Depending upon your reason for wanting to set up a new charity and what you want to achieve, there may be other, and better, ways of achieving your aims that we would like you to think about.
The following particular situations are among those where setting up a new charity may not be the best way to proceed. In these situations care is most needed and advice should be sought before going ahead:
If your reasons for setting up a new charity are different to these, you should next consider whether there are existing charities with the same purposes and activities as yours.
I want to commemorate someone by setting up a charity in their name
Instead of setting up a new charity, think about creating a separate, named fund within an existing charity; this may be just as effective as creating a new charity.
You will be able to look for existing charities on the Register of Charities.
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I want to do something in response to a national or international disaster
Before setting up a new charitable appeal fund, we advise you to read the guidance produced by the Charity Commssion for England and Wales on Disaster Appeals. Instead of setting up a new charity, consider offering money or services to an existing charity, such as the Disasters Emergency Committee for example.
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I am applying for lottery money and need to set up a new registered charity
Organisations do not have to be registered charities to be accepted for a lottery grant. There are many different lottery grants distributors and each have their own grant eligibility requirements. For more information visit
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I want to set up a charity to assist a specific person suffering from a [rare] disease/disorder
In general, it is not charitable to set up a charity for the benefit of a specific named individual or individuals. To be charitable, you would therefore need to define the people who can benefit from your organisation much more widely.
Alternatively, you can set up a non-charitable trust fund to benefit the named individual(s) or join forces with an existing charity that is already set up to benefit sufferers of, and/or carrying out research into, the particular [rare] disease/disorder.
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I have been personally touched by a particular issue in my life and I want to help others in that situation
Instead of setting up a new charity, consider offering your services to, or merging or working collaboratively with, an existing charity.
You will be able to look for existing charities doing similar charitable work in your area on the Register of Charities.
Alternatively, instead of setting up a new charity, think about setting up a Managed Trust Account through an organisation such as the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Charities Aid Foundation(External link) (opens in new window). A CAF Trust Account is a simple system that is a bit like having your own charitable trust, except it operates as a subsidiary fund of CAF. You can put money into the Trust Account, call it what you like and specify what charitable purposes the money can be used for.
As CAF is a charity, the same charitable tax benefits apply to the Trust Account. It is like having your own independent trust, but the trustees of CAF take responsibility for carrying out your charitable wishes.
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I want to undertake something novel or pursue an existing charitable purpose in a different way
We want to encourage innovation. We therefore take a constructive and imaginative approach to our consideration of novel charitable purposes and new ways of achieving existing charitable aims.
Before setting up a new charity, think about whether what you wish to do will operate effectively within the constraints of charity law. If not, you may need to find an alternative to setting up a charity, such as setting up a non-charitable not-for-profit organisation (perhaps using the new Charitable Incorporated Company format).
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I want to make a difference in society by pursuing a political aim, such as seeking a change in the law in the UK or overseas
Charities can carry out political or campaigning activities to help achieve a charitable purpose, but a charity cannot have political aims. We advise anyone who is thinking about setting up a new charity to carry out work that is likely to be of a political nature to read our guidance on Campaigning and Political Activities.
You cannot set up a charity with a political purpose. If you wish to pursue a political aim you will need to find an alternative to setting up a charity, such as setting up a non-charitable campaigning body or pressure group.
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