Become a charity trustee

Trustees play a crucial role in ensuring a charity is run effectively and in the interests of the people or cause it is there to support.

What is a trustee in a charity?

Trustees are the individuals who make decisions on behalf of the charity. They are ultimately responsible for the management and administration of a charity, setting the executive strategy, providing scrutiny and support, and ensuring that the charity and its assets are safeguarded.

They are the "guardians of purpose," putting the needs of both current and future beneficiaries first. They sit at the heart of good governance in a charity.

The latest statistics suggest that there are around 100,000 vacancies for trustees in the UK, and almost half of all charities are currently looking for trustees.

Whilst most of us give money to charity, charities also need us to give of our time, skills, experience, and expertise to fulfil a vital role in the voluntary sector.

What is the role of a trustee?

A charity trustee is responsible for the charity's dealings. They must ensure the charity is well controlled and managed, works to achieve its charitable objectives, and operates for the public benefit.

Trustees are unpaid and must always act in the charity's best interests. It's a valuable and fascinating role and a great way to contribute to causes that are important to you and to develop personal skills (like leadership) at the same time.

What are the legal responsibilities of being a trustee?

All charity trustees, regardless of the charity's legal structure, owe fiduciary duties to the charity. Such duties include but are not limited to a duty:

1. To operate the charity for the benefit of the public and promote the charitable purposes of the charity (in line with the objectives contained in the governing document);
2. To comply with the charity's governing document and the law;
3. To act in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries
4. This includes an obligation on charity trustees to ensure they do not have an interest that conflicts with their duty as trustee; and
5. To not receive any benefit from the charity;
6. To manage the charity's resources responsibility;
7. To act with reasonable skill and care; and
8. To ensure the charity is accountable and complies with its statutory accounting and reporting requirements.

How much time does being a trustee take?

The time commitment associated with carrying out the responsibilities of a charity trustee varies depending upon the size and complexity of the charity and its objectives.

Some charities, such as small grant-making charities, might have a meeting every quarter, and charity trustees will be required to prepare for each meeting. Whilst the time commitment will vary, it would be reasonable to allocate at least five hours for each meeting and the related preparation.

For larger charities, the time commitment is likely to be substantially more. Not only might the meetings be more frequent and require additional preparation, but it is likely that such charities will have sub-committees that charity trustees may be required to sit on in addition to the main board. These sub-committees will have particular responsibilities within the charity's areas of activity or responsibility. The amount of additional time they will require will depend on the nature of the sub-committee. For larger and/or more complex charities, trustees could be expected to commit between 10 to 20 hours a month.

As part of your research and consideration before taking on the role, we suggest asking the charity itself to clarify the anticipated time commitment outside and within meetings.

Can anyone become a trustee?

A charity trustee should possess the skills, knowledge, and experience to ensure the charity is well-governed and run effectively and efficiently. This does not mean that all trustees must have relevant professional qualifications; just the time, enthusiasm, commitment, and ability to support the charity. Diverse boards are the most effective, and having a wide range of skills and backgrounds within a trustee board is best.

Individuals and corporate bodies can be appointed as charity trustees, although it is more common for charities to have individual trustees. For example, the Charity Commission advises against appointing both individuals and one or more corporate bodies, and the model CIO constitution provides that every charity trustee must be a natural person (an individual).

While some charity's governing documents include specific additional requirements (such as compliance with a code of conduct), there are certain general requirements for individual trustees. Generally, to become a charity trustee an individual must:

• Have mental capacity or comprehension to manage their own affairs;
• Be of the minimum age (at least 16 if the charity is a charitable company or a charitable incorporated organisation, or at least 18 years old for other structures);
• Not be a disqualified person (an individual can be disqualified either by the Charity Commission specifically or because of certain unspent convictions or other financial or non-financial legal reasons); and
• Not be a designated person (on a UK Government Sanctions List).

In order for the charity to claim UK tax reliefs and exemptions (e.g., Gift Aid), all of the charity's managers (including trustees) must comply with the management condition under the Finance Act 2010 and be 'fit and proper persons'.

How do you find charity trustee vacancies?

If becoming a charity trustee appeals to you, there are various methods you can use to locate vacancies. Sector-focused vacancy websites such as CharityJob, Reach Volunteering, Trustees Unlimited, and Getting on Board may be a good place to start.

Local charities and schools might also advertise in the relevant community, so look for them in newsletters, community forums, and notice boards.

Also, don't forget about word of mouth. Let your friends and contacts know you want to be a charity trustee. Many charities have vacancies or are keen to hear from those interested in being involved, so don't be afraid to contact local charities to see if they need help. And if they don't, they might know another organisation that does!

Why become a charity trustee?

Becoming a charity trustee can be a rewarding experience. It offers personal growth, professional development, and the chance to make a meaningful impact.

So why should you consider becoming one? Here are just a few reasons:

Making a difference

Trustees have a unique opportunity to play a crucial role in making a positive difference, contributing to society, supporting a cause they are passionate about, and driving meaningful, impactful change.

Personal and professional development

Being a trustee is all about personal and professional development. In return for your time and energy, you develop valuable experience in a wide range of skills, such as governance, strategy, leadership, risk management, financial management, and the list goes on. It offers a unique opportunity to gain and enhance your skills, expertise, and experience.

Enhancing your network

Inevitably, as a trustee, you will work alongside professionals from various backgrounds, including your co-trustees, but also sector leaders, donors, and community partners. These relationships will expand your professional networks and enhance your future opportunities.

Personal fulfilment and wellbeing

Giving back and contributing to social change can undoubtedly bring personal satisfaction. While volunteering is a difficult concept to align in a culture where time is precious, research has shown that giving your time and energy to others is beneficial for your own mental health and well-being. Being a trustee will make life feel more meaningful and give you a sense of purpose.

Improving diversity, equality, and inclusion

Sadly, charities' boards are still woefully underrepresented in wider society. In 2017, research showed that two-thirds of trustees were male, and 92% were white, older, and educated to an above-average level.

And so, you can be part of the solution. You can help diversify a charity's board. A diverse board is a more resilient one. Boards which are more reflective of the communities they serve ultimately have the best chance of fulfilling their purposes and meeting the needs of their beneficiaries.

While accepting that becoming a charity trustee is a significant commitment, it offers a unique opportunity to do more, to give back, to be part of the solution, and to grow personally and professionally.

As Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."

If you are interested in learning more or understanding what the role involves, organisations such as the NCVO or DSC offer resources that can help guide your thinking.

Alternatively, speak to someone you know who is or has been a trustee, regardless of their age, experience, or the size of the charity they volunteered for and ask why they did it and what they got out of it.