Charity trustee research 2022
Published 14 July 2022
Applies to England and Wales
Research conducted on behalf of the Charity Commission by Yonder.
April 2022
Executive summary
Since 2020, there has been little change in trustees’ understanding of their role and their confidence in performing it
Trustees are highly confident that they know what their role entails and that they are able to fulfil it in the time available to them. They also feel confident that they are able to protect their charity from wrongdoing and harm.
As in previous years, most trustees recognise the making of important decisions as their responsibility, while their understanding of what qualifies as a conflict of interest is as it was last year - generally sound but with some room for greater clarity.
Trustees believe that when charities don’t meet public expectations, this is more likely due to charities not being aware of public requirements rather than public lack of knowledge on charity complexity. However, some trustees seem less sure than before of what those expectations are.
Trustees see most areas of governance as their responsibility, but not so many think it is their role to deal with the Commission.
Trustees are generally confident in the Commission’s ability to deal with wrongdoing once it has been highlighted and that it will be able to uncover wrongdoing, but they are markedly more confident in the former than the latter.
Where the pandemic has had an impact, it is principally evident in the greater use of online facilities
When it comes to looking for guidance in their role, the increasing reliance on the internet is a notable trend with 59% saying they search online one or more times a year in 2022 compared to 41% in 2020.
Although the impact of the pandemic in forcing activities, meetings and services online is less pronounced than in 2021 during the midst of the pandemic, the change is still clearly present, particularly in larger charities.
Whilst we have seen a reduction in the adaptations made due to the pandemic, it seems likely that many trustees will continue to make greater use of digital facilities in their role.
This underscores the importance of the Commission providing accessible help and increasing awareness of online guidance, as most trustees are not currently aware of the 5-minutes guides.
The Covid pandemic continues to drive the adoption of online practices, especially in larger charities
There has been a reduction in adaptations made to charities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there still are some concerns about recruitment and charity viability
Changes the charity made regarding adopting online practises
Statement | 2022 | 2021 |
---|---|---|
Moved trustee meetings online | 47% | 67% |
Moved services or activities online | 21% | 38% |
Struggling to adapt to using new technology | 3% | Question not asked in 2021 |
Changes the charity made regarding modifying working arrangements
Statement | 2022 | 2021 |
---|---|---|
Have stopped some services** | 19% | 43% |
Changed our activities | 15% | 28% |
Formed new partnerships or joint working arrangements | 11% | 8% |
Changes the charity made with recruitment and employment
Statement | 2022 | 2021 |
---|---|---|
Struggling to recruit people with the right skills | 17% | Question not asked in 2021 |
Finding it easier to recruit people with the right skills | 2% | Question not asked in 2021 |
Struggling to adapt to new working patterns | 2% | Question not asked in 2021 |
Finding it easier to do our jobs because of new working patterns | 2% | Question not asked in 2021 |
Changes the charity made in regard to financial practices
Statement | 2022 | 2021 |
---|---|---|
Concerned about the long-term viability of our charity | 16% | Question not asked in 2021 |
Found new sources of funding | 11% | 14% |
None of the above changes made
Statement | 2022 | 2021 |
---|---|---|
None of the above | 22% | 14% |
Q. In what ways, if any, has your charity changed or adapted as result of the Covid pandemic and its effects? Base (3,662) ** In 2021, the text was ‘Stopped some services’, in 2022 the answer code was updated to ‘We have stopped some services or activities that are no longer as relevant, feasible or effective’
Larger charities are much more likely to have moved meetings and activities online
Changes the charity made regarding adopting online practises
Statement | £0-10k | £10k-£100k | £100k-500k | £500k+ |
---|---|---|---|---|
Moved trustee meetings online | 33% | 49% | 69% | 79% |
Moved services or activities online | 13% | 18% | 40% | 46% |
Struggling to adapt to using new technology | 3% | 3% | 3% | 2% |
Changes the charity made regarding modifying working arrangements
