JOHN PRICE

ACCOUNTING SERVICES FOR THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR

CHARITY START-UP

 

 

Starting a charity can be a daunting but wonderfully fulfilling venture. For many though, it is the weight of bureaucratic and administrative requirements that can prove most off-putting. Indeed, in starting a new charity, there are many questions that you will need to consider:

 

• What is the purpose of the charity? In defining your objects, it is important to consider if they fall within the Charity Commission guideline for public benefit

• What type of organisational structure do you wish to use? There are several alternatives, the most common of which are unincorporated associations, trusts and companies limited by guarantee. Also, in the near future a new alternative will become available - The Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

• Who will the trustees be? There needs to be a strong board of unpaid trustees to take responsibility for governance issues.

• What membership structure should be adopted? An often-neglected area, but members are of key importance and should be considered at the outset.

• How do we register with the Charity Commission.

• Who do we use as bankers?

• What is the business plan of the new charity? That is to say, what do we want to achieve and how will we pay for it. It is worth noting that the Charity Commission need evidence of at least £5,000 of funds before they will proceed with registration.

• How do we recover income tax on donations via gift aid?

Many of these questions are addressed by the websites listed on my resources page. More particularly, I am able to offer assistance in all these areas and would be delighted to have an in-depth discussion about your plans. Please feel free to phone or email me.

 

   John Price, 1b Oxford Street, Cheltenham, GL52 6DT, UK - 01242 262556 - jp@johnprice.org.uk