Convert a Community Interest Company to a CIO
If you are a Community Interest Company (CIC) you can apply to convert directly to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
Step 1: Prepare a conversion resolution
The directors of the CIC will need to produce a conversion resolution which confirms that the members of the CIC wish to convert the CIC into a CIO under the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (Conversion) Regulations.
Step 2: Adopt Charity Commission model CIO constitution
Adopt and complete one of our model CIO constitutions.
Replace ‘CIC’ with ‘CIO’ in the name.
Section 8 of the model CIO constitution covers if members would be liable to contribute to the assets of the CIO if it is wound up.
If the amount each member would be liable for is more than £10, you must select option 2 to confirm:
- the CIO’s members will be liable to contribute to its assets if it is wound up
- the amount up to which they will be liable for
The amount you enter in section 2(i) must not be less than the amount up to which the CIC’s members were liable to contribute to the assets of the CIC if it were wound up.
If the amount each member of the CIC is liable to contribute to its assets if it winds up is £10 or less, you can select option 1.
Step 3: Prepare a resolution adopting the CIO constitution
Prepare a resolution adopting the proposed constitution of the CIO. The resolution must confirm that the members of the CIC have adopted the proposed constitution of the CIO.
Step 4: Apply for charitable status
Before submitting an application, read:
To apply for charitable status as a CIO, you will need to apply to register as a charity and also submit:
- the resolution of conversion of the CIC to a CIO
- the proposed constitution of the CIO
- the resolution of the CIC adopting the proposed constitution of the CIO
- a completed Trustee Declaration Form
If a CIC is a private registered provider of social housing, you must include a statement confirming that you have notified the Regulator of Social Housing of the change.
In the ‘Special Circumstances’ section of your application, write that you are a CIC wishing to apply for charitable status as a CIO. Tell us the name of the CIC.
After you have applied
We will check that you can register as a charity.
If you can we will give Companies House what they need to confirm to the Regulator of Community Interest Companies that you wish to convert your CIC to a CIO.
Once approved, Companies House will cancel the registration of the CIC and we will then register the CIO as a charity and let the trustees know.