Charity Commission Guidance Update: What You Need to Know (July 2025)
- Third Sector Experts International
- Jul 14
- 4 min read
Charity Commission Guidance Update: What You Need to Know (July 2025)
The Charity Commission has published several important updates over the past few months. These are significant for charity trustees, senior management, and anyone involved in governance or compliance. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes:
1. Updated Guidance on ‘Raising a Concern’ (CC47)
Published: 9 June 2025 Raising a concern with the Charity Commission (CC47) - GOV.UK
The Commission has refreshed its guidance for those wanting to raise concerns about a charity.• The updated CC47 guidance and online form now offer clearer direction on what types of concerns the Commission can act upon, and which should be directed elsewhere.• Only around 8% of concerns submitted in the last financial year were out of remit or lacked information Updated guide to raising concerns about a charity - GOV.UK.• The new online form includes signposting to whistleblowing processes, serious-incident reporting, and appropriate channels for concerns outside the Commission’s jurisdiction.
Action point: Trustees should review CC47, remind their staff and volunteers of the appropriate channels, and ensure that internal processes align with the guidance.
2. Finding & Appointing New Trustees (CC30) – Revised
Updated: 14 May 2025
Reflecting findings from the April 2025 trusteeship report, the Commission has enhanced its trustee recruitment guidance:
Encourages a broader recruitment strategy—charities should avoid hiring solely through personal contacts and consider open advertising, social media, trustee search organisations, or skills-based networks.
Recommends conducting a skills audit to understand gaps and draft precise role descriptions.
Expanded guidance emphasises the importance of induction planning, ensuring new trustees have tailored information and learning to help them succeed MHA | Update Charity Commission guidance: Finding and appointing new….
Action point: Charities should refresh recruitment documents, ensure trustee induction is thorough, and consider publishing induction plans to support trustee effectiveness and long-term retention.
3. Annual Return Guidance – Online Filing Refreshed
Updated late May 2025
The Commission has issued new guidance on the Annual Return for charities:
While there are no major question changes, explanatory notes have been provided to clarify why certain information, especially those introduced in 2023, is being gathered A not-for-profit & charities update: Latest sector guidance and a reminder of tax obligations - Surrey Hills National Landscape.
Trustees continue to have 10 months after financial year-end to submit returns via online services A not-for-profit & charities update: Latest sector guidance and a reminder of tax obligations - Surrey Hills National Landscape.
Action point: Review your upcoming annual return now, use the updated guidance to clarify new fields, and start preparing earlier to avoid last-minute filing.
4. Research on Public Trust & Trustees – Key Findings
Published: 8 July 2025 Prepare a charity annual return - GOV.UK
Although not traditional guidance, the Commission’s recent research carries important implications for how charities operate:
Public trust remains high: 57–58% of people express high trust in charities, second only to doctors Public trust in charities 2025 - GOV.UK.
Transparency matters: Donors emphasise seeing how funds are used (64%), real impact (70%), and high ethical standards (66%) Research into public trust in charities and research with charity trustees 2025 - GOV.UK.
Trustee engagement: 46% of trustees use Commission guidance regularly; those who do perform better in governance. Awareness that resources exist has increased (lack of knowledge fell from 20% in 2021 to 12% now) Research into public trust in charities and research with charity trustees 2025 - GOV.UK.
Action point: Enshrine transparency in your communications, publishing financial reports, illustrating impact, and maintaining ethical clarity goes a long way.
5. Wider Sector & Future Drivers
• The new Code of Fundraising Practice will take effect from 1 November 2025, introducing stronger digital fundraising standards and donor protection.• As anticipated, a revised Charity Governance Code is expected in 2025 to reinforce board effectiveness, diversity, and transparency Key changes on the horizon for charities in 2025 - Trethowans.
Action point:
Prepare for the fundraising code updates by auditing your digital communications and donor consent mechanisms.
Stay tuned for the new governance code and assess your board against current best-practice standards.
Summary Checklist
Area | What to Do |
Raising Concerns (CC47) | Refresh internal policies and signpost correct reporting channels |
Trustee Recruitment (CC30) | Conduct skills audits, open recruitment, revise induction plans |
Annual Return | Use new guidance, start preparing early |
Transparency & Ethics | Publish clear reporting, track and highlight impact, maintain ethical standards |
Prepare for Code Changes | Audit digital fundraising practices, boards, and governance structures ahead of new codes |
Want Support? We’re Here to Help!
These guidance changes mean charities need to take prompt action, especially if your charity is smaller or volunteer-led. If you’d like assistance interpreting the guidance, revising policies, or preparing your next annual return or trustee recruitment process, please get in touch. We provide tailored support to help charities stay compliant, build public trust, and govern effectively.
Feel free to contact us at info@thirdsectorexperts.co.uk. Let's work together to ensure your charity thrives!
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