Charity Commission

30 January 2007

Commission endorses high-flying standards in charities

Charity standards which meet best practice criteria can now apply for Charity Commission endorsement, the regulator announced today. The charity watchdog has set out new plans to work with umbrella and membership charities to support and endorse quality standard policies and guidance which follow the Commission’s “Hallmarks of an effective charity”.

Age Concern and YMCA England join the Community Foundation Network as the first charities with quality standards which are Commission-endorsed. Their standards include areas such as managing conflicts of interest, accountable governance structures, managing staff and volunteers and dealing with risk.

This new accolade for good practice charities forms part of the Commission’s wider strategy for partnership working, designed to drive up effectiveness in the sector in partnership with charities.

Dame Suzi Leather, Chair of the Charity Commission said;

“Charities that champion best practice in their quality standards should be applauded. By endorsing these policies we hope to encourage more charities to adopt the principles in our guidance Hallmarks of an effective charity for the benefit of their beneficiaries, to improve effectiveness and to enhance their reputation. This is just one example of our partnership strategy in action. We’re also keen to work with charities on other initiatives that can help the sector have a positive impact.”