Starting a charity with no money: costs and registration
The Commission's registration guidance lists no application fee, and neither does HMRC's recognition page. A charitable company pays Companies House fees. Some structures need evidence of income before they can register.
Official costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Charity Commission application | No fee listed | The Commission's registration guidance lists no application fee |
| Model governing documents | Published on GOV.UK | The Commission's models for CIOs, charitable companies, trusts and unincorporated charities, in Word and PDF |
| HMRC recognition for Gift Aid | No fee listed | Online application |
| CIO | No Companies House fees | Registers only with the Commission |
| Charitable company | £100 online to incorporate (£124 on paper, needed to leave "Limited" out of the name); confirmation statement £50 online (£110 on paper) with the first statement in each 12-month period | Companies House fees as checked on 2 November 2026. Directors verify their identity, free through GOV.UK One Login |
| Community interest company (not a charity) | £115 online (£139 on paper) | Plus the confirmation statement fee. Shown for comparison: a CIC can't be a charity |
| Trust | Must start with an asset | The deed must name a sum of money, land or other asset, of any size |
| Unincorporated association | No incorporation; no Commission application fee listed | Adopts a constitution; the committee is personally liable |
The £5,000 test
| Your charity | Can it register with no money? |
|---|---|
| CIO | Yes. A CIO must register whatever its income and doesn't have to prove any, but it must explain how its work will be funded. It only exists once registered |
| Charitable company, trust or association | Not usually. It applies once annual income is over £5,000, with proof: latest accounts, a recent bank statement, or a formal offer of funding from a recognised funding body |
| A non-CIO under £5,000 that isn't excepted or exempt | Only in exceptional circumstances, such as significant funds offered on condition you have a charity number |
The Commission may accept a formal funding offer from a recognised funding body as evidence of income over £5,000, so a new charitable company or association can sometimes apply before the money arrives.
Costs that aren't fees
- Bank account. The Commission says even a small charity needs one, and that many banks offer treasurer or community accounts. Check the bank's own charges.
- Time. Recruiting trustees (the Commission recommends at least three unconnected, unrelated trustees), writing purposes, agreeing the governing document, and collecting ink signatures.
- Printing and scanning the trustee declaration, which every trustee signs on paper.
- Checks. If you work with vulnerable people, trustees confirm that all checks the law requires have been done.
Yearly costs to plan for
| Income | What's required (years ending on or after 30 September 2026) |
|---|---|
| Under £10,000 (registered non-CIO) | Report income and spending to the Commission |
| £10,000 to £25,000 (registered non-CIO) | Annual return |
| Over £25,000, and every CIO | Annual return, trustees' report and accounts |
| Over £40,000 | Accounts independently examined, unless an audit is required (published thresholds: income over £1.5 million, or assets over £5 million). You may have to pay an examiner |
| Over £500,000 | Where examination applies, the examiner must be professionally qualified |
Below £500,000, non-company charities, including CIOs, can choose simpler receipts and payments accounts.
Before you spend anything
The Commission suggests checking whether an existing charity already does what you want, and working with it, or setting up a named fund for a one-off appeal.
Raising the first money
- The Commission says start raising money once the charity is set up, and hold it safely and account for it properly.
- Once HMRC recognises you, Gift Aid brings 25p for each £1 of an eligible donation at the 20% basic rate. Eligible cash and contactless gifts of £30 or less can earn a top-up without declarations, if you claim Gift Aid in the same tax year, have had no Gift Aid or GASDS penalty in the current or previous tax year, and stay within the limits.
- A non-CIO under £5,000 can still apply to HMRC for recognition without registering. Small charities under £5,000.
Using an adviser
You can apply yourself or use an adviser, who may charge. The charity still has to meet the same requirements. It lists generic text that isn't specific to the charity, whether written by you or an adviser, as a reason it asks for more information.