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Setting up a charity or a not-for-profit (NFP) organisation is an exciting step to take! But, of course, like any other business, you need to consider how this will all work. What documents do you need? How will you be fundraising? How will you obtain the right resources?
One of the most important things you should think about is your Charity Constitution. This governing document sets out the rights and duties of members and other key details.
Essentially, your Constitution needs to be compliant with certain requirements around NFPs.
How Do You Write A Charity Constitution?
When it comes down to writing a Charity Constitution, the terms will depend on the nature of your charity. For example, a standard Charity Constitution should contain:
- Your charitable purpose
- A statement that you are operating on a not-for-profit basis
- The rights and duties of members
- How trustees will be appointed
- How to close the charity
These are all terms that could vary between different NFP organisations. So, it’s a good idea to chat with a lawyer who can make sure that your Charity Constitution is tailored to your business’ purpose, and that you are compliant with the relevant bodies.
Do I Need A Charter Or A Constitution?
Each charity needs to have a governing document that sets out how things will be run. This governing document may be called different names depending on your charity structure.
For example, if you’re a cooperative, this governing document will be known as your charity constitution. However, if you’re a charity that was set up in some other way, it would be referred to as a Charter.
How Do I Register My Charity Constitution?
Usually, you’d get your trustees to sign your governing document or your constitution. Then, you’d submit this document when you register your charity with the Charity Commission.
They’ll also ask for a few other details, such as the details of trustees and financial information.
Where Can I Get A Charity Constitution?
Having the right constitution drafted for your business is essential to ensuring a smooth business journey. So, it’s always a good idea to get quality legal help for your documents prior to registration.
Sprintlaw offers a Not-For-Profit Constitution package to help you hit the ground running. It includes:
- Drafting a constitution for your NFP organisation
- Phone consultations with a Sprintlaw lawyer who can answer your legal questions
- Ensuring that your constitution includes your objectives and confirm its NFP status
Next Steps
Are you currently in the process of registering or setting up a not-for-profit organisation? Sprintlaw has a team of lawyers who can guide you through the process, and draft a constitution that is both suited to your organisation and compliant with the Charity Commission’s requirements.
If you would like a consultation on your options going forward, you can reach us at 08081347754 or [email protected] for a free, no-obligations chat.
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