The Value of Values

Values are the cornerstone of any charity's mission as they underpin everything a charity does as well as how they do it. The importance of values for a charity cannot be overstated, as they define its identity, shape its culture, and influence its impact on society.

Values can also be helpful when building trust and credibility with stakeholders. The reality is that transparency and ethics are increasingly important so charity leaders who adhere to strong values will find it easier to build trust with important groups. For example, volunteers and donors are more likely to support a charity they believe in, knowing that their contributions (financial or otherwise) are being used responsibly and ethically.

Some charities, such as professional bodies, may have a regulatory role, so it is important that they ‘eat their own toast’ by adhering to the same standards as they expect of others in their community. This is not a completely selfless act, since in times of uncertainty or crisis, it may well be the values that provide the resilience and adaptability needed to survive. For example, values can serve as a source of strength, helping charities to stay true to their charitable objectives.

Ultimately, charities need to ensure they have absolute clarity on their values and that these are well understood across the whole organisation. Once they are understood, it is important that the values are then lived and that they run through everything the charity does like a ‘stick of rock’.

Reflection Questions

1. Were the values of your charity created with all stakeholders or were they created by one stakeholder group (e.g. Staff or Trustees) and then provided for all stakeholders?
2. To what extent are the values in your charity well understood and lived by all stakeholders?