Assess Your Charity Governance — Free Self-Assessment for the 2025 Code

The Charity Governance Code was refreshed in November 2025 with eight principles covering everything from your governing document to board effectiveness. It replaces the previous version which had separate editions for larger and smaller charities — the 2025 Code applies to all registered charities in England and Wales, with notes where expectations differ by size.

The Code uses an "apply or explain" approach. For each principle, your board either demonstrates how it applies the principle or explains why it has taken a different approach. A village hall trust with three trustees will apply these principles very differently from a national charity with a paid CEO — both are valid responses.

New in the 2025 update: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is now a standalone principle (principle 7), and the Code recommends that charities consider their approach to technology and AI tools. For small charities, this is about awareness and proportionate action, not formal programmes.

The Charity Commission increasingly references the Code in its guidance, and grant funders may ask about your governance standards in applications. Running this self-assessment annually — ideally at a board meeting or away day — helps your board identify blind spots before they become problems.