Finding an Unused Charity

[Corin Hardcastle]

I have just returned from six months voluntary work in the Langtang National Park in Nepal where I was working with local schools to introduce computing, from scratch, and doing some IT training with both staff and students.

Six months was not long enough to do the task I set out to do, so I need to return fairly soon to continue the work.  One of the things I am seeking to do is to establish a charity to support this work, and through which I can channel the costs of the trip and also to receive any donations.  The first stage is to see if there is an existing charity which is not active but which would suit the purposes of my project â€" to that end â€" if anyone knows of any dormant charity could you let me know asap please.  This would greatly speed up achieving this aim.

Thanks

[John Nicholson]

Hi Corin,
Not heard from you for a while. I hope you are well.  Do you have pictures from Nepal?

 It is not difficult to set up a charity. A Not-for-profit company is also a very useful format to work through, and also Community Interest Company. I am sure Ian could help you with this.

[Ian A]

Nice thought John, however, I avoid charities like the plague because of the "red tape" with the auditing  :sick:

[Anthony Britner]

Set up as a not for profit company to begin because you can always register that company as a charity at a later date. That is how many get started I believe.

[John Nicholson]

I am surprised by your comment Ian - as I have run many charities and Not-for-profit companies, as a way of working that avoids tax and red tape.  I also prefer Not-for-profit and CIC format to charities and trusts - except for restoring historic buildings.

[Robin Jones]

[quote="JohnNicholson" post=18776]I have run many charities and Not-for-profit companies, as a way of working that avoids tax and red tape.[/quote]

That's an excellent idea, where do I sign?  Surely that is tax evasion?  

I'm not an accountant but my understanding is when you form a NPO you have to state your goals in the Memorandum of Association.  Then any trading surplus has to be used to achieve those goals.  :S

[John Nicholson]

Yes, but when I formed Bio-power UK Ltd. as a not-for-profit company Tony Blair had not invented CICs. I have since formed many new CICs for people who set up making bio-fuels.  There are many advantages. These companies can operate just like any other company, and make a profit and pay wages and salaries, but they don't have shares and don't pay dividends to shareholders.  They also cannot be taken over or bought out.  I don't know if you can form a company to sell sweets as a CIC but you could form a CIC to explore the ancient art of sweet making, and preserve recipiees for historic confections.  the members of the company would subscribe to promote the aim and they would benefit from preferential prices for examples of sweets.  I bet Ian is now about to explode.

Incidentally,  Bella and I had another good sail on Padarn Lake this afternoon and then met two London Police detectives at the Heights Hotel who want to come with us up Crib Goch and to complete the Horseshoe tomorrow.  It should be interesting!

[Danny Sutton]

If you've done loads John, Maybe you could help Corin?

i wouldn't have a clue where to start, not for profit doesn't really sound like my kind of thing.

[Robin Jones]

I can see why NPOs work in some circumstances but it certainly wouldn't work for me.  I like the freedom to be able to sell a business on when I can see that market begining to decline (in fact, I've just sold one of mine) How would it work if say I wanted to liquidize £20k of stock into cash?  As I read it (and I could be wrong) but I couldn't walk away with the cash.  It would have to go to the cause as stated in the Memorandum of Association.

[Corin Hardcastle]

Thank you useful ideas.

The Charity Commission website is full of useful information. As I am looking at a small charity the paperwork does look fairly easy and trustees are easy. Friends!

The audit process is straightforward with such a small income.

It would be simpler for me/us to tweek an existing charity than start from scratch. So I am just asking.

John - I have over 2000 photos and 90 minutes of video. I am working on a presentation, an ebook and I have some of the best photos printed and framed; to sell.

I am still working on the marketing - suggestions are welcome  :silly:  :cheer:

Thanks for the interest. Added a photo to give you an idea  

[John Nicholson]

Thanks for joining in this debate that you started Corin!
The picture is fantastic.  

I have just got home after a day in the Mountains.  We set off early to meet two detective policemen who we met yesterday staying at the Celtic Royal, got to Pen-y-pass just in time to get the last parking place. Crib Goch was extremely hard going because of the hot sun, but totally calm on the ridge.  Sometime the rocks were so hot is seemed they would burn our hands.  We had a welcome bathe in then lake at the foot of Snowdon's curtain, then the long treck back to the car park along the Miner's track.

Your picture rather puts our feat into a different perspective!

I think there are a lot of things to discuss, with you Corin and also with others interested in alternative ways of working with corporations.  It is VERY rare for me to find myself in disagreement with Ian, but it seems that on this matter we do hold differing views.

I do not yet fully understand the detail of what you require Corin, and may be the best way would be to meet over a beer at a place between Bangor and wherever you are.

I hope I can have a chat with Mr Sweetie soon because I have not seen him for ages and am seriously missing Sarsporellas.  I will call at the shop when I am next collecting in Rhos-on-Sea.

[Ian A]

It is unlikely we disagree John, I only said that I avoid them as an Accountant (because of the auditng side) not because they were not useful  :dry:

Ian

[John Nicholson]

Thank goodness I have such an excellent and patient accountant then!

[Corin Hardcastle]

OK John

Next time I'm in N Wales I will contact you and if you are free we could meet up and have a chat about charities.

Thanks

[John Nicholson]

That would be great. May be we can combine with a little trip underground and a lot of beer afterwards?
Bella and I will at WOMAD in two weeks 25th to 30th July.