We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
Departments, agencies and public bodies
News stories, speeches, letters and notices
Detailed guidance, regulations and rules
Reports, analysis and official statistics
Consultations and strategy
Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports
Guidance for people who are thinking about fundraising for charity, including for an emergency situation, from the Charity Commission of England and Wales and the Fundraising Regulator.
To start a charity you need trustees, to choose a business structure, decide suitable charitable purposes and you may have to register with the Charity Commission.
There are 6 steps to setting up a charity. Find trustees for your charity…
Your charity must have ‘charitable purposes’ that help the public (known…
The official name of your charity is known as its ‘main name’. Your…
You must choose a structure for your charity, which will affect things…
You must create a ‘governing document’ (or ‘rulebook’) for your charity…
You must apply to register your charity if both: its income is at least…
Find out what a charity is, how VAT affects charities, how to treat a charity's income for VAT and what VAT reliefs a charity can get on what it buys.
How to set up a charity: find trustees, choose a name and structure, create a governing document, meet the public benefit requirement, register your charity.
We register and regulate charities in England and Wales, to ensure that the public can support charities with confidence. The Charity Commission is a non-ministerial department.
This guide outlines what the law in England and Wales says a charity is.
How to identify partners to work with, draw up agreements and fundraise for other charities.
New insights from sector data suggest that charities have been able to direct additional resources to delivering their aims, amidst a tightening financial squeeze.
Do not include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab and requires JavaScript).