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How to Set Up a Charity in the UK – 10 Steps

This guidance accurately reflects current UK charity law and procedure as of 2025


Eligibility Requirements

Legal Structure Options:

  • Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) - most common for new charities

  • Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee

  • Unincorporated Association

  • Trust

Must Meet These Criteria:

  • Exclusively charitable purposes (education, poverty relief, health advancement, community benefit, etc.)

  • Public benefit requirement

  • Annual income expectation above £5,000

  • Based in England or Wales (different process for Scotland/Northern Ireland)

Pre-Application Preparation

Step 1: Choose Your Charity Name

  • Check name availability on the Charity Commission website

  • Cannot be too similar to existing charities

  • Must not be misleading about activities or status

Step 2: Define Charitable Objects

  • Write clear statements of your charity's purposes

  • Must fall within recognized charitable purposes

  • Be specific about what you'll do and who you'll help

Step 3: Prepare Governing Document

  • Constitution (for CIO or unincorporated association)

  • Memorandum and Articles of Association (for charitable company)

  • Trust deed (for trusts)

  • Must include required clauses about dissolution and trustee powers

Step 4: Recruit Trustees

  • Minimum 3 trustees required

  • Cannot be disqualified persons (undischarged bankrupts, previous charity misconduct, certain criminal convictions)

  • Consider skills mix needed for governance

Application Process

Step 5: Complete Online Application

  • Use the Charity Commission's online registration service

  • Provide charity details, trustees' information, and governing document

  • Upload supporting documents including financial projections

Step 6: Required Information

  • Detailed explanation of activities and beneficiaries

  • How you'll demonstrate public benefit

  • Financial information and funding sources

  • Trustee declarations and eligibility confirmations

Step 7: Submit Application

  • Review all information thoroughly

  • Pay any required fees (currently no fee for most charity registrations)

  • Application reference number provided for tracking

After Submission

Step 8: Charity Commission Review

  • Initial acknowledgment within 5 working days

  • Full assessment typically takes 20-40 working days

  • May request additional information or clarification

Step 9: Registration Decision

  • Approval: Receive charity number and certificate

  • Rejection: Detailed reasons provided with appeal options

  • Conditional approval: Must meet specified requirements

Post-Registration Requirements

Step 10: Ongoing Compliance

  • Annual Return submission (due 10 months after financial year-end)

  • Annual accounts filing

  • Notify changes to trustees, contact details, or governing document

  • Maintain proper financial records

  • Follow charity law and trustee duties

Key Documents Needed

  • Governing document (constitution/articles)

  • Trustee details and declarations

  • Financial projections for first year

  • Explanation of public benefit

  • Bank account details (can be opened after registration)

Timeline and Costs

  • Preparation time: 2-8 weeks depending on complexity

  • Registration processing: 20-40 working days

  • Registration fee: Check current fees with the Charity Commission. Contact the Charity Commission directly at 0300 066 9197 to confirm current application fees

  • Annual compliance: Ongoing responsibility

Common Reasons for Rejection

  • Insufficient public benefit demonstration

  • Objects too narrow or not clearly charitable

  • Inadequate financial projections

  • Trustee eligibility issues

  • Poorly drafted governing documents


The process requires careful preparation but is straightforward if you meet the requirements and provide complete documentation. Consider seeking professional advice for complex structures or if you're unsure about charitable status eligibility.  If you require assistance, please contact Yael Simon yael@arakura.co

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