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If your club or community organisation is registered as a Scottish charity, there are important legal changes you need to be aware of and some action you may need to take right now.

After more than a decade of campaigning, the Community Right to Buy is now law - enshrined in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. For community sports clubs across England, this is a significant moment. But what does it actually mean in practice, and how can clubs make the most of it? What Is the Community Right to Buy? The Community Right to Buy replaces the old Community Right to Bid, which was introduced under the Localism Act 2011. Under the old sys

Membership subscriptions. Donations. Fundraising events. If your club is receiving money from UK taxpayers, Gift Aid could be significantly boosting what you keep — at no extra cost to your donors. Gift Aid is one of the most underused income streams available to community sports clubs. Yet the mechanics are straightforward: if a UK taxpayer makes a donation to your club, HMRC will top it up by 25p for every £1 donated — at no cost to the donor whatsoever. On a £1,000 donatio

sport scotland has launched the Club Support Programme (CSP), a £5 million investment from the Scottish Government that will fund paid roles within clubs across Scotland. With up to £30,000 per post per year available and applications opening on 1 May 2026, clubs need to move quickly. What is the Club Support Programme? The CSP will fund part-time or full-time posts within sports clubs, including coaches, administrators, club development officers, safeguarding officers, and c

From CLG to CASC, CIO to SCIO, CBS to CLS, the range of legal structures for sports clubs is broader than most club volunteers realise. This complete guide explains all eight options, what each one offers, and how to start finding the right fit for your club.

A company limited by shares is the structure behind most professional sports clubs in the UK. But for community and grassroots clubs, it closes off charitable tax benefits, CASC reliefs and most grant funding. Find out whether a CLS is genuinely right for your club.

A community benefit society gives sports clubs the ability to raise capital through community shares, operate democratically and embed genuine community ownership. But it comes with real complexity and cost. Find out whether a CBS is the right structure for your club.

A CIC gives sports clubs incorporated status, a community purpose and the flexibility to pay directors. But it comes with no tax advantages and additional reporting obligations. Find out whether a CIC is really the right structure for your club.

A SCIO gives Scottish sports clubs incorporated status and full charitable tax advantages under a single regulator. But it is not right for every club. Find out whether SCIO status is the right move for yours.

A CIO combines the legal protection of incorporation with the full tax advantages of charitable status — all under one regulator. But is it the right structure for your sports club? Here's what you need to know before deciding.

For growing amateur sports clubs, incorporating as a CLG with CASC status combines legal protection and valuable tax reliefs — but it's not right for every club. Find out if it's the right move for yours.

Could your sports club be saving thousands in tax? Discover how Community Amateur Sports Club registration with HMRC unlocks Gift Aid, business rate relief and Corporation Tax exemptions — but is it right for your club?

Is your sports club unincorporated? Discover how incorporating as a Company Limited by Guarantee protects your committee and unlocks funding opportunities.

Running a sports facility effectively means more than keeping the lights on. Learn how to manage operations, compliance, maintenance, and facility agreements to protect your club's future.

Research from the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation reveals a clear gap between how women perceive sports clubs and what clubs actually offer and the findings have real implications for any club looking to grow its female membership. The good news? Most of what women want costs nothing to change. 🚫 The Perception Problem Many women, particularly those who aren't already club members, see sports clubs as cliquey, male-dominated, and only for the seriously skilled. In fact,

If you're exploring ways to reduce your club's tax burden, access more funding, or simply put your finances on a more secure footing, you've probably come across two options: registering as a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) or establishing charitable status through a structure such as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) or Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). Explore the differences in this blog post.

Running a sports club well takes more than enthusiasm. It takes the right legal structure, good governance, access to funding, and the digital tools to operate effectively. For many volunteer-led clubs, putting all of that in place feels like an enormous task. Club Assist is designed to take that burden off your shoulders.

Community engagement isn't just a buzzword. It's the foundation of a sports club that lasts. Too often, clubs treat engagement as a one-off survey before a funding bid, a consultation exercise, or a social media post. But meaningful engagement is something deeper. It's about building relationships, earning trust, and creating genuine shared ownership of your club's direction. Done well, it transforms a club from being just a place where people play sport into a genuine commun

The Football Foundation has launched the Lionesses HERe to Play Fund, offering grants of up to £25,000 to help sports clubs create facilities that are safer, more inclusive, and more welcoming for women and girls.

The Google Ad Grants programme gives eligible nonprofits £7,500 in annual advertising credit. Here's what it means for your club — and how Club Development Solutions helps you claim it.