how to set up a charity?

[ETEK]

anyone familiar with the procedure to set up a charity? should I incorporate a priviate company limited by guarantee firstly and then register with the Charity Commission?

 

[Billmccallum]

It depends on the objectives of the organisation, you can run a company with charitable objectives without registering a charity, as most social enterprise are companies limited by guarantee or CIC's.

I have set up and managed a few charities in my time and would be happy to advise.

Feel free to PM.

 

[Antony Warnes]

I'm in a similar situation and finding the amount of information out there is overwhelming and anybody offering advice tends to want money despite this being charity related!

We run a club which does children's activities and in the last 2 years nobody has made a penny out of it other than a few of the coaches we've hired in for sessions.

With raising costs, a huge rates bill and a unit which needs some serious updating we have decided we want to run as some form of charity.

At present it is ran as a self employed business trading as the company name and we need to figure out how we can go from that to running as a self supporting charity.

We're not looking to fund raise or anything like that but we are hoping that we can move to a newer premisses and get some reduction on our rates and possibly apply for a couple of small grants to enable us to invest in better equipment and keep our activities prices affordable for those on low incomes.

If anybody has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Billmccallum]

I'm in a similar situation and finding the amount of information out there is overwhelming and anybody offering advice tends to want money despite this being charity related!

We run a club which does children's activities and in the last 2 years nobody has made a penny out of it other than a few of the coaches we've hired in for sessions.

With raising costs, a huge rates bill and a unit which needs some serious updating we have decided we want to run as some form of charity.

At present it is ran as a self employed business trading as the company name and we need to figure out how we can go from that to running as a self supporting charity.

We're not looking to fund raise or anything like that but we are hoping that we can move to a newer premisses and get some reduction on our rates and possibly apply for a couple of small grants to enable us to invest in better equipment and keep our activities prices affordable for those on low incomes.

If anybody has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.

Where are you based? I might be able to help.

 

[Antony Warnes]

This is in the Wakefield area.

Any help & advice would be much appreciated

 

[Billmccallum]

This is in the Wakefield area.

Any help & advice would be much appreciated

I'll send you a PM.

 

[brightblackstudio]

Hi

I'm looking to set up an ecommerce business where most of the money from the stock goes to charity. However the money for the advertising on the site goes partly to running the business, website, new events, marketing etc and then the rest for wages/profit. Do you think I need to register this as a charity or does the fact we're making a small living from it change it to a business? Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated. The money we make on the charity side would be split between various charities so I wasnt sure if this just changed it into a fundraising business as opposed to a proper charity. However as part of the business we would like to take on new graduates, students, young people needing a break etc. Even if just for short periods of time as a partly paid work experience to give them the much needed confidence and experience they need! I'm confused about where to start but so excited and enthusiastic about starting it and trying to make a difference!

Thankyou in advance for any advice!

 

[My Owl 1]

As The Welsh Treasurer for the National Institute for Fundraising, I would suggest going on line to the Institute of Fundraising and getting advice from our staff in London. They will be able to help you with not only the set up but the Codes of Practice for fundraising, any training needs and links to the Fundraising Standards Board.

www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/guidance/about-fundraising/

There are also regional offices for the IOF across the UK.

I hope that helps.

Best wishes

Avril

 

[Billmccallum]

Hi

I'm looking to set up an ecommerce business where most of the money from the stock goes to charity. However the money for the advertising on the site goes partly to running the business, website, new events, marketing etc and then the rest for wages/profit. Do you think I need to register this as a charity or does the fact we're making a small living from it change it to a business? Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated. The money we make on the charity side would be split between various charities so I wasnt sure if this just changed it into a fundraising business as opposed to a proper charity. However as part of the business we would like to take on new graduates, students, young people needing a break etc. Even if just for short periods of time as a partly paid work experience to give them the much needed confidence and experience they need! I'm confused about where to start but so excited and enthusiastic about starting it and trying to make a difference!

Thankyou in advance for any advice!

it may be better to go down the social enterprise route, have a chat with http://www.careco-ops.org.uk/social-enterprise/