Charitable Incorporated Organisation (& SCIO)

About

A charity, incorporated as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) or Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), combines the benefits of limited liability with the legal and financial advantages of charitable status. Charities are regulated by OSCR (Scotland) or the Charity Commission (England & Wales) and must operate for exclusively charitable purposes.

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Characteristics

Tax advantages – eligibility for charitable tax reliefs.
Gift Aid – claim 25% extra on every donation.
Fundraising access – unlocks grants available only to charities.
Asset lock – guarantees assets are used for charitable purposes.
Regulatory oversight – strong governance through charity regulators.

Who Is It For?

This model is most commonly adopted by grassroots and community clubs that want to access charitable funding, benefit from tax reliefs, and formalise their social impact. SCIOs and CIOs are the go-to model for clubs committed to delivering community benefit at scale.

Why Choose Us?

Affordable

Clear pricing from £1000 with no hidden costs.

Trusted

Regulator-approved constitutions for smoother applications.

Experienced

Over 100 sports clubs supported into charitable status.

Supportive

Expert guidance through OSCR/Charity Commission plus ongoing trustee training.

What We Provide

We provide end-to-end guidance to support your club in becoming a registered charity, either as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) or a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

From drafting your constitution to liaising with the regulator and training trustees, we ensure the process is straightforward and manageable.

By the end, your club will benefit from the protections of limited liability, charitable tax advantages, and the credibility of charitable status, enabling you to unlock new opportunities for growth and funding.

Initial Consultation

We begin by helping your committee decide whether a SCIO (in Scotland) or a CIO (in England & Wales) is best for your club. We’ll explain the advantages and limitations of charitable status, what it means for trustees, and the potential fundraising benefits.

Drafting Constitution

We prepare a tailored constitution for your club, drawing on templates that are pre-approved by OSCR or the Charity Commission. These documents cover governance, charitable purposes, and how the club will operate, ensuring your application has the best chance of success.

Regulator application

We take the stress out of the process by liaising directly with OSCR (Scotland) or the Charity Commission (England & Wales). We prepare and submit all documentation, respond to regulator queries, and keep your committee updated until approval is secured.

Trustee Training

Operating as a charity brings specific responsibilities for trustees. We deliver a workshop or webinar to explain your statutory duties, annual reporting requirements, and governance best practice, giving your committee confidence in their new roles.

Asset transfer support

We guide you through the transfer of assets, contracts, and obligations into the new charitable entity. This ensures your club continues to operate smoothly, while locking assets into a structure that guarantees they will always be used for charitable purposes.

Gift Aid Registration (if eligible)

One of the biggest benefits of charitable status is access to Gift Aid. We’ll help you register with HMRC, allowing your club to claim 25% extra on eligible donations and significantly increase the value of community support.