Statement | £0-10k | £10k-£100k | £100k-500k | £500k+ |
---|---|---|---|---|
Have stopped some services | 16% | 20% | 23% | 19% |
Changed our activities | 13% | 14% | 22% | 19% |
Formed new partnerships or joint working arrangements | 6% | 11% | 22% | 26% |
Changes the charity made with recruitment and employment
Statement | £0-10k | £10k-£100k | £100k-500k | £500k+ |
---|---|---|---|---|
Struggling to recruit people with the right skills | 16% | 17% | 17% | 21% |
Finding it easier to recruit people with the right skills | 1% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
Struggling to adapt to new working patterns | 2% | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Finding it easier to do our jobs because of new working patterns | 1% | 2% | 5% | 6% |
Changes the charity made in regard to financial practices
Statement | £0-10k | £10k-£100k | £100k-500k | £500k+ |
---|---|---|---|---|
Concerned about the long-term viability of our charity | 15% | 16% | 19% | 16% |
Found new sources of funding | 6% | 13% | 18% | 22% |
None of the above changes made
Statement | £0-10k | £10k-£100k | £100k-500k | £500k+ |
---|---|---|---|---|
None of the above | 30% | 20% | 9% | 5% |
Q. In what ways, if any, has your charity changed or adapted as result of the Covid pandemic and its effects? Base (3,662)
Trustees remain broadly confident that they understand public expectations
The public and trustees have similar views on many issues affecting charities
Statement A | Mean public score | Mean charity trustee score | Statement B |
CEO pay If a charity is as big and complex as some businesses in the private sector, the charity’s CEO should be paid the same as CEOs for businesses in the private sector |
6.82 | 5.79 |
CEO pay The nature of charity work means that it is wrong that some charity CEOs are paid the same as CEOs in the private sector |
Statement A | Mean public score | Mean charity trustee score | Statement B |
The regulator The charity regulator should confine its role to making sure charities stick to the letter of the laws that govern charitable activity |
5.55 | 5.57 |
The regulator The charity regulator should try to make sure charities fulfil their wider responsibilities to society as well as sticking to the letter of the laws governing charitable activity |
Statement A | Mean public score | Mean charity trustee score | Statement B |
---|---|---|---|
Charitable endeavour Charitable endeavour is something that only charities do |
2.47 | 4.76 |
Charitable endeavour Charitable endeavour is something anyone can undertake |
Statement A | Mean public score | Mean charity trustee score | Statement B |
---|---|---|---|
Behaviour standards My charity ought to have the same standards of conduct and behaviour as any other organisation |
5.05 | 4.00 |
Behaviour standards Because of the work it does, my charity’s standards of conduct and behaviour ought to be higher than in other organisations |
Statement A | Mean public score | Mean charity trustee score | Statement B |
---|---|---|---|
Change in society There’s nothing wrong with charities pushing for change in society, if it helps them meet the needs of those who rely on them |
4.31 | 3.95 |
Change in society Charities should focus on meeting the needs of those who rely on them, rather than pushing for change in society |
Statement A | Mean public score | Mean charity trustee score | Statement B |
---|---|---|---|
Role in public life Charities should respond to social and cultural debates if they want to stay relevant and keep the support of the public |
4.78 | 3.68 |
Collective responsibility As a registered charity our only responsibility is to uphold the reputation of our own organisation |
Statement A | Mean public score | Mean charity trustee score | Statement B |
---|---|---|---|
Collective responsibility As a registered charity we have a collective responsibility to uphold the reputation of charity more generally |
3.57 | 3.71 |
Collective responsibility As a registered charity our only responsibility is to uphold the reputation of our own organisation |
Statement A | Mean public score | Mean charity trustee score | Statement B |
---|---|---|---|
The how The way our charity goes about meeting its charitable purpose is as important as whether it fulfils that charitable purpose or not |
4.31 | 3.95 |
The how It is more important that our charity fulfils its charitable purpose than how it goes about doing so |
Q. Please read the following pairs of statements. In each case, please indicate which statement you agree with, using a 0-10 scale on which 0 means you completely agree with statement A, and 10 means you completely agree with statement B. Base (3,662). Question wording slightly adapted for public survey.
