Description
This service is suitable for those who would like to set up a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) or other type of charity that will qualify to register as a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) or both
Charity law says that, to be a charity, an organisation must have purposes which are exclusively charitable for public benefit. To become a charity, you will need to put in place a governing document (the set of rules that say what your charity does and how) with objects that are exclusively charitable
The type of governing document that you use to set up your charity will depend on what structure you choose. There are four main options for the structure of a charity – a charitable association, a charitable trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee or a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
The requirement to register as a charity is set down in law and this can be complex. The Charity Commission and OSCR will only register organisations that are exclusively charitable for the public benefit and meet the respective qualification criteria
Our approach is to offer you a free initial telephone consultation about your proposal to help you to decide if setting up and registering as a charity is the right option for you
If you then decide to use our Start and Register a Charity service, we will ask you for further details about what you plan to do and how so that we can guide you on what you need to do to become a charity
We will use our extensive knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework that applies to charities to guide you through the process for setting up a charity. We will explain the options for the structure of your new charity and help you to choose the structure that most suits what your charity will do and how
Depending on which structure you choose, we will prepare a governing document with objects that are exclusively charitable and administrative provisions that are suitable for your charity’s needs
Once the governing document is in place, we will apply to register your charity with the Charity Commission or OSCR*. We will help you to collate all the relevant information and documents needed to support the application and complete and submit the application form on your behalf. We will then deal with all correspondence with the Charity Commission or OSCR until a registration decision has been made.
Included in the price of this service:
Assessment of your proposal and guidance about what you need to do to set up your new charity so that it meets the strict legal rules to be a charity
Draft a governing document with objects that are exclusively charitable
Guidance about what documents and information you will need to register as a charity
Prepare and submit the registration application form on your behalf
In consultation with you, deal with all ongoing correspondence with the Charity Commission or OSCR until a registration decision is made
Business Plan template and guide to writing a charity business plan
Policies for Child and/or Adult Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest and Grant Making
*Please note that there is an additional fee of £200 if we apply on your behalf to register as a charity with both the Charity Commission and OSCR
