Category Archives: Third Sector
Is it time to reorganise your charity’s constitution?
Have you considered whether your charity’s constitution enables the charity trustees to: make changes to keep it relevant or, whether it is so outdated that the charity can no longer be true to its original spirit. Charities with an outdated constitution may find that they are unable to make proper use of their charitable funds.
Helping Scottish Charitable Companies become SCIOs
From 1st January 2012, charities that are companies or industrial and provident societies (“IPS”) can apply to OSCR to convert to a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (“SCIO”). Previously it was only unincorporated associations or trusts who could take advantage of this change. However, the conversion of a company or IPS to a SCIO may only
What is Gift Aid and what are the Gift Aid Rules
We have recently been asked this question by a number of charitable clients, as a result we felt a blog might be helpful. Gift Aid is a simple way for your charity to increase the value of donations of money from taxpayers by claiming back from the Government the basic rate of tax paid by
What are the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a SCIO?
Since April 2011, existing unincorporated charities have been able to apply to change their legal form to the new legal entity of a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). Some of the “advantages” of becoming a SCIO are:- Liability of charity trustees is limited and members are not liable to contribute to
Does your Will include a Legacy to Charity?
Facts To Consider Around 80% of us support charities during our lifetime. 35% us want to leave the bulk of our estate to loved ones but like the idea of giving something back by way of donation on death to charities that we consider worthy of support. Surveys indicate less than 10% of the population
Procurement Process: Challenging the Final Decision
Under the procurement regulations, an organisation engaged in a procurement exercise should allow a “standstill period” of 10 days to elapse between notifying the tenderers of the successful party and awarding the contract. If an unsuccessful tenderer raises a legal challenge to the procurement process during the standstill period, the organisation cannot proceed to award
What is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO)?
A SCIO is a new legal body (with effect from April 2011) for charities registered in Scotland. They are not subject to the same reporting and regulatory requirements as a company. It can enter into transactions on its own behalf, rather than by its charity trustees on its behalf. The charity trustees are in general protected
