New ACNC governance toolkit

The ACNC has launched its ‘Governance Toolkit’, a collection of resources to help charities manage financial abuse, cybersecurity, working with partners and safeguarding vulnerable people.

Each topic within the toolkit contains a comprehensive guide, useful templates, policy outlines, interactive checklists and more.

ACNC commissioner Gary Johns urged charities to focus on good governance.

‘The resources are tools for charities and their responsible persons to use to assess their policies and management procedures, and consider where improvements can be made,’ Dr Johns said.

‘[It’s] our view that a well-governed charity is better able to meet its purpose and achieve its goals.’

Charities may adapt the material for their own circumstances.  Short quizzes on each topic help you to determine if your charity is well-governed.

‘The assessments provide an opportunity for charities to test their own understanding of key risk areas,’ Dr Johns said.

‘Some charities may want to use these assessments as part of inducting new staff members or volunteers [into] their organisation.’

See the toolkit at https://www.acnc.gov.au/for-charities/manage-your-charity/governance-hub/governance-toolkit.

It’s part of a governance hub – a dedicated home for key resources on charity governance.  Hub users may find guidance on ACNC Governance Standards and External Conduct Standards and consult the small-charities’ resource library.

The governance hub is at https://www.acnc.gov.au/for-charities/manage-your-charity/governance-hub.