Legal Forms Decision Tool

This flowchart should help give you some idea of what kind of organisation you're looking to start up. Remember to read all of our other resources too to make an informed decision.

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Latest

Our *October 2021 Member Spotlight Organisation* is Power2!

Charlotte Schofield tells us all about Power2 and their fantastic work with the local voluntary and community sector - (Published 27 Sept 2021).
Aphasia Re-Connect's Autumn Party

Family friendly fun with quizzes, games, craft, and refreshments!
Care workers needed in Dulwich

Carewatch are now holding interviews and training for immediate start.
Improve your job prospects and learn new skills with free online courses!

London Square are offering free courses for people looking to learn new skills while they are home-based.

A Guide to Getting Started

Most groups are started in response to an identified need. The best way to get going is to bring together a small number of people who share your interest and talk about the problem you want to address and what you could do about it. Even if these people are not able to commit long-term they may be willing to contribute ideas and experience in the early stages.
Legal Forms of Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations Chart Diagram

There are numerous legal forms of VCS organisation to choose from. Check out this chart to see the names of each of them and whether they are incorporated or unincorporated.
Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs)

Clubs promoting a single sport are now eligible to be either a charity (or CIO) or a CASC. The CASC scheme distinguishes between clubs and business for rates and tax purposes. It is not a legal structure.
Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG)

Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLG) have been in existence since 1862 and are simply an alternative type of corporation, primarily used for not-for-profit organisations.
Social Enterprise- Community Interest Companies (CIC)

Community Interest Companies or CICs were born out of the realisation that Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLGs) had a structural problem when used for non-charitable organisations.
Setting up an Organisation - Initial Community Southwark Assessment

Community Southwark can help you set up an organisation as long as it has charitable aims and is based in Southwark. Before we provide support, however, we ask that all prospective organisations complete this initial assessment so we can better understand the scope of your organisation and to make sure that you've considered what it take to run it from scratch.
Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)

Charitable Incorporated Organisations or CIOs are a relatively new legal structure available for charities or charitable groups that wish to be incorporated. Learn more here.
Unincorporated Associations

This briefing provides an insight into what an unincorporated association is, and the pros and cons for this form.
Charities and Trusts

When starting up a ‘not for profit’ organisation there are a number of factors to take into account. A key consideration is what legal and organisational structure would be most appropriate. There are a number of different legal structures, all of which have different implications.