Governance
Governance that protects trust, purpose and legacy.
The Legacy Endowment CIC is being built as an asset-locked community wealth institution.
Its governance framework is designed to protect the endowment, safeguard community benefit
and ensure that decisions are made with transparency, responsibility and long-term stewardship.
Why Governance Matters
A community endowment must be trusted before it can be powerful.
The Legacy Endowment CIC is inspired by the legacy of West Indian and African communities arriving in Britain enmass from the 1950’s, and exists to build a protected pool of community wealth for Black
communities in the United Kingdom. This mission requires more than fundraising. It requires a governance structure that protects the mission, manages risk and keeps the organisation focused on long-term community benefit.
Governance is how the CIC will protect its assets, make responsible decisions and ensure that contributions
are used in line with the organisation’s purpose.
Governance Structure
Three layers of oversight and advice.
Our Board
The Board is responsible for legal oversight, strategic direction, risk management and ensuring that the CIC delivers its community interest purpose.
Our Advisory Council / Committee
The Advisory Council or Committee provides community insight, lived experience, sector knowledge and advice on priorities that matter to West Indian and African communities.
Investment Committee and Fund Management
The Investment Committee and fund management function will support responsible decisions around asset acquisition, income generation, risk and long-term growth.
Asset-Locked Purpose
Protecting community wealth from private extraction.
The CIC structure is central to the endowment’s purpose. It helps ensure that assets are held for
community benefit and that the organisation remains focused on its public mission.
- Assets protected for community benefit.
- Clear oversight of major decisions.
- Controls around conflicts of interest.
- Long-term stewardship of donations, partnerships and assets.
Operating Model
From contribution to protected community value.
The operating model connects supporters, donors, patrons, businesses and institutions to a disciplined
endowment structure. Contributions help build the fund. Governance determines how resources are protected, invested and directed towards community benefit.
As the CIC grows, decisions about assets, partnerships and funding priorities should be documented,
reviewed and aligned with the long-term mission.
Accountability
How trust will be protected.
CIC Asset Lock
Assets are protected for community benefit and must be used in line with the CIC’s purpose.
Board Oversight
The Board oversees governance, compliance, risk, strategy and stewardship.
Conflict Controls
Directors, advisers and partners should declare conflicts and step back where required.
Community Benefit
Decisions should be tested against the benefit delivered to the communities the CIC exists to serve.
Investment Discipline
Asset decisions should be guided by prudence, risk management and long-term sustainability.
Annual Reporting
The CIC should report on progress, activity, outcomes and how it advances community interest.
Decision-Making
A disciplined approach to priorities and assets.
As the endowment grows, the CIC will need to make careful decisions about what to support, what to buy,
what to hold and how income should be used.
A trusted institution for long-term legacy
Good governance is how the endowment protects the future.
The Legacy Endowment CIC is being built to combine community participation with disciplined stewardship,
so that today’s contributions can become tomorrow’s lasting assets.