Promoting charity accountability: understanding disclosure of serious incidents

Abstract

Charities are under increasing pressure to be accountable. Using a novel dataset, we provide the first analysis of the characteristics of charities voluntarily disclosing details of serious incidents that may threaten their organisation. Financial loss, fraud and theft, and personal behavior account for a majority of serious incidents reported. Larger, older organisations that have previously been subject to a regulatory investigation are more likely to report serious incidents. However, it is smaller, younger charities where the regulator perceives there to be greater risk of organisational demise arising from the incident. HIGHLIGHTS Financial loss, fraud/theft, and personal behaviour most common incidents reported. A clear link between the type of incident and the regulator's response. Larger, older charities previously subject to an investigation more likely to report. Regulator identifies a greater risk of organisational demise for smaller charities. Deeper understanding of the size and distribution of risk in the charity sector.