The provided source material consists of information regarding free charity governing document templates and samples available online. These documents are designed to assist in the establishment and management of charitable organisations. The material includes descriptions of template features, guidance on creating a constitution, and important disclaimers regarding their use. The following article synthesises this information, focusing on the availability, purpose, and critical considerations for UK-based entities seeking such resources.
Free charity governing documents, often referred to as constitutions, articles of association, or trust deeds, serve as foundational frameworks for the governance of a charity. They outline the organisation's purpose, structure, and operational rules. The source data highlights the availability of such templates from online platforms, which can be customised to suit specific charitable needs. These templates typically include sections for the organisation's name, duration, purpose, and governance structure, such as the board of directors. For instance, one template specifies that the organisation's name is "[Your Company Name]" and that its duration is perpetual, operating exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes as outlined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, which is a US tax code provision. The template also states that the organisation shall operate as a nonprofit corporation with no capital stock issued and that no part of the net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
The importance of a charity constitution is emphasised in the source material, which describes it as one of the most important documents a charity must maintain. It establishes the framework for governance and must be followed by everyone involved, including trustees, honorary members, officers, paid staff, and volunteers. The constitution aids in strategic planning and operations management. Other policies commonly followed by charities include volunteer management, reserves, privacy, recruitment, and marketing policies. The source material notes that governing documents have different names depending on the legal structure of the charity, such as constitutions, rules, trust deeds, memorandums and articles of association, and association or foundation model constitutions. The terminology used depends on the nature of the charity.
The process of creating a charity constitution is outlined in the source data. The first step is to include the name of the organisation, with a recommendation to check the local sector to ensure no other organisation operates under the same name. A standard constitution should contain information about the charitable purpose, a statement that the charity operates on a not-for-profit basis, and clauses detailing the rights and duties of its members. It is crucial that the constitution is established based on the organisation’s purpose and is compliant with relevant legislation and regulations. The source material mentions that several organisations, such as Public Counsel, make available excellent corporate governance models, and it is possible to find fiscal sponsorship and other documents through internet searches. However, it can be difficult to find examples of other documents, especially those relating to charitable programmes and activities specific to nonprofits.
The source data includes specific examples of free charity constitution samples and templates available in PDF and MS Word formats. These include a Charity Constitution Template, Circus Project Charity Constitution, Foundation Charity Constitution, Official Charity Constitution Template, Charitable Constitution Template, Sample Registered Charity Constitution, Basic Charity Constitution Template, and Small Charity Constitution Sample. These templates are described as editable and customisable, allowing users to tailor the document to meet their charity’s specific needs, ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective leadership. One template is noted as fully editable in an AI Editor Tool, allowing for the replacement of photos, graphics, text, and backgrounds, as well as resizing and cropping.
The source material also provides information on how to amend a governing document. For example, the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws can be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors at any regular meeting, provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been given in advance. Certification of the adoption of these documents is required, typically involving a signature from an authorised individual, such as the undersigned, who certifies that the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws were adopted by the Board of Directors on a specified date.
A critical aspect highlighted in the source data is the legal and practical limitations of using these free templates. The source material explicitly states that the documents are not intended to provide legal or tax advice, self-help guidance, or substantive legal information. The documents were created for use by California nonprofits and do not guarantee that they reflect current law or are complete, nor are they necessarily appropriate for use in any specific situation. Users are strongly encouraged to consult with legal counsel before using any of the materials, as review and use of these models do not create an attorney-client relationship. Furthermore, the providers of these materials do not have the capacity to field feedback or questions about the documents and will not be providing Word versions of any documents. These materials are intended as samples and sources of ideas for lawyers, not ready-to-use forms.
For UK-based charities, it is essential to note that the provided templates and references often cite US legal frameworks, such as the Internal Revenue Code. While the structural concepts may be transferable, compliance with UK charity law and regulations is paramount. UK charities must register with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (or the relevant body in Scotland or Northern Ireland) and adhere to specific governance standards. The Charity Commission provides its own model governing documents for different legal structures, which are tailored to UK law. Therefore, while free online templates can serve as a useful starting point for understanding the components of a governing document, they should not be used as a direct substitute for legally vetted documents compliant with UK jurisdiction.
In summary, free charity governing document templates and samples are widely available online from various platforms. These resources offer customisable frameworks that outline a charity's purpose, governance structure, and operational rules. They are designed to assist in establishing transparency and accountability. However, the source material strongly cautions against using these templates without professional legal advice, emphasising that they are not guaranteed to be current, complete, or appropriate for any specific situation. For UK charities, it is imperative to ensure that any governing document is compliant with UK charity law, and consulting with a legal professional or using official model documents from the Charity Commission is highly recommended.