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Setting up a non-profit or community group

Starting up a new community group is an exciting undertaking and not one to be taken lightly. There are many reasons why people wish to start up their own organisation: to fulfil a need in the community that is not being met; to develop a project that has started informally or to develop a new venture or business idea in the charitable sector.

Setting up a new community group is an exciting undertaking and not one to be taken lightly.

There are many reasons why people wish to start up their own organisation: to fulfil a need in the community that is not being met; to develop a project that has started informally or to develop a new venture or business idea in the charitable sector.


Check out our resources below to answer any initial questions you may have. If you have any further questions, or would like support with starting up and organisation, please contact: info@communitysouthwark.org

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Unincorporated Associations

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

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.

Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO)

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.

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