Can I create a charity being alone?

motorguy

Jessica9 wrote: »

At your link one can read:

So I could set out the minimum of trustee to one in my governing document.

Thats all very well, but applying to be a charity has to be approved by the charity commission. They'll simply return your application until such times as you meet their recommendations.

(I worked for the Charity Commission up until last month)

Savvy_Sue

Note that a charity has to remain solvent, just as a business does. I'm really unclear as to why the OP isn't continuing with the company they were running but thinks this will work.

Brassedoff

I have set up two charitable companies (CIC's), one CSAC and one full on Charity for clients.

To answer your question, for all the Charity and CIC you need the trustees's and board in place. A CSAC needs a committee and constitution.

Going back to the Charity you know about the £5000. The important thing is it is just like a company, but with oversight. While your board may have a chairman, company secretary and directors. The trustees will need a stricter format as personal responsibility comes into play. The most important is the treasurer and a broad range of active trustees inc Chair and Secretary.

Having been around these things for over 10 years, I have come across Husband and Wife teams, but with strict beneficiary oversight in the trustees team(Help for hero's is an example).

Good luck, I hope it all goes well and you raise some money for your cause.

Jessica9_2

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Note that a charity has to remain solvent, just as a business does. I'm really unclear as to why the OP isn't continuing with the company they were running but thinks this will work.

My company is limited by share and in order to have a 'charity' number at HMRC the company must be limited by guarantee. Also, I believe the best solution seems to be to create the company this last so and just register with HMRC. If there is a way to raise fund through a company limited by share without becoming suspicious please let me know.

Jessica9_2

Brassedoff wrote: »

I have set up two charitable companies (CIC's), one CSAC and one full on Charity for clients.

To answer your question, for all the Charity and CIC you need the trustees's and board in place. A CSAC needs a committee and constitution.

Going back to the Charity you know about the £5000. The important thing is it is just like a company, but with oversight. While your board may have a chairman, company secretary and directors. The trustees will need a stricter format as personal responsibility comes into play. The most important is the treasurer and a broad range of active trustees inc Chair and Secretary.

Having been around these things for over 10 years, I have come across Husband and Wife teams, but with strict beneficiary oversight in the trustees team(Help for hero's is an example).

Good luck, I hope it all goes well and you raise some money for your cause.

So, what do you advise me? Continue my activities through my present company limited by share? Or to create a new company limited by guarantee?

Savvy_Sue

In general, my advice would be NOT to start a new charity, but to direct your fundraising efforts to an existing charity. However you'll probably say there isn't one doing exactly what you want to do ... which is why we have so many small charities struggling to survive.

motorguy

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

In general, my advice would be NOT to start a new charity, but to direct your fundraising efforts to an existing charity. However you'll probably say there isn't one doing exactly what you want to do ... which is why we have so many small charities struggling to survive.

+1

Totally agree.

Why create another one with administrative overhead rather than raise money for one that already exists.

Jessica9_2

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

In general, my advice would be NOT to start a new charity, but to direct your fundraising efforts to an existing charity. However you'll probably say there isn't one doing exactly what you want to do ... which is why we have so many small charities struggling to survive.

No, the problem is the difficulty to find one that will accept a fair partnership. Most of them, as soon as I have said that I have a fundraising project they respond : "we do not have money".

It will be a great help if you can give me the list of a dozen of reputable charities that use to collaborate with individuals willing to raise fund for a cause.

Jessica9_2

motorguy wrote: »

+1

Totally agree.

Why create another one with administrative overhead rather than raise money for one that already exists.

More difficult than it can look like : there are not so much charities with high standard that easily accept to work with individuals like me.

Jessica9_2

I have incorporated the limited company by guaranty and now I am trying to fill the HMRC Charities Application Form. However, since I am alone at the moment in the organization I have problem with the followings conditions (at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/complete-form-cha1.htm#1 ):

The Responsible Persons

This should be a person with legal responsibility for running your organisation and includes:

• trustees
• directors (where your organisation is a company)
• other persons in controlling positions in your organisation such as the Treasurer, Company Secretary and Financial Controller