Setting up a charity

Our step by step guide

Check if setting up a charity is right for you

Decide if you should set up a charity or an alternative

Create a governing document

This is a set of rules that explains how your charity is run

Opening a charity bank account

Choosing a bank and opening an account

Choose your charity structure

Decide whether to set up a CIC, a charitable company or an unincorporated association or trust

Find your Trustees

Your trustees are responsible for the running and operation of your charity

Register your charity

To access the online application form you must first register with the Charity Commission

Check if setting up a charity is right for you

Everything you need to know and think about when setting up a charity. Check out these resources:

GOV.UK

NCVO

Charity Set Up

Resource Centre

Choose your charity structure

Decide whether to set up a CIC, a charitable company or an unincorporated association or trust. Check out these resources:

GOV.UK

NCVO

Charity Set Up

Resource Centre

Create a governing document

This is a set of rules that explains how your charity is run. Check out these resources:

GOV.UK

NCVO

Charity Set Up

Find your Trustees

Your trustees are responsible for the running and operation of your charity. Check out these resources:

GOV.UK

NCVO

Charity Set Up

Open a charity bank account

Choosing a bank and opening an account. Check out these resources:

Charity Set Up

Resource Centre

Register your charity

To access the online application form you must first register with the Charity Commission. Check out these resources:

GOV.UK

Charity Set Up

Funding

Where to find information on funders/funds?

The Community Foundation Tyne & Wear & Northumberland


The Community Foundation award grants to support causes in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, and across North East England, from nearly 300 different funds set up by our donors.

The Stable Company


A collection of grants and sources of funding for charities and nonprofit organisations that promote social enterprise across the UK as well as financial options and resources to help voluntary organisations establish sustainable income strategies.

Northumberland County Council 


The following is a list of those charitable trusts and foundations that have active funding programmes or have been active in the North East

Arts Council England


Arts Council England invest in art and culture for a lasting return. They’re looking for organisations, artists, events, initiatives and others to apply for funding and to help  achieve their strategy, Let’s Create.