Comprehensive Charity Governance & Support Services

Governance & Strategic Support

• Charity Governance Framework:
  • Assistance in developing robust governance structures, including trustee roles, risk management frameworks, and compliance with the Charity Commission’s guidelines.
  • Drafting and reviewing governing documents (e.g., constitutions, trust deeds).
  • Annual governance reviews to ensure alignment with best practices and regulatory updates.
• Policy Development:
  • Custom creation of essential policies, including safeguarding, anti-money laundering (AML), data protection, and volunteer/staff handbooks.
  • Grant application support, including drafting funding proposals and compliance with grantor requirements.
• Meeting & Administrative Support:
  • Attendance at trustee meetings to provide financial or governance guidance.
  • Preparation of meeting agendas, minutes, and action trackers.

Gift Aid Management

• Gift Aid Registration:
  • End-to-end support for registering your charity with HMRC to claim Gift Aid.
  • Drafting legally compliant donor declaration forms and guidance on eligible donations.
• Gift Aid Claims:
  • Submission of Gift Aid claims to HMRC, including reconciliation of donor records.
  • Advice on maximizing reclaims through the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS) for small cash donations (up to £8,000 annually without declarations).

Charity Registration & Setup

UK Charities:

• Full-service registration with the Charity Commission and Companies House (if applicable).
• Includes:
  • Preparation of the charity’s governing document and business plan.
  • Assistance with bank account setup, website creation, and JustGiving campaign registration.
  • Drafting safeguarding, AML, and terrorism financing risk assessments.
  • Support with DBS checks, due diligence for UK/overseas partners, and training for trustees/staff.

Overseas Charities:

• Guidance on establishing charitable operations in the UK, including compliance with cross-border regulations.
• Assistance with international due diligence, overseas branch registration, and INGO status applications.

Non-Registered Charities:

• Support for informal charitable groups, including governance advice, document preparation, and bank account setup.

Compliance & Due Diligence

• DBS Checks:
  • Processing Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for staff, trustees, and volunteers.
  • Integration with third-party platforms like Ucheck for streamlined verification.
• AML & Risk Assessments:
  • Anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, including risk assessments and due diligence for partnerships.
  • Training for trustees on recognizing and mitigating financial risks.

Operational & Financial Support

• Payroll & PAYE Management:
  • Setup and administration of payroll systems compliant with HMRC’s Real-Time Information (RTI) requirements.
  • Processing staff/trustee expenses, pensions (auto-enrolment), and year-end reporting (P60s, P11Ds).
• Bookkeeping & Financial Reporting:
  • Maintenance of accurate financial records for annual accounts and independent examinations.
  • Preparation of statements of financial activities (SOFA), balance sheets, and trustee annual reports.
• Independent Examinations:
  • Formal review of financial records for charities with income between £25,000 and £1 million.
  • Post-examination reports with actionable recommendations to strengthen financial controls.

Specialist Services

• Business Rates & Tax Relief:
  • Applications for statutory exemptions, discretionary relief, or small business rate relief.
  • Guidance on VAT exemptions and charity-specific tax reliefs.
• Overseas Project Support:
  • Field visits to international projects for monitoring and reporting.
  • Assistance with overseas police checks, safeguarding policies, and INGO registration.
• Promotional & Fundraising Assistance:
  • Designing promotional materials (e.g., videos, posters) and setting up crowdfunding campaigns.
  • Registration with platforms like JustGiving and optimizing donation workflows.
• Home Office & Visa Support:
  • Applications for sponsor licenses to employ overseas workers or host students.
  • Coordination of visas and travel arrangements for international field visits.

Ongoing Advisory & Crisis Management

• Regulatory Enquiries:
  • Support during HMRC, Charity Commission, or bank investigations, including document preparation and correspondence.
• Insurance & Risk Mitigation:
  • Guidance on securing appropriate liability insurance through regulated brokers.
• Charity Secretarial Services:
  • Ongoing compliance with filing requirements (e.g., annual returns, changes to trustee details).

Why Choose Us?

• Charity-Specific Expertise: Dedicated solely to charitable organizations, with in-depth knowledge of sector-specific regulations.
• End-to-End Support: From initial registration to complex international projects, we handle all aspects of compliance and governance.
• Mission-Driven Approach: We align our services with your charitable objectives, ensuring resources focus on impactful work.

📩 Contact us to discuss how we can empower your charity’s operations, compliance, and growth!

No obligation consultation | Transparent processes | Bespoke solutions