Risk, Trust, and the State of Charity Governance in 2025
The Charity Commission has published its Charity Sector Risk Assessment 2025, setting out the biggest threats facing the UK’s 168,000 registered charities.
At the top of the list: safeguarding, governance, financial resilience, and public trust.
The Commission warns that many of these risks are interconnected — cultural and leadership weaknesses often sit at the root of compliance failures.
For charities, NGOs, and faith-based organisations, the message is clear: risk management isn’t a compliance exercise — it’s a cultural one.
When values, behaviours, and accountability don’t align, the likelihood of failure grows — even when the paperwork looks perfect.
The report also highlights the importance of ongoing trustee development, transparent decision-making, and proactive reporting as the foundation of public confidence.
For any organisation built on trust, this is a timely reminder that governance must be lived, not just written down.
Questions for reflection:
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Do your leaders understand what “risk” looks like in your culture, not just your finances?
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How confident are you that your safeguarding framework is more than a policy document?
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When was the last time your board or leadership team reviewed its risk appetite and accountability culture?