The Regulator for Charities in England and Wales

Is your charity Hallmarked?

(Immediate Release 7 July 2008)

The Charity Commission’s updated flagship guide to effective governance –  The Hallmarks of an Effective Charity - is published today. The revision clarifies the key principles forming the Hallmarks and reflects the increasing importance of financial prudence and accountability. The Hallmarks can be used by any charity to raise its standards and improve its effectiveness.

The six Hallmarks of an effective charity are:

  • Hallmark 1 - Clear about purposes and direction: using its purposes, mission and values to direct all aspects of its work
  • Hallmark 2 - A strong board; having the right balance of skills and experience and clarity about its responsibilities and the interests of its beneficiaries
  • Hallmark 3 - Fit for purpose; having structures, policies and procedures in place to enable it to achieve its purposes
  • Hallmark 4 - Learning and improving; always assessing performance to improve its performance and to inform planning and future direction
  • Hallmark 5 - Financially sound and prudent; controlling and using financial and other resources to deliver its purposes
  • Hallmark 6 - Accountable and transparent, accounting to all those with an interest in it in a transparent and understandable way

Dame Suzi Leather, Chair of the Commission, said:

“What separates the best charities from the rest is the quality of their governance. Hallmarks has an excellent track record amongst charities as a practical tool for reviewing and enhancing their effectiveness and seeing how they measure up. These updated Hallmarks ensure the relevance of this guidance which, together with the sector’s own governance standards, can help every charity meet today’s challenges.”

The Hallmarks of an Effective Charity (CC10) is available on the Commission’s website.

End.

Notes to editors:

  1. The Charity Commission is the independent regulator for charitable activity in England and Wales. For more information see our website at www.charitycommission.gov.uk or call our contact centre on 0845 300 0218.
  2. The Commission is also a member, together with NCVO, acevo, Charity Trustee Networks and ICSA, of the Founding Group for Good Governance: a code for the Voluntary and Community Sector (the Code).  The Commission endorses the Code.

For more information, please contact our Press Office.

    PR22/08