Setting Up a Charity - Michael Harwood & Co in Leamington Spa

Before setting up a charity

There are many points to consider before setting up a charity. Firstly, you will need to establish whether creating a new charity is the best way forward. Have you considered alternative ways of achieving your aims?

You should also investigate whether there are any existing charities with the same purposes and activities as yours. With around 180,000 registered charities in England and Wales (plus many more unregistered organisations), it is possible that there will already be an organisation doing similar charitable work in your chosen area.

Once you have decided to set up a charity, you should consider the following:

  • Ensuring the Public Benefit requirement is met
  • Opening a bank account.
  • Selecting trustees who are jointly responsible for the running of the charity
  • Establishing the charitable purposes
  • Setting up a suitable 'Governing document'

Do I need to register?

Michael Harwood & Co can help to ascertain whether or not you need to register your charity, as the decision is not always straightforward. Only organisations with aims that are charitable for public benefit are allowed to register, while certain organisations are prohibited from registering.

Charities with income of less than £5,000 are not allowed to register, neither are local branches that form part of a larger organisation. Please contact Michael Harwood & Co for further information.

Contact Michael Harwood & Co in Leamington Spa

Michael Harwood & Co have considerable experience in working with charities, not-for-profit organisations and community interest companies.

From our offices in Leamington Spa, the team can assist start-up charities with:

  • Companies House and HMRC registrations
  • Choosing the most appropriate legal structure
  • Preparing budgets and business plans
  • Compliance with Charity Commission and Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities.
  • Securing funding
  • Registering with the Charities Commission

Setting up a charity can present many challenges and the help and support of a specialist firm of accountants can prove invaluable. That's why Michael Harwood & Co offer a range of services tailored to charities and not-for-profit organisations. If you are thinking of setting up a charity our friendly team would welcome the opportunity to guide you through the process.

To discover how Michael Harwood & Co can help you with setting up a charity, please contact a member of our specialist charity team in Leamington Spa.