The Charity Commission undertakes annual research which relates closely to their statutory objectives, including increasing public trust and confidence in charities, promoting compliance by charity trustees with their legal obligations and enhancing the accountability of charities to donors, beneficiaries and the wider public.
The 2023 research has confirmed the following key findings:
- Public Trust: Charities continue to be well regarded and highly trusted, ranking second only to doctors. The research shows that the public are more likely to trust charities that are small, local or where they feel a personal connection to the cause. Charity registration also provides further reassurance to the public.
- Trustee’s Role: Trustees continue to feel confident that they understand what the public expects of them. Both Trustees and the public generally feel that charities should avoid excessive risk and focus on their core purposes when deciding how to spend funds. Equally, the public feels charities should not be so cautious that they end up simply accumulating money.
- Charity Commission function: In relation to the Charity Commission’s regulatory function, 81% of trustees who have been in contact with the Commission feel they have been treated fairly. 95% of Trustees are also confident that the Commission will deal appropriately with any wrongdoing. The awareness by Trustees of the Commission’s 5-minute guides has also increased. You can view these guides here or in the Advice & Guidance page on VODA’s website.
Any further queries? VODA can offer support, advice and training to your VCSE group. Please contact VODA’s Core Services Team by telephone on 0191 643 2636 or by email on development@voda.org.uk.
