Governance and Organisation Development
Start-ups and Established Organisations
Community Action Suffolk provides support and guidance for the Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise sector in Suffolk. This includes start-ups and established charitable organisations. We want to ensure the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector is growing and thriving throughout Suffolk.
There are several things to think about when considering a start up for a charitable organisation and Community Action Suffolk can help you to progress with this opportunity.
Here are some questions for you to think about as you start to explore this opportunity;
What is the activity you want to start?
What benefit will it bring to your community?
How do you know this activity is needed?
Who else is interested in developing this activity with you?
Is there anyone else locally, or in Suffolk already doing this activity?
How will your activity be paid for and funded?
The answers to these questions, as well as further conversations will help inform the next steps and progress towards setting up a charitable organisation and how to do it.
If there is already a group or organisation delivering an activity similar to your idea, perhaps you can consider volunteering with them.
If you feel that your activity is needed and can provide a benefit to people and your local community then Community Action Suffolk will be able to provide guidance and support for setting up the charitable organisation.
Contacts
[email protected] – Start ups – 01473 345366
[email protected] – Established Organisations – 01473 345326
There are a few further things to consider as to what type of organisational structure may be best suited to your activity. These can include being a Charity, or whether to register as a limited company or a Community Interest Company or a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Getting Started Resource Leaflet
Community Action Suffolk provides training courses and resources to help you know which structure may be best and how to go about setting it up.
Training & Events List – Community Action Suffolk
Once you have identified the most suitable structure, there are many other things to consider for starting and running your activity and organisation.
These include appointing Directors and/or Trustees, depending on which structure you choose. In addition, you will need to create a plan for running the activity, whether this is a strategy or business plan or budget or a combination of all three, it is very important that you have a clear plan for the organisation.
Along with a plan for running the organisation you will also need to have policies and procedures in place to ensure that the activities operate safely and efficiently. Some of these policies should include Safeguarding, Risk Assessment, Strategy Planning, Insurance, General Data Protection Regulation, DBS Checks, Health and Safety and Fire Safety, amongst many others.
Community Action Suffolk provide a very useful resource to assist in developing or reviewing your plans, policies and procedures in the Community Action Suffolk Quality Framework (QF) – Community Action Suffolk
Contact [email protected] – 01473 345312
Furthermore, money, fund raising and financial sustainability will need to be considered, planned for, and managed. Many grant-making organisations will have criteria relating to how an organisation is structured and managed, as well as wanting to know that policies and procedures are in place and followed.
Community Action Suffolk provides training courses, resources, guidance and support for financial matters. This includes providing the Funding4Suffolk Home | Funding 4 Suffolk website which is a great resource for exploring funding ideas and income.