The majority of trustees say they understand how public expectations should shape their charities’ work, but some seem less sure than before
Participants were presented with the statement and asked to say where their view lay, where 0 would mean total agreement with statement A and 10 would mean total agreement with statement B. Here, we show the percentages who tend towards each quoted statement (scores of 0-4, or 6-10), and those ‘on the fence’ (5). Statement orders were rotated.
Year | Public expectation - I have a clear understanding about how public expectations ought to shape the way charities go about doing what they do | On the fence | Public expectation - I am unclear about how public expectations ought to shape the way charities go about doing what they do |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | 55% | 26% | 20% |
2021 | 58% | 25% | 17% |
2020 | 67% | 16% | 17% |
Q. Please read the following pairs of statements. In each case, please indicate which statement you agree with, using a 0-10 scale on which 0 means you completely agree with statement A, and 10 means you completely agree with statement B. Base: 2022 (3,622), 2021 (2,713), 2020 (1,309)
Trustees believe that when charities don’t meet public expectations, this is more likely due to charities not taking care to meet those expectations rather than public lack of knowledge on charity complexity
Participants were presented with the statement and asked to say where their view lay, where 0 would mean total agreement with statement A and 10 would mean total agreement with statement B. Here, we show the percentages who tend towards each quoted statement (scores of 0-4, or 6-10), and those ‘on the fence’ (5). Statement orders were rotated.
Year | Where charities fall short of public expectations it is usually because the public doesn’t understand the complexities and difficulties involved | On the fence | Where charities fall short of public expectations it is usually because charities don’t spend enough time and trouble understanding those expectations and trying to meet them |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | 25% | 31% | 44% |
2021 | 23% | 30% | 46% |
2020 | 36% | 25% | 39% |
Q. Please read the following pairs of statements. In each case, please indicate which statement you agree with, using a 0-10 scale on which 0 means you completely agree with statement A, and 10 means you completely agree with statement B. Base: 2022 (3,622), 2021 (2,713), 2020 (1,309)
Most trustees feel very confident in their own ability to protect their charity from wrongdoing, particularly trustees from smaller charities
My ability to protect my own charity and its beneficiaries from wrongdoing and harm
Confidence | Total | £0-10k | £10k-£100k | £100k-500k | £500k+ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very confident | 63% | 67% | 64% | 61% | 56% |
Somewhat confident | 35% | 31% | 34% | 38% | 43% |
Not very confident | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 0% |
Not confident at all | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Q. How confident are you in each of the following? Base (3,662)
And as last year, almost all trustees are at least somewhat confident that they are able to protect their charity
My ability to protect my own charity and its beneficiaries from wrongdoing and harm
Confidence | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|
Very confident | 63% | 62% | 53% |
Somewhat confident | 35% | 36% | 44% |
Not very confident | 2% | 1% | 3% |
Not confident at all | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Q. How confident are you in each of the following? Base: 2022 (3,622), 2021 (2,713), 2020 (1,309)
Trustees continue to see the Commission as better at dealing with wrongdoing than uncovering it
The majority of trustees are still very confident that the Commission will deal appropriately with wrongdoing once uncovered
That instances of wrongdoing and harm once uncovered will be dealt with appropriately by the Charity Commission
Confidence | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|
Very confident | 54% | 53% | 46% |
Somewhat confident | 40% | 42% | 44% |
Not very confident | 5% | 4% | 9% |
Not confident at all | 1% | 1% | 2% |
Q. How confident are you in each of the following? Base: 2022 (3,622), 2021 (2,713), 2020 (1,309)
There is also confidence that the Commission is able to uncover wrongdoing and harm, though less than for its ability to deal with it
The Charity Commission’s ability to uncover wrongdoing and harm when they occur in other charities
Confidence | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|
Very confident | 30% | 28% | 19% |
Somewhat confident | 56% | 57% | 56% |
Not very confident | 13% | 13% | 22% |
Not confident at all | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Q. How confident are you in each of the following? Base: 2022 (3,622), 2021 (2,713), 2020 (1,309)
