Question 1

What is a charity constitution?

Accepted Answer

A charity constitution (governing document) is a legal document that sets out its charitable purposes (‘objects’), powers, who runs it and who can be a member, meetings and appointments, rules on remuneration, investments and holding land, power to change the governing document and how to close the charity.

Question 2

How do we change a charity constitution?

Accepted Answer

The Charities and Companies Acts allow certain amendments to be made to constitutions (governing documents) and many charities also have specific powers of amendment in their governing documents, but there will almost certainly be conditions that must be met when using it.

Question 3

What are charity model documents?

Accepted Answer

When registering a new charity, regulators usually expect their standard constitution template to be used, often referred to as a model governing document.  Long established charities may have constitutions that are different to current model documents.

Question 4

How do I get a copy of a charity's governing document?

Accepted Answer

Charitable company governing documents can be downloaded from the Companies House website, the relevant register of charities will include a charity's object(s), type of governing document and formation date but not the whole document. You would usually need to request that from the charity.

Question 5

How do I download a charity constitution in Word?

Accepted Answer

You can download the various charity model constitutions in Word from the website of the relevant charity regulator.  You can use the guidance and links in our free online guides to decide which might suit you best and download it.

Question 6

Where can I find a charity constitution?

Accepted Answer

You can find and download the various charity model constitutions in Word from the website of the relevant charity regulator.  You can use the guidance and links in our free online guides to decide which might suit you best and download it.

Question 7

Where can I get a charity constitution?

Accepted Answer

You find and download the various charity model constitutions in Word from the website of the relevant charity regulator.  You can use the guidance and links in our free online guides to decide which might suit you best and download it.

Question 8

How do I download a charity constitution?

Accepted Answer

You can find and download the various charity model constitutions in Word from the website of the relevant charity regulator.  You can use the guidance and links in our free online guides to decide which might suit you best and download it.

Question 9

Where can I get a charity governing document?

Accepted Answer

You get the various charity model governing documents (constitutions) in Word from the website of the relevant charity regulator.  You can use the guidance and links in our free online guides to decide which might suit you best and download it.

Question 10

How do I download a charity model governing document?

Accepted Answer

You can find and download the various charity model governing documents (constitutions) in Word from the website of the relevant charity regulator.  You can use the guidance and links in our free online guides to decide which might suit you best and download it.

Question 11

How do I download a charity CIO constitution?

Accepted Answer

You can find and download the 2 charity CIO model constitutions in Word from the website of the relevant charity regulator.  You can use the guidance and links in our free online guides to decide which might suit you best and download it.

Question 12

Where can I find a charity constitution?

Accepted Answer

You can find and download the various charity model constitutions in Word from the website of the relevant charity regulator.  You can use the guidance and links in our free online guides to decide which might suit you best and download it.

Question 13

How do I download a community interest company constitution?

Accepted Answer

You can find and download the various CIC model articles of association in Word from the website of the CIC Regulator.  You can use the guidance and links in our free online guides to decide which might suit you best and download it.

Question 14

When should we update our constitution?

Accepted Answer

You should update your charity consitution (governing document), if you wish to carry out activities that would fall outside your object(s) or it was preventing you from acting in the best interests of your charity. You might also consider doing so, if it required you to carry out administrative activities that you don't need, which are not otherwise required by law or regulations, such as holding an AGM or appointing a secretary or treasurer.

Question 15

Do we need to update our consitution?

Accepted Answer

You would wish to update your charity consitution (governing document), if you wished to carry out activities that would fall outside your object(s) or it was preventing you from acting in the best interests of your charity. You might also consider doing so, if it required you to carry out administrative activities that you don't need, which are not otherwise required by law or regulations, such as holding an AGM or appointing a secretary or treasurer.

Question 16

What is a Charity Commission small charity constitution?

Accepted Answer

The Charity Commission E&W small charity constitution is a template for unincorporated associations, clubs and societies that you can download from their website.  You can use the guidance and links in our free online guides to decide if it might suit you best and download it.

Question 17

How do I download a Charity Commission small charity constitution?

Accepted Answer

You can find and download the Charity Commission small charity constitution their website.  You can use the guidance and links in our free online guides to decide if this might suit you best and download it.

Question 18

Where can I get a Charity Commission small charity constitution?

Accepted Answer

You can get the Charity Commission small charity constitution from their website.  You can use the guidance and links in our free online guides to decide if this might suit you best and download it.

Question 19

What is a charity governing document?

Accepted Answer

A charity governing document (constitution) is a legal document that sets out its charitable purposes (‘objects’), powers, who runs it and who can be a member, meetings and appointments, rules on remuneration, investments and holding land, power to change the governing document and how to close the charity.

Question 20

How do I find a Charity Commission small charity constitution?

Accepted Answer

You can find and download the Charity Commission small charity constitution their website.  You can use the guidance and links in our free online guides to decide if this might suit you best and download it.

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