Charity eligibility checklist

This guided checklist walks clubs through key criteria set by charity regulators (such as OSCR or the Charity Commission), including:

• Whether the club’s purposes meet the definition of charitable purposes

• How the club delivers public benefit

• How income is used and managed

• Governance and accountability considerations

• Potential conflicts with trading or profit-making activities

It helps clubs identify if they are aligned with legal requirements for charitable status and highlights any areas needing attention or change.

Charity Calculator

Our charity calculator estimates potential financial benefits of becoming a charity, such as:

• Eligible Gift Aid returns based on current donation levels

• Savings through access to nonprofit software and services

• Eligibility for charity-specific grants and tax relief

Club Development Academy

Club Assist unlocks full access to the complete Club Development Academy, giving your club the tools and knowledge to grow with confidence. This includes all educational modules covering the five core pillars of successful club development: People, Finances, Foundations, Community, and Facilities.

Support with charitable incorporation

Support with incorporation includes guidance and practical assistance to help clubs choose and establish the most appropriate legal structure for their circumstances. This may include incorporation as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), or Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), as well as support with Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) registration where appropriate. The process focuses on ensuring the club’s structure aligns with its activities, governance needs, and eligibility for charitable and funding benefits.

HMRC registration for Gift Aid

Support is provided to register the club with HMRC for Gift Aid, enabling eligible donations to be increased by claiming back tax on individual contributions. This includes completing the required registration process and ensuring the club meets the basic eligibility and record-keeping requirements needed to make Gift Aid claims.

Monthly Newsletter

Each month, our newsletter delivers a round-up of new funding opportunities, governance updates, and important sector news, helping your club stay ahead of deadlines and policy changes. You'll also find real-world case studies showcasing what’s working in other community clubs, alongside tips, insights, and reflections. We regularly highlight newly released templates, toolkits, and learning modules from the Club Development Academy to ensure you're making the most of all available resources.

Setup and management of Google for Nonprofits

This service covers the setup and ongoing management of Google for Nonprofits, allowing clubs to access free and discounted digital tools available to charitable organisations. Support focuses on ensuring accounts are correctly configured and used in line with Google’s requirements.

Google Ad Grants setup

Google Ad Grants setup includes applying for the Ad Grants programme and configuring an initial advertising account. This allows eligible clubs to access up to $10,000 per month in in-kind advertising to promote activities, fundraising, and community programmes through Google search.

Trustee training session covering compliance and trustee duties

This training session provides trustees with an overview of their legal duties and responsibilities, including governance, compliance, and accountability requirements. The session is designed to support trustees to understand their role, manage risk, and meet expectations set by charity regulators.

JustGiving and ActionFunder setup

Support is provided to set up and configure accounts with JustGiving and ActionFunder, enabling clubs to access both online fundraising and grant funding opportunities. This includes creating organisational profiles, ensuring accounts are correctly linked to the club, and confirming that funds can be received securely. Together, these platforms support individual donations, fundraising campaigns, and visibility to funders distributing grants aligned with sport, community, and local authority priorities.

Registration with Goodstack

Registration with Goodstack involves setting up the club on the Goodstack platform, providing access to a wide range of free and discounted software, digital tools, and expert services available to eligible charitable and nonprofit organisations. This enables clubs to reduce operating costs and access tools for administration, fundraising, communications, governance, and digital delivery, without committing to ongoing subscriptions or additional management requirements.