Resources / Charity annual governance calendar
Charity annual governance calendar
Write the year's governance down once, and January stops being a surprise. The template below assumes a 31 March year end and quarterly meetings — shift everything to fit yours (your annual return deadline is always 10 months after year end).
| Month | Governance jobs |
|---|---|
| April | Year end closes. Board meeting: annual trustee declarations (interests + eligibility), appoint independent examiner, reserves policy review. |
| May | Draft accounts preparation begins. Insurance renewal review. |
| June | Safeguarding policy + DBS register review. Volunteer records tidy-up. |
| July | Board meeting: half-year budget check, risk register full review, policy review batch 1. |
| August | Quiet month — induction refresh for any new trustees; skills matrix update. |
| September | Draft accounts to the examiner. AGM papers if your governing document requires one. |
| October | Board meeting: approve accounts & trustees' annual report (incl. public benefit). AGM where applicable. |
| November | File the annual return + accounts (deadline 31 January — file now, keep two months' slack). Companies House confirmation statement if a company. |
| December | Policy review batch 2. Data-protection housekeeping (retention, access). |
| January | Board meeting: next year's budget approved, fundraising plan, board effectiveness mini-review. |
| February | Trustee recruitment/succession check — terms ending this year? |
| March | Purpose review: minute that activities furthered the objects. Prep for year end. |
Two rules make the calendar real: every line has an owner, and the board sees the next quarter's lines at every meeting.