Trustees typically understand that various governing activities are the collective responsibility of trustees, but many think that specific individuals are responsible for keeping the Commission up to date
Except for a few areas, they are generally confident about how decisions should or should not be made
Trustees see most governance tasks as their responsibility, but some don’t recognise their shared responsibility for accounts or updating the Commission
Responsibility | The Board of Trustees jointly | The Chair | Staff or managers | The Secretary | The Treasurer | Other/ Don’t know |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ensuring that all the charity’s activities help to achieve the purposes for which it was set up | 92% | 4% | 2% | 1% | 1% | |
Ensuring the charity’s governing document, policies & procedures are fit for purpose and being followed | 83% | 8% | 1% | 5% | 1% | 2% |
Making sure the charity’s resources are kept safe, properly used and accounted for | 78% | 4% | 3% | 2% | 12% | 1% |
Checking and approving the charity’s annual accounts and trustees’ report | 74% | 7% | 0% | 1% | 14% | 3% |
Managing conflicts of interest so that they don’t wrongly influence trustee decisions | 74% | 21% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 2% |
Keeping up to date with relevant Charity Commission guidance | 70% | 11% | 2% | 10% | 5% | 3% |
Making sure the charity sends the right information to the Commission at the right time | 51% | 15% | 3% | 15% | 14% | 2% |
Q. In your charity, who do you think is ultimately responsible for each of the following? Base (3,662)
Almost a quarter of trustees say it is an individual or a committee that makes important decisions, rather than the trustees collectively
Decision | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|---|
The trustees collectively | 77% | 78% | 80% |
An executive committee or sub-committee | 14% | 12% | 9% |
The Chair | 4% | 3% | 4% |
The CEO/senior staff | 3% | 4% | 4% |
Other | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Q. Who makes the important decisions in your charity? Base: 2022 (3,622), 2021 (2,713), 2020 (1,309)
Trustees continue to be clear on most ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ in decision making, but some are unsure about delegating responsibility or deferring to the chair
Things trustees should always do:
Delegating | Trustees should always do this | It depends | Trustees should never do this |
---|---|---|---|
Make sure they have all the information they need | 98% | 1% | |
Understand potential costs and what the charity can afford | 97% | 2% | |
Listen to different views and perspectives | 96% | 4% | |
Follow what it says in the charity’s governing document | 95% | 5% | |
Decide what is relevant to that decision | 88% | 11% | 1% |
Q. On a 0-10 scale where 0 means strongly disagree and 10 means strongly agree, can you tell us how strongly you agree or disagree with each of the following. Base (2009)
Things trustees should not do:
Delegation | Trustees should always do this | It depends | Trustees should never do this |
---|---|---|---|
Delegate responsibility for the decision to a sub-committee | 5%% | 71% | 24% |
Defer to the Chair | 8% | 66% | 25% |
Make decisions based on trustees’ personal views | 6% | 47% | 47% |
Just go along with the majority | 6% | 36% | 58% |
Avoid asking seemingly awkward questions | 10% | 17% | 72% |
Q. On a 0-10 scale where 0 means strongly disagree and 10 means strongly agree, can you tell us how strongly you agree or disagree with each of the following. Base (2009)
Trustees remain confident in how they govern charities and their understanding of conflicts of interest is generally sound
Understanding how to navigate the regulations around charities is still the area where help is most desired
Confidence has remained high. Most trustees are ‘very confident’ in their role, especially those from larger charities
Confidence | Total | £0-10k | £10k-£100k | £100k-500k | £500k+ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very confident | 56% | 57% | 56% | 58% | 61% |
Somewhat confident | 43% | 41% | 43% | 42% | 38% |
Not very confident | 2% | 2% | 1% | 0% | 1% |
Not confident at all | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Q. How confident are you in helping to manage or govern your charity in your role? Base: (3,662)
Trustees are generally comfortable with their responsibilities, but time pressures have increased since last year
Participants were presented with the statement and asked to say where their view lay, where 0 would mean total agreement with statement A and 10 would mean total agreement with statement B. Here, we show the percentages who tend towards each quoted statement (scores of 0-4, or 6-10), and those ‘on the fence’ (5). Statement orders were rotated.
