Governance Information
Effective Date: July 30th 2026
Our Commitment to Good Governance
Helena Hope Foundation (HHF) is committed to responsible, transparent, ethical, and accountable governance.
We recognise that the trust placed in a foundation comes with significant responsibility. Our governance arrangements are designed to help ensure that HHF’s resources, programmes, partnerships, and decisions remain focused on our mission and the people and communities we serve.
Our Mission
Helena Hope Foundation exists to reach people facing vulnerability and limited opportunity, empower individuals and communities with knowledge, skills, resources and opportunities, and contribute to lasting social and economic development.
Our Governance Principles
HHF seeks to operate according to the following principles:
Integrity
We seek to act honestly, ethically and in the best interests of the Foundation and the people we serve.
Accountability
We accept responsibility for our decisions, resources, programmes and commitments.
Transparency
We seek to communicate openly about our work, governance, activities and impact.
Dignity and Inclusion
We respect the dignity, rights, safety and worth of every person.
Responsible Stewardship
We seek to use financial, human and other resources responsibly and for purposes consistent with our mission.
Safeguarding
The protection of children, vulnerable adults, programme participants, staff and communities is central to our work.
Learning and Improvement
We seek to learn from evidence, experience, feedback and the communities with whom we work.
Governance Structure
HHF’s governance structure is designed to provide appropriate oversight of the organisation’s strategy, finances, programmes, risk management and accountability.
Board / Trustees
The Board or Trustees provide overall governance and strategic oversight of the Foundation.
Their responsibilities may include:
- Approving HHF’s strategic direction
- Providing oversight of management
- Protecting the Foundation’s mission and values
- Overseeing financial stewardship
- Reviewing organisational risks
- Supporting accountability and transparency
- Ensuring appropriate safeguarding arrangements
- Reviewing organisational performance and impact
- Declaring and managing conflicts of interest
- Ensuring compliance with applicable requirements
Management
Management is responsible for implementing the Foundation’s strategy and managing day to day operations within the authority delegated by the governing body.
This may include:
- Programme delivery
- Staff and volunteer management
- Partnerships
- Financial administration
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Communications
- Risk management
- Safeguarding implementation
Staff and Volunteers
Staff and volunteers are expected to carry out their responsibilities professionally, ethically and in accordance with HHF policies and procedures.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
HHF expects individuals involved in governance or decision-making to disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest.
Where a conflict exists, appropriate steps will be taken to protect the interests of HHF and maintain objective decision-making.
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
HHF is committed to responsible financial management.
We seek to maintain appropriate controls relating to:
- Income and donations
- Expenditure
- Approvals
- Record keeping
- Procurement
- Financial reporting
- Bank accounts
- Fraud prevention
- Restricted funds where applicable
SAFEGUARDING
HHF recognises its responsibility to protect people who come into contact with its work.
Our safeguarding approach applies to children, vulnerable adults, programme participants, staff, volunteers, partners and other individuals affected by our activities.
Further information is contained in our Safeguarding & Protection Policy.
ACCOUNTABILITY TO COMMUNITIES
HHF believes communities should not simply be recipients of programmes.
Where appropriate, we seek to:
- Listen to communities.
- Understand local needs.
- Involve people in relevant decisions.
- Respond to concerns.
- Learn from feedback.
- Respect local knowledge and dignity.
TRANSPARENCY
As HHF develops, we intend to make relevant organisational information available through appropriate channels, including:
- Governance information
- Key organisational policies
- Programme information
- Impact reporting
- Financial information where appropriate
- Annual reports
- Relevant organisational updates
Our commitment
We want the people who support HHF and the communities we serve to understand not only what we do, but how we are governed and how we seek to remain accountable.