The Value of Charity Leadership

The International Day of Charity 

Acts of charity between humans have been recorded since ancient times, with Mesopotamian (2000BCE) temples distributing food to the poor, and Egyptian pharaohs providing shelter for the sick and widowed. This long-lasting human tradition has persisted in spite of mass societal changes, albeit in differing forms. In the 1950s, Mother Teresa (now Saint Teresa!) established the Missionaries of Charity, dedicating her life to helping the poor and vulnerable around the globe. The anniversary of her death on September 5th is now commemorated as the International Day of Charity, an opportunity to raise awareness, promote charitable acts and celebrate successes. It reminds us of our shared mission to combat social injustice across the world. This blog takes the opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate the brilliant work and immense commitment every person involved in the charity sector demonstrates, following Mother Teresa’s example of dedication and empathy. 

Changing Landscapes 

Since the International Day of Charity’s establishment by the UN in 2012, the world of charity has undergone dramatic transformations. Unprecedented shocks have profoundly impacted the wider economic realities, from Brexit in the UK to the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis currently being witnessed across the globe. These shocks have forced charities to rethink sustainability. Rising austerity has reduced public funding, creating greater competition for more limited grants. Charities are increasingly relying on earned income and philanthropy in order to sustain their social impact.  

This has coincided with the digital transformations that have defined much of the past few decades, with new possibilities for online charitable acts and engagement, fundraising and volunteering. These are currently being felt through the vast complexities and prospects that AI poses to the way we work. Overall, these radical changes mean that the sector has never before had to be so resilient and adaptive, intensifying the need for strong and effective leadership. 

The evolving role of trustees 

Trustees exemplify the value of strong charity leadership, ensuring the foundation of a unified organisational vision and stewarding each charity’s values and mission. The changing landscape of the charity sector has undoubtedly also impacted the role of charity leaders, simultaneously bringing new challenges and opportunities.  

For example, the cost-of-living crisis demands that boards now exercise more strategic leadership and proactivity, as well as demonstrating greater commitment to transparency and reporting requirements due to ever present regulatory scrutiny. Trustees must therefore dedicate more of their time than ever before, both to the role itself and to learning the essential skills and knowledge required to perform effectively. This dedication becomes even more strenuous considering the personal impact of rising living costs, the decision to volunteer one’s spare time for free becoming even more admirable. The role of trustees economically cannot be understated, with a combined value estimated at £33.17b in England and Wales according to Team Up’s 2023 report. 

Despite these mounting barriers, there is also growing opportunity and excitement in the future for roles of charity leaders. The need for more strategic leadership also reflects the expanding potential for positive change within the charities that trustees serve, acting as leaders and advocates rather than just overseers.  

There is also far greater awareness and emphasis on the crucial need for diversity and inclusion within boards, emphasising genuine representation and equity in leadership. This diversity includes the need for different skills and knowledge as well as personal characteristics. Here lies the potential to apply a wider pool of talent and voices, utilising lived experiences in decision-making and reflecting the communities’ charities aim to serve. If the sector can reduce its barriers to engagement for diverse trustees, genuine co-production of knowledge will undoubtedly lead to better insight and outcomes. 

The importance of charity trustees 

The increasing time and skill requirements of leadership roles should naturally mean increased recognition and celebration of the value that they bring. Board members demonstrate a boundless variety of expertise, each bringing their individual talents and passion to their roles. From practical knowledge of finance and law to the immeasurable empathy and care expressed for the communities they are involved in.  

They act as the custodians of charity missions and values, ensuring community relevance and the overall culture and priorities governing each organisation. Through this work, charity leaders shape the future of societal change. Furthermore, trustees are the connective thread through charities’ social networks, bridging beneficiaries to donors and to the wider community. These relationships and networks maintain the understanding of the profound effects that charity work can have and ensures high standards of transparency and accountability, particularly important as the numbers of people donating to charities fall. Charities simply could not function without their boards, and these contributions should be actively encouraged and celebrated. 

How can we ensure the value of charity leadership is celebrated? 

Whilst trustees are typically motivated by their passion for battling social injustice, we can also encourage more prominent amplification of their contributions and recognition of their value, both within the charities they work and society at large.  

One suggestion is a focus on storytelling to facilitate public recognition, inspiring others through powerful testimonies and demonstrating the huge variety of trustee voices and perspectives. We aim to encourage this here at Cause4 through our Pick of the month, celebrating outstanding stories from within the charity sector each month.  

Furthermore, the sector as a whole must invest in greater training, development and mentorship of trustees, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, enabling young and passionate people to bring new ideas into the sector. Others working within the sector must also be conscious of the increasing time and practical requirements for trustees and demonstrate their appreciation for these vital volunteers.  

Inspired by the importance of trustees and wanting to make a difference for a social cause you are passionate about? Get involved in the Trustee Leadership Programme now and play a vital role in shaping future of the sector.