Commercial partnerships can benefit charities - but they carry substantial risks. This is just one of the findings of a report by the Charity Commission into charity-business partnerships, highlighting both pitfalls and good practice. It says commercial partnerships are not always the safest and most effective form of fundraising. Traditional methods such as legacies or appeals for donations carry less risk and can be more effective. It says a charity risks damage to its reputation by association with a business which undertakes activity inconsistent with its ethical standards. Trustees should consider all risks before entering into an agreement.