“Charities must remain independent and not have a political purpose.”
The work of charities is often at the forefront of some of the most sensitive debates and policies that we see, and it can, at times, be challenging to manage and balance political neutrality.
Throw into the mix the many social media channels and the number of individuals now “online,” and it becomes even harder, with a single post by a Trustee, member of staff, or volunteer leading to possible unintended consequences.
(Make sure to check out our social media guidance for charities, including the most recent updates.)
However, it is essential for charity managers and trustees not to veer from their charitable purpose and be drawn into politics and areas that do not serve the charity’s best interests, but still have a voice and represent their cause.
Political activity defined by the Charity Commission
The Commission defines political activity to be:
“An activity or campaign that focuses on changing or influencing policies and decisions taken by government (local, national, and even international), as well as public bodies such as the UN and World Bank or NHS Trusts, for example.”
The Charity Commission is incredibly clear on this definition, the rules, and the dos and don’ts for charities when it comes to politics, campaigning, and your involvement.
For example, charities can:
- Take part in political activity that supports the charity’s purpose and is in the best interests of the charity.
– I.e., a community charity that supports families whose children have additional needs could campaign for greater
funding to support additional learning facilities and respite care. Providing opportunities for families to recharge,
have access to local resources and support, and improve the well-being and life chances for children and young
people with SEN.
– A women’s charity could advocate and publicly campaign to change laws and legislation to improve the protection
and support available for victims of domestic abuse. - Support a policy that is supported and led by a political party or candidate, when and only when this policy supports the charity’s purpose.
(The Charity Commission and Electoral Commission chairs have published advice and further guidance for charities that wish to engage in public debate, which can be found here.)
Charities cannot:
- Promote and run a campaign that has nothing to do with the charity, what it stands for, the community it serves, etc.
- Use politics as the justification for the charity’s existence.
- Provide financial support to a specific political party or individual candidate.
Taking part in politics
It may seem critical, at times, for you to speak up for the cause that you serve. To express your opinion and views. Participate in debates and use your voice to influence decisions that will directly support your work.
And charities can, of course, campaign for change and show their support or opposition to policies from political parties; however, you should consider any statements or activity in this area very carefully.
Make sure that any public communications link to your charity’s purpose and are constructive and remain independent. Think about your tone and public perception.
It’s important to build trust with the public and the community in which you serve; getting pulled into political sides can put you at risk of damaging your reputation, loss of public trust, and even regulatory scrutiny.
You may also be asked to justify the resources that you are using and why, and again, if this will benefit the charity.
Trustees must also consider the impact and possible criticism that they could face, and whether this could be seen as a potential conflict of interest.
Role of trustees – what charities must do
Trustees have numerous roles and responsibilities within a charity, and ensuring that the charity remains independent and does not promote or support one political party or candidate over another is a big part of these responsibilities.
In addition, any political activity that your charity does opt to undertake must align with your charity’s purpose and never be solely for party political purposes.
Trustees must act honestly, remain informed of charity activity, be able and ready to manage conflicts of interest, and continually review campaign progress.
It’s also important to build into governing documents provisions for political activity and campaigns, as well as how the charity should lawfully participate, and to check for any existing restrictions that may already be in place.
We can’t emphasise the importance of having and keeping up to date policies and governing documents, with everyone fully aware and understanding of their roles, responsibilities, placing an emphasis on social media policies, and understanding that personal accounts aren’t always private.
Remember, the Charity Commission can get involved if they believe that you have not made decisions or acted in a way that is not in the charity’s best interests.
Why political neutrality matters
Politics can be a minefield; however, rather than avoiding it, charities should look to engage where they are in a position to, to promote respect, tolerance, and consideration of others.
When you can have a voice that supports your charitable purpose, focusing on the issues that are relevant to your community.
Charity campaigns and activities can still show passion and emotion. You can still provide support or raise concerns about specific policies; however, every decision you make and all activities you carry out must always further your charity’s overarching aim and be in the best interests of the charity.
For further support and information, check out our post on the importance of Charity Governance.
