Set up a charity

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Name your charity

The official name of your charity is known as its ‘main name’. Your charity may also have a ‘working name’ which is another name it uses.

Comic Relief example

The main name for Comic Relief is Charity Projects. Comic Relief is the working name.

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children example

The main name for NSPCC is the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. NSPCC is the working name.

Not all charities have working names.

Your charity’s main name or working name must not:

  • be the same as or too similar to the main or working name of an existing charity
  • use words you do not have permission to use, for example a trade mark
  • use offensive words or acronyms
  • be misleading, for example suggest your charity does something it does not

Search the charities register to check the names of registered charities. Unregistered charities will not appear in the register. You should search the internet to see if other charities or organisations have similar main or working names.

You may have to change your charity’s main or working names or stop using them. This can happen if they are too similar to another charity’s name or they use words that are not allowed. This can delay your charity registration.

Words you need permission to use

You need evidence that you have permission to use:

  • the name of a famous or copyrighted work, such as a book or a piece of music
  • the name of a famous person or character
  • trade marks, such as Olympic or Paralympic
  • royal titles, such as King, Queen, Prince, or His or Her Majesty

Using ‘charity’ in a name

You can use the words ‘charity’, ‘charities’ or ‘charitable’ in your charity’s name but you need approval from the Charity Commission if you use them when you register a company name with Companies House.

Non-English names

You must include a translation of any non-English words in your charity’s name when you register.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Set up a charity: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if setting up a charity is right for you

    1. Check the alternatives to setting up a charity

  2. and Check you're eligible

    1. Check if your organisation can be a charity

  3. Step 2 Find trustees

    Trustees are responsible for the operation of your charity. They must show they understand their legal requirements.

    1. Check who's eligible to be a trustee and what skills they need to have
    2. Find and appoint trustees
    3. Read about your trustees' legal responsibilities

  4. Step 3 Find out how to choose a charity structure

    1. Choose the right charity structure

  5. and Choose a name for your charity

    There are rules on what words you can use in your name.

    1. You are currently viewing: Check what you can call your charity

    You cannot register a name that's the same as or similar to another charity.

    1. Check the names of registered charities

  6. and Decide and write your charity's purposes

    Your ‘purposes’ describe what your charity is set up to achieve.

    1. Find out how to write your charity's purposes

  7. Step 4 Create a governing document

    The governing document is a set of rules that explains how your charity is run. It needs to include your charity's structure, name and purposes.

    1. Find out how to write your governing document

  8. Step 5 Make sure you meet the 'public benefit requirement'

    Your organisation must be able to show that it benefits the public.

    1. Check how your organisation must benefit the public

  9. Step 6 Register your charity

    You must apply to register your charity with the Charity Commission if either:

    • its income will be at least £5,000 per year
    • it’s a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)
    1. Register with the Charity Commission

    You can register your charity’s details with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to get tax back on things like Gift Aid donations.

    1. Register with HMRC