CVS can support you to set up a new organisation, but first it is worth checking to see if there are any existing groups in your area.
If there aren’t, and you are interested in setting up a new voluntary or community organisation, you’ll need to be able to answer two key questions:
- What will the organisation do?
- Who will benefit from the work that the organisation will do?
You will need a committee who will share the responsibility of running the organisation, so this is a good time to involve more people. The DIY Committee Guide outlines the role and support of committee members.
We will use the Legal Structures Chart to show you the different types of organisation that you could choose from, together with the main characteristics of each form.
If you want further information on the differences between a Community Interest Company and a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, then see our quick guide to CICs and CIOs.
Once you’ve decided on a legal structure, your organisation will need to adopt a written set of rules, also known as a governing document or constitution. It will outline how you all agree to work together, covering areas like management committees, finances and general meetings. CVS can help you to create a governing document for your group ensuring that it reflects what you aim to do and how you want to work towards it, as well as giving you flexibility for the future. We can also help through the process of registering a charity or forming a Community Interest Company. We also have a specific social enterprise section.
If you have decided that becoming a registered charity is the best way forward for you, we recommend following the Small Charities Coalition simple guide for setting up a charity.
You may also find attending one of our Fit for Funding Workshops very useful when you are considering setting up a new organisation.