Charity merger or collaboration checklist

The purpose of this guidance note, and others in the series, is to provide those responsible for the governance of a charity with a framework setting out the issues which should be borne in mind when considering the possibility of formally collaborating with, or merging with, one or more charities. 

Purpose of this guidance

This guidance is written for trustees and those senior members of staff with significant powers delegated to them by the charity’s trustees (such as the charity secretary/governance professional or chief executive). This guidance note seeks to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of collaboration and merging with another charity and covers the legislative issues around charities regulated by the Charity Commission in England and Wales. The information below provides an oversight of the potential benefits and drawbacks of collaboration or merger, but does not constitute legal advice. Professional input from legal and financial experts will be advisable to ensure the proposed actions do not fall foul of the legal and regulatory framework within which the organisation operates.

This document includes:

• Introduction
  Charity merger or collaboration checklist
• Alternative options to merger
• Checking key governance factors
• Timetable of events
• Due diligence

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