rolling out software and tools across an organisation

Use this page for practical tips on ways to drive software and technology adoption within your organisation.

  • Digital and technology

Responsible and ethical use of technology

Guidance around using technology responsibly and ethically in your organisation

  • Digital and technology

Understanding responsible and ethical use of technology

Use this page to understand why you need a plan to manage ethical risks when you use technology

  • Digital and technology

Technology — when good intentions go wrong

Use this page to explore imagined-from-life examples which look at the ethical challenges involved in technology and what can go wrong

  • Digital and technology

Consequence scanning when you work with technology

How to reduce technology-based risk within your organisations

  • Digital and technology

The digital maturity matrix

The digital maturity matrix is a simple tool to assess your current strengths and weaknesses, and helps you see what you need to do next to improve.

How AI can help small charities

Understanding artificial intelligence (AI) and how small charities can use it to improve their work.

  • Digital and technology

Charity finance strategy (1 day)

This course will give you an overview of how to build a simple finance strategy. We’ll introduce tools to help you build the financial resilience of your charity

Advanced data protection (2 x 0.5 days)

This advanced course is specifically for data protection leads or officers in charitable organisations.

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

NCVO member welcome and refresher session

Join this session to explore your NCVO member benefits and learn more about our supportive community.

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

Data protection essentials (2 x 0.5 days)

This course will take you through the essentials of lawful data processing for charities and help improve your compliance with the law

Developing a Fundraising Strategy (0.5 day)

Learn how to develop your first fundraising strategy. This course is aimed at small to medium-sized charities looking to grow their fundraising offer.

Successful funding applications (0.5 day)

Learn Practical tips to ensure you are successful in your funding bid applications.

Webinar: charity trading essentials

Explore charity trading and when to consider a trading subsidiary.

Tools and methods for measuring outcomes (1 day)

Get an introduction to data collection methods and practical guidance for evaluating your work