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Small charities play a vital role in our society.

The vast majority of Australia's registered charities are small, and these organisations do not have the resources of their larger counterparts. Most rely heavily on the contributions, goodwill and knowledge of volunteers.

To assist the thousands of small charities, we have the Small Charities Library - a collection of factsheets, guides and templates.

These resources aim to provide Australia's small charities with information, advice and tools they can use to help them manage their organisation, run effective meetings and ensure they understand and meet their obligations.

Factsheet

Small Charities Library - Compliance and regulation

The ACNC’s regulatory approach places an emphasis on supporting charities to meet their obligations through advice, guidance and education. Understanding charities is at the centre of that approach.
Factsheet

Small Charities Library - Handovers

Handovers are a vital way to ensure charity continuity, to properly manage change and to prevent the loss of key charity knowledge. 
Factsheet

Small Charities Library - Reporting for small charities

Registered charities have an obligation to complete an Annual Information Statement each year. This includes answering questions about their charity’s finances. The level of reporting for small charities differs to that which is required by medium and large charities.
Factsheet

Small Charities Library - Social media

Charities should use social media responsibly, in line with public expectations and in ways which do not compromise the charity’s reputation or community standing. A social media policy can help guide charity behaviour and mitigate risks.

Template

Annual general meeting templates

These templates aim to help charities with the running of their annual general meeting. There are templates for an agenda, meeting minutes and meeting notice.
Template

Charity annual report template

This template can be used to develop an annual report for your charity. It has space for you to include an overview of activities, governance, finances and other important information.
Template

Complaints-handling: model policy and procedure

National peak bodies in the charity sector have developed a model policy and procedure to improve the way charities handle complaints. The model policy ensures complaints are handled confidentially and safely, enhancing community trust and confidence in the work of charities.
Template

Conflict of interest policy

This template policy is intended to be used as a starting point for charities in developing their own conflict of interest policy.
Template

Governing document templates and model rules

Each charity has a governing document which sets out its charitable purposes, confirms that it operates on a not-for-profit basis, and details how its governing body makes decisions and consults any members. These templates are examples that charities can use.
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Checklist for new Responsible or Authorised People

This checklist is for new charity Responsible or Authorised People. It outlines the steps you should take to ensure your charity’s details are up to date, you understand the obligations your charity has to the ACNC, and you have access to the charity in the Charity Portal. You can use this checklist as part of your handover process.
Template

Meeting agenda

Use this template to set an agenda for a meeting of your charity's governing body.
Template

Meeting minutes

Use this template when recording minutes for a meeting of your charity's governing body (such as a board meeting).
Template

Register of interests

This template register of interests can be used alongside the ACNC's conflict of interests policy template.
Template

Details of Responsible People template

Use this template to collect the required information about your charity’s Responsible People. Do not submit this document to the ACNC. To update your charity’s Responsible People, log in to the ACNC Charity Portal. 

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Self-evaluation for charities

Charities can use the ACNC's self-evaluation tool to help them assess if they are meeting their obligations, and to identify any issues that may prevent them from doing so.
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Record-keeping checklist

This record-keeping checklist promotes good record-keeping practice and supports charities in meeting their ACNC obligations. It is intended as a guide and is not meant to be an exhaustive list.