Research Reports

A Balancing Act: New perspectives on the charity/beneficiary relationship

This report examines the charity/beneficiary relationship from the perspectives of charities, the public and the public as charity beneficiaries; the report includes our thoughts on the implications of the research for the sector, wider society and for the Commission itself.

PDF (1.1MB)

A Balancing Act: Technical report 
 

A report produced by Ipsos MORI that contains the detailed survey method and data tables for the three surveys conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the Charity Commission for its research report of the same title.

PDF (3.42MB)

A Snapshot of charities in Wales

For the first time, information about the Welsh charitable sector has been brought together and analysed to produce an overview of charities in Wales. This report includes a range of previously unpublished information on the activity of Welsh charities registered with the Charity Commission.

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PDF (747kb)

Cause for Complaint? How charities manage complaints about their services

This report looks at the nature, extent and cost of complaints handling in the sector. It includes a checklist to help trustees draw up, or evaluate an existing, complaints procedure.

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PDF (989kb)

Cause for Complaint? How charities manage complaints about their services: 

Annex A - E

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Charities and Commercial Partners

Focuses on the commercial partnership that exists when a charity and a commercial company enter into an agreement either to raise funds for the charity or to raise its profile

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Charities and Commercial Partners

Annex A, B & C

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Charities working in the field of human rights

A short report about charities working in the human rights field.

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PDF (260kb)

Charity Reserves:

Examines in detail the issues surrounding reserves and restricted funding

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Charity Reserves:

Annex A, B, C & D

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Charity Reserves:

Key Findings

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Collaborative Working and Mergers

Explores the opportunities and challenges of collaborative working and mergers and makes recommendations to enable well-planned partnerships to flourish

Also, see Collaborative Working and Mergers Resources

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Collaborative Working and Mergers:
 

Annex A, B, C & D

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Collaborative Working and Mergers:

Summary

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Going Green: Charities and Environmental Responsibility

This report highlights the range of ways that charities are responding to environmental issues, either directly in the way they deliver their services or indirectly through their back office practices.

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PDF (443kb)

In Their Own Words

This report illustrates how charities have responded in the SIR form's first year.

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PDF (431kb)

Membership Charities

Sets out the characteristics of an effective membership charity. It assesses the extent to which the problems associated with membership charities can be resolved or avoided by better governance and by the actions of the membership, and clarifies where the Charity Commission will become involved.

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Membership Charities:

Annex A, B, C & D

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Membership Charities:

Summary

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Milestones: Managing key events in the life of a charity

Looks at the issues and phases of development that are relevant to charities, also includes a checklist of standard questions for trustees to consider at various stages of development

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Milestones: Managing key events in the life of a charity 

Annex A, B, C, D & E

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Milestones:  Managing key events in the life of a charity

Summary

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Small Charities and Reserves

Explores the same issues as RS3 but focuses on smaller charities whose annual income is less than £10,000

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Stand and deliver: the future for charities delivering public services

This publication presents the results of our survey on charities delivering public services, ranging from full-cost recovery to length of funding agreements.

PDF (304kb)

Start as you mean to go on - Trustee Recruitment and Induction

This report presents the findings of a survey which revisited the issues highlighted in Trustee Recruitment, Selection and Induction (RS1) to establish whether there had been any changes.  It does not replace RS1, but should be read in conjunction with it.

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Start as you mean to go on - Trustee Recruitment and Induction:

Annex A, B, C, D & E

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Tell it like it is

Charities are urged to remove the mystique surrounding their reserves.

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PDF (524kb)

The Regeneration Game

Results of our new research into charities established under the regeneration charitable purpose.

PDF (518kb)

Transparency and Accountability

Presents the findings of an analysis of the information provided in the Annual Report and Accounts of a sample of 200 of the largest charities

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Transparency and Accountability:

Annex A, B, C & D

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Trustee Recruitment, Selection and Induction

Provides information on best practice in recruiting new trustees

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Trustee Recruitment, Selection and Induction

Annex A, B, C & D

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Village Halls and Community Centres

Provides an overview of the challenges faced by village hall, community centre and similar charities and looks at what trustees can and cannot do within charity law and regulation in order to adapt their operations to changing circumstances. In particular, it outlines how the Charity Commission can help charities to modernise and provides signposting to further advice and guidance.

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Village Halls and Community Centres:

Annex A, B, C & D

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Village Halls and Community Centres:

Summary

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