• Fundraising: 
    ​What Trustees need to know

    As a trustee, you share responsibility for how your charity raises money. Find out what that means in practice.

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About this course 

Trustees are responsible for their charity’s finances, including how the money is raised. Yet fundraising is one of the areas where many boards feel least confident. This practical e-learning course helps you understand the income options open to your charity, what the Charity Commission for England & Wales expects of you, and how you can play your part, without needing to be a fundraiser.


Through short videos, clear explanations, real-world examples and reflective activities, you’ll explore the main types of income, your duties under the Charity Commission’s guidance, the ways you can support your fundraisers, and the ethical questions and tough decisions that boards face.


Created by Leah Selinger, the course draws on her 20+ years of experience of advising charities on fundraising and governance, and of sitting on charity boards. It’s designed for new trustees and experienced board members alike.

What you will learn

  • About the difference between your ‘governance ’ and ‘volunteer’ hats, and why it matters for fundraising
  • What the main sources of charity income  are and the benefits and challenges of accessing them
  • What the Charity Commission (England & Wales) expects of trustees, including CC3 and CC20, and how the Fundraising Regulator and the Code of Fundraising Practice fit in
  • Practical ways to support your charity with fundraising
  • What to consider when encountering difficult decisions about income generation in line with your charity's values

What you will take away

  • A clear understanding of your duties as a trustee in relation to fundraising and income generation
  • A downloadable  handout to keep - summarising key points that you can share with your board
  • Practical questions to ask when you discuss income, risk and fundraising ethics at your next board meeting

Who is this course for?

  • Trustees and board members of charities, whether new to the role or with years of experience
  • People thinking about becoming a trustee who want to understand what is expected
  • Chairs, chief executives and senior staff who work closely with their board on fundraising
  • Trustees of smaller charities where the board is closely involved in raising money
Content for this course is based on charity law and Charity Commission guidance for England and Wales. Trustees in Scotland and Northern Ireland will find most of the content relevant, but should check the equivalent guidance from OSCR and the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland

Course content

Ready to learn?

Frequently Asked Questions

Got a question? See if it's answered here - but if not, feel free to contact us on hello@selingerconsultants.co.uk

The course takes around two hours in total to complete - but you don't have to do it in one go! You can take a break at any time and come back to the course and restart where you left off.

After you purchase the course, you will have one month to complete it.  Once completed, you can continue to access the lessons and resources until your access expires. If you have any problems with access, please email us at hello@selingerconsultants.co.uk.  In exceptional circumstances, we are able to extend access. 

Yes! The course breaks down the information you need into easy steps, with clear and accessible language. Concepts are clearly explained throughout. 

Please email hello@selingerconsultants.co.uk if you would rather pay via invoice and we can help you with this.

Yes. There is a course handbook which you can download and which you can save and keep for future reference.