Responsibilities I find my responsibilities for the charity overwhelming |
On the fence |
Responsibilities I am comfortable with the responsibilities I have for the charity |
7% | 6% | 86% |
Time I feel like I don’t have enough time to properly carry out everything I need to in my role |
On the fence |
Time I feel like I have time to properly carry out everything I need to in my role |
16% | 9% | 75% |
Regulations burden There are too many unnecessary rules and regulations for trustees to comply with |
On the fence |
Regulations burden The rules and regulations trustees have to comply with are important, and are not too much of a burden |
11% | 11% | 78% |
Q. Please read the following pairs of statements. In each case, please indicate which statement you agree with, using a 0-10 scale on which 0 means you completely agree with statement A, and 10 means you completely agree with statement B. Base (3,662)
Statement | Percentage change since last year |
---|---|
Responsibilities | -1% |
Time | -5% |
Regulations burden | -2% |
Q. Please read the following pairs of statements. In each case, please indicate which statement you agree with, using a 0-10 scale on which 0 means you completely agree with statement A, and 10 means you completely agree with statement B. Base 2022 (3,662), 2021 (2,713)
On the whole, trustees have a good understanding of what qualifies as a conflict of interest, but claiming for expenses is a blind-spot for some
It is a conflict of interest
Is it a conflict of interest to pay a hire fee to a trustee for letting the charity use their house for meetings?
Conflict of interest | % |
---|---|
Yes | 76% |
No | 16% |
Don’t know | 9% |
Is it a conflict of interest to pay a firm owned by a trustee to do some repair work for the charity – at a substantial discount?
Conflict of interest | % |
---|---|
Yes | 72% |
No | 19% |
Don’t know | 9% |
It is not a conflict of interest
Is it a conflict of interest to pay expenses to a trustee for travelling to a meeting?
Conflict of interest | % |
---|---|
Yes | 18% |
No | 74% |
Don’t know | 8% |
Is it a conflict of interest to pay an accountant who has no links to the charity for preparing the charity’s accounts?
Conflict of interest | % |
---|---|
Yes | 5% |
No | 90% |
Don’t know | 5% |
Q. In which of these scenarios do you think a conflict of interest arises? Base (3,662)
Trustees’ levels of understanding around conflicts of interest have remained broadly stable since 2021
Percentage of those who answered yes when asked if the below statements are a conflict of interest
It is a conflict of interest | 2022 | 2021 |
---|---|---|
Pay a hire fee to a trustee for letting the charity use their house for meetings | 76% | 79% |
Pay a firm owned by a trustee to do some repair work for the charity – at a substantial discount | 72% | 76% |
It is not a conflict of interest | 2022 | 2021 |
---|---|---|
Pay expenses to a trustee for travelling to a meeting | 18% | 17% |
Pay an accountant who has no links to the charity for preparing the charity’s accounts | 5% | 6% |
Q. In which of these scenarios do you think a conflict of interest arises? Base: 2022 (3,662), 2021 (2,713)
As last year, trustees’ needs are varied, but help with understanding regulations and paperwork would be most appreciated
Help and advise trustees would want about their role | 2022 | 2021 |
---|---|---|
Understanding regulations and paperwork | 30% | 29% |
Raising funds | 26% | 24% |
Understanding whether our charity is making the difference it should | 17% | 16% |
Filing information with the Charity Commission | 16% | 17% |
Understanding our accounts, accounting & reporting | 13% | 14% |
Investing our money | 13% | 14% |
Land and buildings | 11% | 12% |
Managing our finances | 9% | 9% |
Managing conflicts of interest | 9% | 9% |
Coming to collective decisions with other trustees | 6% | 7% |
Q. Which of the following, if any, do you think you might need help or advice about in your role? Base: 2022 (3,662), 2021 (2,713)
