{"id":1036,"date":"2021-10-07T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-07T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/articles\/how-to-start-a-charity\/"},"modified":"2025-05-22T13:17:54","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:17:54","slug":"how-to-start-a-charity","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/starting-out\/how-to-start-a-charity\/","title":{"rendered":"How to start a charity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From trustees and registration to your first fundraiser, how do you start a charity? Create your action plan with our complete guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tips below apply to startup charities in England and Wales. There are different rules for setting up a charity in Scotland and Northern Ireland, so be sure to check the <\/strong>Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)<\/strong><\/a> and the <\/strong>Charity Commission for Northern Ireland<\/strong><\/a>, depending on where you\u2019re based.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting up a charity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gov.uk sets out six key steps for setting up your charity. And because a charity, just like a business, carries risk for everyone involved, it\u2019s important to put the effort in with your set-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting corners can lead to legal issues and tax problems, so check off the following steps and get advice wherever you need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to start a charity in the UK: six key steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Find trustees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Charity trustees share ultimate responsibility for governing the charity, directing how it\u2019s managed and run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll usually need at least three, and the government has a good hub page giving you all the tools you need to recruit your trustees properly<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a trustee?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Trustees will play a key role in managing your charity. They\u2019ll contribute industry experience to help run your charity, manage communication with the public, and take the lead when it comes to recruiting senior staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When recruiting trustees, you\u2019ll need to refer to your governing document (see below) to make sure there are no rules on the maximum number of trustees your charity can have, how long they can stay for, and whether there\u2019s a specific way they need to be appointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Do you have \u2018charitable purposes for the public benefit?\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Charitable purposes\u2019 can relate to many things, from relieving poverty and saving lives to animal welfare or the arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check gov.uk\u2019s guidance for where your charitable purposes might fit in<\/a> and remember, you can\u2019t set up a charity to support one specific person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writing charitable purposes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When writing your charitable purposes, you\u2019ll need to outline your outcomes and how they\u2019ll be achieved, as well as who you\u2019re aiming to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your written purposes will help the Charity Commission and HMRC decide if your organisation is a charity and qualifies for tax relief. They\u2019ll also help the public to understand your charity\u2019s mission, while giving trustees the information they need to run the organisation effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The official guidance on how to write charitable purposes<\/a> gives a range of examples and advice on the type of wording you should use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Choose a name<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are lots of rules around naming your charity, some less obvious than others. For example, it\u2019s likely you\u2019ll need approval from the Charity Commission to use \u2018charity\u2019 in your name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use gov.uk\u2019s pointers to pin down your name<\/a> (there\u2019s a link to the charities register to check what\u2019s already taken).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for inspiration, our business name generator<\/a> can give you some useful ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Have a structure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re thinking about how to start a charity organisation, the structure you choose will affect who runs your charity and how, and whether you can employ people or own property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government lists four common charity structures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n