Navigating the new do’s and don’ts and what support is and isn’t available is a fast moving and crowded place.  We hope this guide will keep you up to date with the main areas of concern for Trusts and Foundations. The Charity Commission response The Charity Commission has updated its guidance in response to COVID-19; please see here for details. In summary, the guidance states that: A charity cannot expand its beneficiary class because it suddenly wants to help a wider beneficiary group during the COVID crisis.  If the governing documents do not give express powers to change the beneficiary group, then Charity Commission permission would still be needed. Some of the government’s business support measures apply to charities. Restricted funds may, in some instances and as a last resort, be able to be used by the charity facing financial problems but professional advice should be taken. AGMs. If trustees

Read the full article

The Trust Partnership and Stone King have joined their significant experience of working with Almshouses to put together two webinars aimed at providing trustees and staff with an Almshouse Toolkit of legal considerations and practical tips for the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.  The first webinar held on 6 May 2020 looked at surviving the lockdown and the second, to be held in early June will address some governance and sustainability issues to think about going forward.

How to choose an investment manager

Over the years we have been asked many times for support and guidance from our clients as to whether we think their investments are performing well enough, should they be doing anything different, and who should they be doing it with. We cannot provide investment advice…however, we can certainly help lift the mists which sometimes surround communications from investment houses, and here’s how. Trustees are often simply looking for a steer, a bench mark or a trusted friend when things begin to look a little rough and change looks like the likely remedy. Our Investment manager review document can help with this process, but here is a brief synopsis. Trustees cannot delegate the decision or the responsibility for their choice of investment manager but the process of choosing can be helped enormously by a good independent and qualified investment advisor. However, it’s important to remember they will only provide advice

Read the full article

Sarah Chiappini

Presuming that Brexit will go ahead (either on 29 March 2019 or later if Article 50 is extended), the UK’s withdrawal from the EU might affect charities in various ways, depending on their activities. In this briefing paper our colleague, Sarah Chiappini, sets out some of the issues that we should be thinking about. Brexit! – Implications for charities

Johanna Tompsett

Creating a new website is one of those things that can too often slip down the ‘to do’ list. There are always more pressing priorities: client needs, operational issues, being there for the team; and being home for family too. So, making time to reflect on what we wanted our new site to look like, the messaging, why it was even needed, seemed like a lot of extra work. Was it worth it? Categorically yes… and not just for the obvious reasons. Having the chance to reflect afresh on why we do what we do and the way we do it has been deeply energising. We are thrilled to share the results. From little acorns… As you’ll see, there’s a bit of a theme. Yes, we do like our trees! And if you’ve ever visited our offices, you’ll know why. We are fortunate to live and work in the beautiful

Read the full article

Excited to be changing the world!

The Trust Partnership is very pleased to announce it has become the first Certified B Corporation in Gloucestershire, and part of a growing movement of people using business as a force for good! Founded in 2005, we’re a social enterprise that specialises in managing charitable trusts, and advising some of the UK’s largest businesses on their community investment and employee engagement programmes. From our Gloucestershire HQ, our 30 staff and associates manage the philanthropic activities of foundations, such as The Radcliffe Trust and the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, making grants of more than £8million each year to good causes. We are excited that we’ve not only been able to build a thriving business, but to do so on strong ethical foundations. The way we treat our staff, clients and other stakeholders is really important to us, and becoming a Certified B Corporation is evidence of our positive impact locally, and on the sector

Read the full article