Trustees consider themselves to have a broad range of tasks, though there is less emphasis on the key issues of monitoring for fraud and managing risks
Task | Very much so | To some extent | To a limited extent | Not at all |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ensuring trustees, staff and volunteers act in the best interests of the charity | 88% | 9% | 2% | 0% |
Ensuring the charity is meeting all applicable legal requirements | 85% | 12% | 2% | 0% |
Ensuring resources are used as efficiently as possible | 84% | 14% | 2% | 0% |
Ensuring the charity has sufficient resources | 81% | 15% | 3% | 0% |
Ensuring the charity takes reasonable steps to protect people who come into contact with it | 77% | 16% | 4% | 1% |
Ensuring that the trustees work well as a team | 71% | 23% | 5% | 1% |
Understanding whether the charity is making a real difference | 66% | 27% | 5% | 0% |
Monitoring the risk of fraud to the charity | 66% | 20% | 9% | 2% |
Future planning | 65% | 28% | 5% | 1% |
Ensuring that the trustees jointly have the skills and knowledge they need | 60% | 31% | 7% | 1% |
Monitoring other risks to the charity | 57% | 31% | 9% | 1% |
Providing support and advice to staff and volunteers | 55% | 26% | 9% | 6% |
Other things | 21% | 34% | 12% | 4% |
Q. Which of the following things do you think the board of trustees at your charity regularly spend time on? Base (3,662)
Task | Percentage change of NET very much so/to some extent since last year |
---|---|
Ensuring trustees, staff and volunteers act in the best interests of the charity | -1% |
Ensuring the charity is meeting all applicable legal requirements | 0% |
Ensuring resources are used as efficiently as possible | 0% |
Ensuring the charity has sufficient resources | -1% |
Ensuring the charity takes reasonable steps to protect people who come into contact with it | 0% |
Ensuring that the trustees work well as a team | -1% |
Understanding whether the charity is making a real difference | -2% |
Monitoring the risk of fraud to the charity | -2% |
Future planning | -2% |
Ensuring that the trustees jointly have the skills and knowledge they need | -1% |
Monitoring other risks to the charity | -1% |
Providing support and advice to staff and volunteers | -2% |
Other things | 0% |
Q. Which of the following things do you think the board of trustees at your charity regularly spend time on? Base 2022 (3,662), 2021 (2,713)
The Charity Commission is typically not the first port of call for guidance, but when it is used it is deemed helpful
Those who use the Charity Commission for guidance, have a greater understanding of the support available and their duties
Trustees are twice as reliant on colleagues or other trustees and the internet as they are on the Commission for guidance
Guidance source | Several times a year | About once a year | Less than once a year | Never |
---|---|---|---|---|
A colleague or another trustee | 42% | 28% | 21% | 8% |
Looking on the internet | 35% | 24% | 20% | 22% |
A friend or family member (expert) | 11% | 17% | 24% | 48% |
The Charity Commission | 10% | 19% | 29% | 41% |
Another charity or advisory body | 9% | 14% | 14% | 62% |
A friend or family member (non-expert) | 5% | 8% | 16% | 71% |
Q. In the past, when you have been unsure about how to go about something in your role, how often have you used any of the following sources to seek help or guidance? Base (3,662)
Reliance on the Commission is stable while the proportion of trustees turning to the internet for guidance continues to increase
Percentage who used sources at least once a year
Guidance source | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|---|
A colleague or another trustee | 70% | 71% | 80% |
Looking on the internet | 59% | 55% | 41% |
The Charity Commission | 29% | 29% | 38% |
A friend or family member (expert) | 28% | 29% | 18% |
Another charity or advisory body | 23% | 24% | 15% |
A friend or family member (non-expert) | 13% | 13% | 8% |
Those who do go to the Charity Commission for guidance tend to find it helpful
This question was asked to those who had used the following sources for guidance.
Guidance source | Very helpful | Fairly helpful | Not very helpful | Not helpful at all |
---|---|---|---|---|
Another charity or advisory body | 64% | 30% | 3% | 3% |
A colleague or another trustee | 55% | 43% | 2% | 0% |
The Charity Commission | 44% | 49% | 5% | 1% |
A friend or family member (expert) | 36% | 57% | 6% | 2% |
Looking on the internet | 30% | 60% | 10% | 1% |
A friend or family member (non-expert) | 19% | 56% | 22% | 3% |
Q. You said you had used the following sources for help or guidance. How helpful did you find them? Base: another charity or advisory body (3,371), a colleague or another trustee (1,421), The Charity Commission (2,192), a friend or family member (expert) (1,914), looking on the internet (2,863), a friend or family (non-expert) (1,075)
The advice of colleagues and other trustees continues to be seen as the most helpful
Proportion of those who viewed the guidance as very or fairly helpful
Guidance source | 2022 | 2021 |
---|---|---|
A colleague or another trustee | 98% | 99% |
Another charity or advisory body | 94% | 95% |
The Charity Commission | 94% | 95% |
A friend or family member (expert) | 93% | 94% |
Looking on the internet | 90% | 90% |
A friend or family member (non-expert) | 75% | 82% |
Q. You said you had used the following sources for help or guidance. How helpful did you find them? Base: another charity or advisory body (3,371), a colleague or another trustee (1,421), The Charity Commission (2,192), a friend or family member (expert) (1,914), looking on the internet (2,863), a friend or family (non-expert) (1,075)
As in previous years, those who do not go to the Charity Commission for advice tend to say it is because they don’t often feel in need of help
Reasons for not using Charity Commission guidance, among those who used it less than once a year or never
Commission guidance | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|
I don’t think I need help and guidance that regularly | 50% | 51% | 62% |
I didn’t know that it provided help and guidance | 19% | 20% | 11% |
I don’t know how to find what I need | 14% | 11% | 4% |
I don’t think the help and guidance provided by it is clear enough | 8% | 6% | 6% |
I don’t use the internet very much | 6% | 5% | 3% |
I don’t think there is enough help and guidance provided by it | 4% | 4% | 3% |
Other | 11% | 14% | 9% |
None of the above | 13% | 13% | 11% |
Q. Which of the following reasons, if any, describe why you don’t use the Charity Commission as a source of help and guidance more often? Base respondents who do use the Charity Commission less than once a year2022 (2,545), 2021 (1,958), 2020 (2,059)
Whilst most trustees were not aware of the 5-minute guides, usage increased with interaction with the Charity Commission
5 minute guide | All respondents | Never uses the Charity Commission | Uses the Charity Commission less than once a year | Uses the Charity Commission about once a year | Uses the Charity Commission more than once a year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Had heard of them, and used in the past year | 5% | 1% | 5% | 9% | 19% |
Had heard of them, but have not used in the past year | 18% | 12% | 19% | 26% | 24% |
Had not heard of them | 75% | 85% | 75% | 63% | 55% |
Don’t know | 2% | 2% | 1% | 3% | 2% |
Q. Before taking this survey, have you heard of the Charity Commission’s 5-minute guides? Base (3,662)
Trustees who use the Charity Commission are more likely to correctly understand their duties
Commission usage | All trustees in survey | Never use the Commission | Uses the Commission |
---|---|---|---|
Checking and approving the charity’s annual accounts and trustees’ report | 74% | 69% | 78% |
Making sure the charity sends the right information to the Commission at the right time | 51% | 45% | 55% |
Making sure the charity’s resources are kept safe, properly used and accounted for | 78% | 73% | 81% |
Managing conflicts of interest so that they don’t wrongly influence trustee decisions | 74% | 71% | 76% |
Ensuring the charity’s governing document, policies and procedures are fit for purpose and are being followed | 83% | 79% | 86% |
Ensuring that all of the charity’s activities help to achieve the purposes for which it was set up | 92% | 90% | 94% |
Keeping up to date with relevant Charity Commission guidance | 70% | 61% | 76% |
Q. In your charity, who do you think is ultimately responsible for each of the following? Base (3,662)
Methodology
Quantitative survey of trustees
Yonder conducted an online survey of 3,662 participants taken from the Charity Commission’s database of charity trustees. These trustees came from a range of charity types, regional areas of focus, and length of tenure.
Where relevant, answer options were randomised and scales rotated. All questions using opposing statements were asked using a sliding scale.
The data was weighted to be representative of the breakdown of income size on the Commission’s register.