Everything You Need to Know About Charity Trustees

Charities in the UK rely on a group of dedicated individuals known as trustees to steer their mission, maintain compliance, and ensure public benefit. Whether you’re considering becoming a charity trustee yourself or simply want to understand the role more deeply, this guide covers everything from legal duties to day-to-day responsibilities.

🕵️ What Is a Charity Trustee?

A charity trustee is a person responsible for governing a charity and making sure it is carrying out its purpose effectively and legally. Trustees form the charity’s board and are ultimately responsible for its strategic direction and financial oversight.

In some organisations, trustees may also be called board members, governors, directors, or committee members, depending on the charity’s structure.

🔎 What Do Charity Trustees Do?

Trustees are the decision-makers and guardians of a charity’s values. Their key duties include:

• Ensuring the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
• Complying with the charity’s governing document and the law
• Acting in the charity’s best interests
• Managing the charity’s resources responsibly
• Ensuring the charity is accountable (to the public, funders, regulators, etc.)

📅 How Long Should Charity Trustees Serve?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but many charities set a term of 3 to 5 years, often renewable once or twice. This ensures fresh perspectives while maintaining continuity. The charity’s governing document will typically outline term limits and reappointment procedures.

🤝 How Many Trustees Should a Charity Have?

In the UK, most charities must have a minimum of three trustees. There is no legal maximum, but five to twelve trustees is considered a healthy range to balance expertise, diversity, and decision-making efficiency.

👪 Can Family Members Be Trustees of a Charity?

Yes, but with important limitations. While it’s not illegal, the Charity Commission discourages charities from appointing multiple related individuals as trustees. A majority of unrelated trustees must always be maintained to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure impartiality.

🏛️ Can Charity Trustees Be Paid?

Generally, trustees cannot be paid for their role as a trustee. However, they can be reimbursed for reasonable expenses. In some cases, trustees can be paid for additional services (like consultancy) but this requires strict procedures, proper documentation, and approval by the Charity Commission.

🎓 How to Become a Trustee for a Charity

Anyone over the age of 18 (16 for charitable companies) can become a trustee, unless they are disqualified by law. To get started:

• Visit sites like Reach Volunteering, Do-it.org, or Trustees Unlimited
• Look out for local charity board openings
• Attend trustee information sessions run by charities or councils for voluntary services (CVSs)

Charities often look for trustees with experience in finance, governance, legal, HR, marketing, or lived experience related to their cause.

🛠️ Common Misunderstandings About Trustee Roles

It’s not uncommon for charities—or prospective trustees—to have some uncertainty around the rules and requirements. Here are a few clarifications:

• Can a charity function with only one or two trustees?
  No. In the UK, the legal minimum is three trustees, and having fewer could lead to issues with decision-making and regulatory compliance.
• Are trustees allowed to be employees or receive a salary?
  Generally no. Trustees are unpaid volunteers, unless authorised under the charity’s governing document or with explicit Charity Commission approval for specific paid services.
• Can you serve indefinitely?
  While legally possible, best practice is to have fixed terms (e.g. 3 years, renewable once or twice). This promotes accountability and brings in fresh perspectives over time.
• Do trustees need specific qualifications?
  No formal qualifications are required, but charities benefit from a diverse board—so skills in finance, governance, legal, or digital strategy are highly valued.

🔗 Final Thoughts: Why Trustees Matter

Trustees play a vital role in the charity sector. They provide oversight, insight, and governance to ensure organisations are ethical, effective, and impactful. If you’re passionate about a cause and ready to contribute your skills, becoming a trustee is one of the most meaningful ways to get involved.

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📳 Interested in supporting a cause or learning more about how charities work? Browse our Find Your Charity section to explore inspiring organisations making a difference.