The Chartered Secretaries’ Charitable Trust

Helps members – advances the profession – celebrates achievement

The Chartered Secretaries’ Charitable Trust was established in the summer of 2013 for the benefit of current and former members, graduates, students and employees of The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland and for the promotion of good governance.

The Trust brought together the three charities of the ICSA Benevolent Fund, ICSA Education and Research Foundation and ICSA Prize Fund into one charitable company.

Our roots go back to 1897, when Mr J A Kelman, one of the founders of the Institute, offered to contribute £250, provided £500 was subscribed by members. The then Council voted a further amount of £250, so a Benevolent Fund might be started with £1,000.

Our aims are simple: we are here to help.

We give financial support to individuals in need, to advance education and training in governance and business administration, and provide for annual prizes to reward the highest achieving students in The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland examinations.

Company registration number: 8602517 
Registered charity number: 1152784

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2022-2023

Trust's privacy notice

Here to help

The Chartered Secretaries’ Charitable Trust can provide financial support:

• For the advancement and promotion of education and training in the law and practice of the profession of governance and business administration
• For prizes to students obtaining the highest achievements in The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland's examinations
• To help individuals connected to the Institute in the UK, Republic of Ireland and Associated Territories who find themselves in need. You would need to be either a:
• current or former member of the Institute
• graduate or student of the Institute
• current or former employee of the Institute
• a dependant of a current or former: member, graduate, student or employee.

There are however conditions on the range and extent which govern eligibility. Potential applicants are asked to refer to the grant aid policies. Named Prizes are awarded to students obtaining the highest achievement in The Institute's examinations for The Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme. Recipients are identified by The Institute.

Download the application form for assistance here

Volunteer

If you are a member, graduate, student or employee of The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, please consider becoming a visitor. While no payment is made, appropriate expenses are refunded.

Many of our beneficiaries are elderly and live alone. They obtain great comfort from knowing that they have a direct contact with the Trust through its volunteer visitor scheme. The Trustees also highly value the view of our visitors on the circumstances of beneficiaries and their need for support. Particularly so when the Trust receives a request from a new applicant, or the beneficiary is making a significant request. A visit can identify a specific need, for example help with clothing or gardening, which might not be articulated by the beneficiary in an application form or letter.

Trustees aim that every beneficiary in the UK should have the opportunity to receive two contacts a year from a visitor, where appropriate. While one of these should be a visit, the second contact may be a telephone call. The objectives are to ensure:

• Beneficiaries are provided with an opportunity to discuss their specific needs, which can then be articulated by the visitor to the Trust on behalf of the beneficiary.
• Trustees can be confident that resources are targeted to beneficiaries who are most in need.

The number of visits in a year varies for each visitor and depends on the number of beneficiaries near to you. It is therefore possible that a visit might not be called upon by the Trust until a beneficiary emerged in your area.

Please note trustees require that visitors agree to a basic criminal records disclosure prior to any visits being made.

Contact us on csct@cgi.org.uk to find out more.

Our policies

Appeals policy

Our Appeals policy outlines the procedure for applicants to the Trust who wish to appeal the outcome of a decision made by the Support and Grants Committee.

Complaints and comments policy

Our Complaints and comments policy provides details on how to submit complaints or comments about the service provided by the Trust.

Data protection policy

Our Data protection policy provides details on the Trust’s approach to data protection and how and why we collect, use and store personal data in relation to consent, legitimate interest or legal requirement.

Grant Aid policy for assistance

Our Grant aid policy outlines the eligibility criteria for individuals in financial need who are requesting financial assistance.

Education and Research grant aid policy

Our Education and Research grant aid policy outlines the eligibility criteria for grants to support the research and publication of results of such research, in the field of governance and business administration, or other activity, which in the opinion of the Trustees, will engage the public, and significantly progress and promote the practice of good governance and business administration.

Privacy notice

Our Privacy notice gives greater detail about how and why we collect, use and store personal data provided to us in order to assist applicants and beneficiaries. Information about data subject’s rights is provided along with details about who to contact with any queries or to request details about their personal data held by the Trust (commonly referred to as a Subject Access Request).

Safeguarding policy

Our Safeguarding policy outlines the Trust’s approach to Safeguarding individuals that interact with the objects and activities of the Trust.

Statement of Investment Policy

Our Statement of Investment Policy outlines the Trust’s approach and objectives for investments in the Benevolence, Education and Research and Prize funds.

Donate

Trustees are very grateful for the generous donations received.

The Trust also benefits further, if you Gift Aid your donation. If you are a UK taxpayer, using Gift Aid means that for every £1 you give, the Trust can claim Gift Aid tax relief of 25p from HMRC. This means that a £100 donation can be turned into £125 if Gift Aid is claimed. 

To qualify for Gift Aid, you must pay enough UK Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax at least equal to the tax that the Trust reclaims on your donations in the appropriate tax year. The tax you have paid could include tax deducted at source from savings interest, tax on pensions or investments.

Further information can be found on www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity.

Click here option for Gift Aid declaration form

Donations can be made directly to the Trust by cheque or ongoing direct debit, or by Credit Card, Paypal, CAF voucher or ongoing direct debit payments via CAF Donate using the link below: