A one-stop shop for all your legal advice

Our Charities team provides a one-stop shop for charities, non-profit organisations and philanthropists. We advise on charity law and all the areas on which charities need advice – from advertising to tax and everything in between. 

Our lawyers understand the issues that not-for-profit organisations face. Whether you're a private family grant-making charity or a large global name, we will tailor our advice to your objectives and make sure you comply with the ever-expanding set of rules and regulations.

How we can help

Setting up your charity

Our lawyers have helped individuals and groups launch numerous charities from simple grant-making trusts to active charities. We can guide you through all the legal considerations of setting up and registering your charity.

Fundraising, finances and tax

We provide specialist fundraising and tax advice for charities. Our lawyers can help you with everything you need to comply with the ever-expanding set of rules and regulations. This includes the taxation of donations, VAT, making investments, and drafting grant and gift aid documentation.

Corporate structure and governance

Well-established charities may be incorporating, merging or entering joint ventures to provide their services in a new way. Our specialist corporate lawyers can provide all the transactional support you need and help you stay on top of day-to-day governance issues

International expansion

We advise philanthropists and non-profit organisations from all over the world who are looking to base their organisation in a stable, well-regulated environment or expand their activities into another jurisdiction.

Full legal support

As well as specialist charity law advice, we provide all the legal services your organisation might need. Working with lawyers across Osborne Clarke, we can help you buy or rent offices, comply with data protection regulations, navigate employment and pensions law, implement technology solutions, protect your brand, and more.

Our charity law specialists 

Our lawyers have extensive experience in helping organisations and individuals set up and run charities, both domestically and in multiple jurisdictions. Our clients include family foundations, corporate charities and household names. The causes they support include education, social mobility, human rights and the preservation of historical buildings.
 

Experience

Family foundation

Founding and funding a new charitable incorporated organisation as a grant-making foundation.

Joint venture

Forming and registering a new English charity as a joint venture between two of the largest UK charities to preserve and redevelop a historical building.

UK fundraising

Advising an Australian university in relation to its English subsidiary established to collect donations from its UK-based alumni.

Governance and merger

Advising the board of a large education charity in relation to a move to a unified board, the continued remuneration of the CEO and a proposed merger.

Grants and data

Supporting a large social mobility charity with the establishment of matched funding arrangements, negotiating grant agreements and GDPR issues.

Restructuring

Advising a national religious charity with substantial pension deficits on its restructuring options, both internally and in relation to a subsidiary.

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