Charities continue to operate against a backdrop of financial pressure, increasing regulation and evolving risks. Following International Day of Charity on 5 September, it is a timely opportunity to reflect on the vital contribution that charities, funders and philanthropic organisations
More about Charity & Philanthropy Focus – September 2026While every case will turn on its facts, UK charity law and best practice provides a clear framework to help trustees decide whether they can, and if so, if they should proceed to the courts. Litigation and trustees’ duties Charities
More about When can a charity litigate? Key points for trusteesThe recent cyber-security incident affecting Beacon Apps Ltd, a CRM provider used by many charities and not-for-profit organisations, is a reminder that organisations can be affected even where the root cause lies with a third-party supplier. While every incident turns
More about Personal data breaches: what charities need to knowThe Charity Commission annual return is often one such trigger. Registered charities in England and Wales must submit an annual return, or report income and spending, each year. The return can require trustees to confirm key information about how the
More about Is it time for a policy health check?Over time, those funds can become administratively burdensome and may leave charitable resources underused where their purposes are no longer practical or sufficiently flexible. Fund rationalisation is rarely at the top of the agenda, but it may be worth revisiting.
More about Restricted funds: unlocking value for more effective useA succession of days above 30°C has had a ripple effect across public health, transport and agriculture, leading to disruption as well as school closures. We are seeing time and again that crises do not occur in splendid isolation. In
More about Philanthropy: from crisis response to crisis readinessWe are pleased to launch Charity and Philanthropy Focus, a new newsletter, sharing practical insights on the issues we see affecting charities, trustees and philanthropic organisations. We hope you enjoy this first edition and, if a topic raises a question,
More about Charity & Philanthropy Focus – May 2026What has changed and why it matters? The “charitable purposes soft opt‑in” came into force on 5 February 2026 as part of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, which amended the rules under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations
More about ICO publishes “soft opt in” guidance – so what should charities do now?The good news? The SORP continues to allow flexibility and recognises that full public disclosure isn’t always the right answer. Telling the story SORP 2026 expects trustees to explain grant making clearly in the trustees’ annual report and in the
More about Grant making disclosures under SORP 2026: transparency without riskAt one level, nothing has changed. Trustees have always been responsible for their charity’s fundraising. But in another sense, this update reflects a continued shift towards clearer expectations of active board oversight. To understand why this matters, it helps to
More about Fundraising governance: a compliance journey