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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…
Search the charity register to find details of registered charities in England and Wales including contact information, activities, latest financial reports and current trustees.
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.
Access to our online services has changed. Set up or sign into your new My Charity Commission Account.
Tax exemptions and reliefs for charities - apply for recognition by HMRC as a charity, reclaim tax on Gift Aid, profits and expenditure
How to set up and use your new 'Charity Commission Account' to access online services on behalf of your charity.
Apply for a Temporary Work - Charity Worker visa to do unpaid charity work - eligibility, documents, family members
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.
Charities registered in England or Wales must send an annual return to the Charity Commission or report their income and spending every year.
What Gift Aid is, who can claim, what donations are eligible for Gift Aid, Gift Aid declarations for your charity or community amateur sports club (CASC), how to claim
Tax relief on donations, Gift Aid, payroll giving, leaving a gift in your will, keeping tax records; find a charity; donating land, property or shares
Charities can register online with HMRC and claim tax relief or get tax back on Gift Aid donations and bank interest, charitable purposes, registration
Change your charity's details with the Charity Commission online.
Find guidance on raising funds for your charity and what trustees need to consider.
How to identify partners to work with, draw up agreements and fundraise for other charities.
How to take a complaint about a charity further, including what you can complain about and reporting serious incidents to the Charity Commission, Fundraising Standards Board and Advertising Standards Authority
You can claim a relief to pay no Customs Duty and VAT if you're importing goods for charitable use.
You must send an annual return if your charity’s income is more than £10,000. All charities must keep their registered details up to date.
How to link charities to make accounting and reporting easier.
Before you start to set up a charity make sure that you know it is the best option for what you want to do.
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
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