Charities
Charities play a vital role, often filling gaps where public services may not reach. One prominent example is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which, as a fully funded charity without government assistance, provides a crucial life-saving service. Whether your charity is large or small, we offer expert legal advice on all aspects, from daily operations to complex asset transactions.
If you’re considering starting a charity, driven by a personal passion to make a difference, we can guide you through the legal framework. Setting up a charity as a registered entity is the most effective route to raise funds, but this requires either existing assets, anticipated income, or a clearly defined charitable purpose—such as advancing education, promoting religion, or relieving poverty. Note, however, that charities cannot be created for the exclusive benefit of a single individual. We can help you explore other pathways if your cause involves supporting a specific person.
In the early stages, the Charity Commission will review any proposed charity, ensuring there isn’t an existing organization in the area that could serve the same purpose and confirming that the intended trustees are capable of managing the charity.
For those involved with an established group considering charity status, we can assist in weighing the benefits, including exemptions from business rates, income tax, and stamp duty. We’ll help you balance these advantages with the reporting, accounting, and regulatory requirements that accompany charitable status.
Finally, it’s essential to remember that a charity’s assets remain charitable in perpetuity. Should the charity be dissolved, assets must be transferred to another charitable organization, never distributed among individual members.
Contact us today to learn how our expertise can support your charitable mission.