Further help and advice

Share your experiences with others

Share your knowledge and insight of starting up an organisation with others on KnowHow NonProfit's setting up a charity wiki.  You can edit existing content, add new information or create your own new guides of case studies, how-to or FAQs.

Organisations providing relevant support and information

Useful Publications

General:

Charity Commission:

Companies and enterprises:

Co-operative organisations:

Training videos

Anywhere, anytime learning.
KnowHow NonProfit's Study Zone provide low cost online training for the voluntary sector using web video technology.

Setting up a charity
Thinking of setting up a charity? Wondering where to start or if it is even the right option for you? This course will help you go through the decision-making process, giving you unique insight into the early stages of setting up a non profit from the point of view of a charity founder. It’s packed with useful tips and personal stories that will inspire you on your own journey.

Setting up a social enterprise

Whether you want your charity to start trading or you're about to set up a business with a social impact, make a successful start with this online course. Learn how to clarify your social purpose and the types of products or services you’re looking to sell and find out how to make a long term difference by ensuring the sustainability of your business model.

See also

Trustee training pack - online tools for trustees, chairs and CEOs
The board appraisal tool kit: self assessment for chairs and trustees
Make your board effective - the role of chairs, trustees and CEOs
The essentials of charity finance

Other useful information

Legal advice

Find a solicitor

Find a solicitor locally or in a specific area of expertise using the law society find a solicitor function

www.lawsociety.org.uk

Bates Wells and Braithwaite (BWB)

BWB is a commercial law firm servicing a wide range of commercial, statutory, charity and social enterprises (and their owners and managers).

http://www.bateswells.co.uk

LawWorks

LawWorks is a charity which aims to provide free legal help to individuals and community groups who cannot afford to pay for it and who are unable to access legal aid.

http://www.lawworks.org.uk

Funding information

Funding Central

Funding Central is a free smart website for all third sector organisations, providing access to thousands of funding and finance opportunities, plus a wealth of tools and resources supporting organisations to develop sustainable income strategies appropriate to their needs.

http://www.fundingcentral.org.uk

Information on Co-operative models

Community shares

Information on community investment and community owned enterprise

http://www.communityshares.org.uk/

Co-operatives UK

Strive to build a stronger, more successful co-operative movement for all.

http://www.cooperatives-uk.coop

International Co-operative alliance

ICA is an independent, non-governmental association which unites, represents and serves co-operatives worldwide

http://www.ica.coop

Information for Charities

Charity Commission

The Charity Commission for England and Wales is established as the regulator and registrar of charities in England and Wales.  Its website has a range of publications and guidance on all matters relating to charities.

http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk

Information for companies and enterprises:

Business Link

Businesslink.gov.uk helps you save time and money by giving you instant access to clear, simple, and trustworthy information. Whether you're starting up, already running a business, or looking to grow and develop, they are there to help you.

To find your regional Business Link, please call the Business Link Helpline on

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk

The CIC Forum

The CIC forum is intended to provide a platform to discuss some of the issues faced by CICs, to increase collaboration and to share best practice.

http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/pages/cic-forum.html

The CIC Regulator

The Regulator is an independent official for Community Interest Company.

http://www.cicregulator.gov.uk/

Companies House

The companies House website includes useful guidance for companies, directors and company secretaries

http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk

Financial Services Authority

The Regulator for Industrial and Provident Societies

http://www.fsa.gov.uk

Guardian Social Enterprise Network

Insight, advice and best practice from the community

https://socialenterprise.guardian.co.uk/

Social Enterprise Ambassadors

The Social Enterprise Ambassadors are leaders of some of the country's most successful social enterprises. Learn more about these exceptional people, their businesses, and how you can get involved

http://socialenterpriseambassadors.org.uk

The Social Enterprise Coalition

The Social Enterprise Coalition is the UK's national body for social enterprise

http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk

Social Enterprise magazine

Social Enterprise aims to be the most engaging, informative and useful resource for business people who are passionate about changing lives, building communities and nurturing the environment.

http://www.socialenterpriselive.com

Social Enterprise Training and Support Consortium

Information resource to help you find the most appropriate social enterprise training, support or relevant publication

http://www.setas.co.uk


Umbrella bodies and general advice

NCVO

NCVO is the umbrella body for the voluntary sector in England.  NCVO provides voice and support to voluntary and community organisations and its website includes wide-ranging guidance on a variety of subjects including collaborative working, ICT, strategy and impact, policy, campaigning, workforce, sustainable funding, governance and leadership, third sector foresight, and research

http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk

For information on collaborative working and partnerships:
NCVO Collaborative Working Resources

For more information on funding and finance:
NCVO Funding and Finance Resources

For more information on governance, leadership and trusteeship.
NCVO Governance and Leadership Resources

For information on strategy and impact:
NCVO Strategy and Impact Resources

For information on people, HR and employment:
NCVO Workforce Resources

Acevo

ACEVO is the professional association for third sector Chief Executives.

http://www.acevo.org.uk

CFG

A membership organisation helping charities to manage their accounting, taxation, audit and other finance related functions.

http://cfg.org.uk/

Community Matters

Community Matters is the National Federation for Community Organisations.

http://www.communitymatters.org.uk

Community Sector Coalition

The Community Sector Coalition is an umbrella network that supports the work of national voluntary organisations and the community sector. This sector is made up of small informal networks and community groups that improve quality of collective life and tackle social exclusion.

http://www.communitysectorcoalition.org.uk

NAVCA

NAVCA is the national voice of local third sector infrastructure in England. We aim to ensure communities are well served by the local third sector by supporting our members and their work with over 160,000 local groups and organisations.

http://www.navca.org.uk

Local Council for Voluntary Service

Local and regional umbrella organisations that support the voluntary and community sector.
Find your local group at http://www.navca.org.uk/liodir/

Office for Civil Society

As part of the Cabinet Office, the Office for Civil Society leads work across government to support the environment for a thriving civil society (voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, charities, cooperatives and mutuals), enabling the sector to campaign for change, deliver public services, promote social enterprise and strengthen communities.

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/voluntary-sector.aspx

Skills Third Sector

Skills – Third Sector makes it easier for people in charities and social enterprises to have the right skills to make a difference to people and their communities.

http://www.skills-thirdsector.org.uk/

Trusteebank

Trustee Bank offers a free service from NCVO to advertise or view trustee vacancies. It also provides information about becoming a trustee and on recruiting trustees to your board.

http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/trusteebank

Volunteer Centres

Find your local volunteer centre for support and information on setting up a group through Volunteering England's Volunteer Centre Finder

http://www.volunteering.org.uk/iwanttovolunteer/where-do-i-start

Information on tax

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk

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