Cofrestru Elusen
Sut i gofrestru elusen gyda'r Comisiwn Elusennau.
Trosolwg
To operate as a registered charity in England and Wales, your organisation must be established for exclusively charitable purposes and provide public benefit. Registration with the Charity Commission is compulsory for most charities with an annual income over £5,000 (or any Charitable Incorporated Organisation regardless of income). The Commission will assess whether your purposes are charitable under the Charities Act 2011, whether you meet the public benefit requirement, and whether your governing document is suitable. Registration is free and typically takes 4–8 weeks for straightforward applications.
Pwy all ddefnyddio'r broses hon
- Your organisation is established for exclusively charitable purposes under the Charities Act 2011
- Your purposes are for the public benefit (not for private benefit)
- Your annual income is over £5,000 (or you are applying as a CIO)
- You have at least 3 trustees (recommended minimum) who are not disqualified from acting
- You have a suitable governing document (constitution, trust deed, or CIO constitution)
Proses gam wrth gam
Choose Your Charitable Structure
Decide on the legal form for your charity: Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) — the most popular for new charities, offering limited liability without Companies House regulation; Charitable Trust — simple to set up, best for grant-making; Unincorporated Association — suitable for membership organisations; or Charitable Company — a company limited by guarantee registered with both the Charity Commission and Companies House.
- A CIO is usually the best choice for new charities as it provides limited liability and is regulated only by the Charity Commission
- A charitable company is better if you need to enter significant contracts or employ staff
- Trusts are simplest but trustees have unlimited personal liability
Draft Your Governing Document
Prepare your governing document (constitution, trust deed, or articles of association) using the Charity Commission's model documents. The document must clearly state your charitable purposes, how trustees are appointed and removed, decision-making procedures, and provisions for winding up. The purposes must fall within the 13 descriptions in section 3 of the Charities Act 2011.
- Use the Charity Commission's model constitutions — they are designed to meet registration requirements
- Your purposes should be specific enough to guide your work but broad enough to allow flexibility
- Include a dissolution clause directing remaining assets to another charity with similar purposes
Appoint Your Trustees
Appoint at least 3 trustees (the Charity Commission strongly recommends a minimum of 3). Trustees must not be disqualified under the Charities Act 2011 (e.g., undischarged bankrupts, persons with unspent convictions for dishonesty). Trustees must make declarations of eligibility. Consider diversity of skills, experience, and background.
- Trustees must act in the charity's best interests, not their own
- Trustee roles are usually unpaid (payment requires specific constitutional provision or Commission authority)
- Check the automatic disqualification rules under the Charities Act 2011 section 178
Apply Online
Submit your application through the Charity Commission's online registration service. You will need: the completed governing document (signed/adopted), details of all trustees (including DBS checks where relevant), a description of your planned activities, financial projections, and evidence that your purposes are charitable and for the public benefit.
- Applications are free — there is no registration fee
- Be clear about how your activities will deliver public benefit
- Include specific examples of your planned charitable activities
Respond to Commission Queries
The Charity Commission may ask for additional information or amendments to your governing document. Respond promptly. Common issues include: purposes that are too vague, insufficient public benefit explanation, governing document provisions that don't meet requirements, or trustee eligibility concerns. Once satisfied, the Commission will register your charity and issue a registered charity number.
- Respond to queries within 28 days to avoid delays
- If asked to amend your purposes, use the Commission's suggested wording
- Registration typically takes 4–8 weeks for straightforward cases, longer if complex
Costau
Rhybuddion pwysig
Operating as a charity without registering (when required) is a criminal offence.
The name you choose must not be the same as or too similar to an existing charity — check the register first.
Trustees have legal duties and potential personal liability — ensure they understand their responsibilities.
Political purposes (seeking to change the law) cannot be the main purpose of a charity, though political activity can support charitable purposes.