The Charity Governance Code is a useful guide to help charities and their boards reach strong standards of governance. It covers topics like organisational purpose, leadership, integrity, decision-making, diversity, equality and inclusion, board effectiveness, and accountability. No matter your organisation's size, the Code offers a framework for ongoing improvement.
At Salford CVS, we encourage VCSE organisations to use the Code to check their governance. It can help with board development, governance reviews, trustee induction, and planning for the future. By looking at the Code's principles regularly, boards can become more effective, make better decisions, and build trust with funders, partners, volunteers, and communities.
Why was the Code updated in 2025?
The 2025 update addresses new challenges for charities, such as financial pressures, changing community needs, digital changes, and higher expectations for equity, diversity and inclusion. The updated Code now focuses more on organisational culture, inclusive leadership, accountability, and making sure governance stays relevant and effective as things change quickly.
You can find the Code here: Charity Governance Code.
