When you register your organisation on ActionFunder, you’ll need to select two things:
- Your organisation type – a broad description of what kind of non-profit you are.
- Your legal structure – the formal way your organisation is set up and recognised in law.
Getting this right ensures that funders understand who you are, and that the correct due diligence checks can be carried out before funding is awarded.
Step 1: Choose your organisation type
Start with the option that best describes your organisation:
1. Community Group or Other Informal Group
- You’re a small or local group set up to support your community.
- You might not be formally registered with the Charity Commission or Companies House.
- You may use a fiscal host (another organisation) to manage funding on your behalf. (However, to be eligible for funding through ActionFunder, your organisation will need its own bank account, as we are only able to make payments directly to the applicant organisation.)
2. Registered Charity
- You’re recognised by the Charity Commission for England and Wales, OSCR (Scotland), or the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.
- You have a charity number and follow charity law.
3. Social Enterprise or Community Business
- You run as a business but your main purpose is social or environmental benefit.
- You reinvest profits back into your mission rather than distributing them to shareholders.
- Examples include CICs (Community Interest Companies), Co-ops, and Community Benefit Societies.
Step 2: Choose your legal structure
Once you’ve selected your organisation type, you’ll then choose your legal structure. This describes the exact way your organisation is set up and operates.
Here are the options you’ll see on ActionFunder:
- Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
- A charity that is incorporated, giving trustees limited liability.
- Recognised only in England and Wales.
- A charity that is incorporated, giving trustees limited liability.
- Charitable Trust
- A charity run by a group of trustees under a trust deed.
- Often set up to manage assets or funds for charitable purposes.
- A charity run by a group of trustees under a trust deed.
- Co-operative Society
- A business owned and run by its members, who share decision-making and benefits.
- Must operate for the benefit of its members or the community.
- A business owned and run by its members, who share decision-making and benefits.
- Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC)
- A club registered with HMRC to provide community sports.
- Must meet certain requirements around participation and affordability.
- A club registered with HMRC to provide community sports.
- Community Benefit Society (BenCom)
- A type of co-operative set up to benefit the wider community (not just members).
- Registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
- A type of co-operative set up to benefit the wider community (not just members).
- Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO)
- The Scottish equivalent of a CIO.
- A legal form designed specifically for charities in Scotland.
- The Scottish equivalent of a CIO.
- Company Limited by Guarantee (including CICs)
- A company without shareholders; instead, it has members who guarantee a small amount if the company closes.
- Many charities and social enterprises choose this model.
- CICs (Community Interest Companies) are a specific type of company limited by guarantee with additional community benefit protections.
- A company without shareholders; instead, it has members who guarantee a small amount if the company closes.
- Unincorporated Association or Club
- A simple structure often used by small volunteer-run groups.
- No separate legal identity, so members are personally responsible for decisions and finances.
- A simple structure often used by small volunteer-run groups.
Which should I pick?
- If you’re a small, volunteer-led group with no formal registration → Community Group / Informal Group and likely Unincorporated Association or Club.
- If you’re a registered charity → Registered Charity and choose the legal structure you’re officially registered as (e.g. CIO, Charitable Trust, SCIO).
- If you’re a social enterprise or community business → Social Enterprise / Community Business and then select your legal structure (e.g. CIC, Co-operative, Community Benefit Society).
If you’re unsure, check your governing documents or registration details (Charity Commission, Companies House, FCA).
✅ Tip: If you’re still not sure which option to choose, don’t worry. Just pick the one that best matches your set-up, and the ActionFunder team will reach out if we need more details.