We are very excited to announce that Charterpath is now officially a UK registered charity - listed on the register of charities with the Charity Commission for England and Wales! This significant milestone marks a new chapter in our mission to chart a path between the non-profit sector and volunteers with financial skills.
The journey to registered charity status
We initially launched Charterpath in 2020 as a LinkedIn campaign, to raise awareness about the importance of skills-based volunteering as the pandemic wreaked financial havoc on the non-profit sector. As our campaign gained momentum we formalised our activities in a Community Interest Company (CIC) - a company set-up where the profits are reinvested into the community.
The ambition was always to establish Charterpath as a charity in time - - and help came in 2023 in the form of an introduction by one of our Advisory Board, Jon Yeung, to Ed Gander at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Like many firms in the legal sector, Weil places great value in skilled-based volunteering, supporting its colleagues to undertake pro bono work to develop their own skills as well as to give back to the community.
A team led by Rob Powell took on the task of helping us convert Charterpath from a CIC to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) which involved a refresh of our business plan, new legal documentation and a detailed application to the Charity Commission. Many thanks to Emily Miller, Lucy Chambers, Rebecca Williamson and Michael Francis whom together contributed over 95 hours of their time on a pro bono basis to complete this.
Approval finally came on 19 March 2024 and it was official - Charterpath CIC was dissolved and Charterpath CIO registered at the Charity Commission, registered charity number 1207509.
Why does charity status matter?
Charterpath was always established as a non-profit organisation with any profits or funds raised re-invested in our mission. However the legal structures of Community Interest Companies are not well known and do not allow the same benefits of a charity. Charterpath being registered as a CIO will open many doors including:
1. Fundraising opportunities: charities are eligible for a wider range of grants and funding opportunities, plus are likely to attract more donations
2. Public perception and trust: being a charity enhances credibility and public trust, as charities are subject to stringent regulatory oversight and governance standards
3. Financial benefits: no corporation tax on profits, tax relief for donors plus gift aid on donations (yes please)
Of course with these benefits comes greater scrutiny and rigour as part of the Charity Commission reporting - however this is something we welcome. We will be building out our trustee board over the months ahead to support us with good governance.
Charitable partnerships here we come
Over the past 3 years we have already grown our community of finance professionals to over 2,000 and supported more than 200 non-profits to secure volunteers - and with our new status as a UK registered charity, we are more motivated than ever to continue our work and expand our impact in the non-profit sector.
As a charity we will be seeking to connect with other organisations (corporates and non-profits) who are looking for a charity partner - to collaborate on mutually beneficial projects, raise awareness of our respective missions and help their team to deliver on ESG goals.
New activities underway which we are seeking support on include: an upcoming Charterpath podcast, an expanded mentoring program and a training tool for assessing non-profit financial health.
Support Charterpath’s vision? Does your mission align with ours?
Get in touch with us at Charterpath to enquire about partnership opportunities.
Thank yous
Before we close out this blog we want to say a BIG THANK YOU to our team who have helped us make this Charterpath dream such a success to date.
Charterpath is built on the strength of its volunteers and the diverse skills they bring to the table. Our team and advisory board comprises individuals from various backgrounds, all united by a common goal: to make a meaningful difference to the lives of the individuals and organisations we’ve set out to support, connecting skilled finance professionals with non-profits and charities. Whether it’s organising inspiring events, providing mentorship, or contributing to our strategic planning, each member plays a crucial role in our success.
We also want to extend our gratitude to everyone who has been part of this journey. To our volunteers, charity partners, donors, and supporters – thank you for coming on Charterpath’s journey with us. This achievement is a testament to what we can accomplish together.
As we move forward, we invite you to join us in our mission. Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word about our work, your support is invaluable. Together, we can continue to create positive change and make a lasting impact in significantly increasing the proportion of finance professionals who volunteer for non-profit organisations.
All the best,
Alice and Alex
Co-Founders, Charterpath
Charterpath CIO is a UK registered charity (1207509) on a mission to chart a path between non-profits and volunteers with financial skills. Charterpath was co-founded by Alice Clementi and Alex Marsh, both chartered accountants with extensive volunteering and fundraising experience alongside their professional careers. They were inspired to start Charterpath in 2020, after seeing first-hand the unprecedented financial challenges facing the non-profit sector from pandemic.
Inspired to support our mission? Follow Charterpath on LinkedIn and join our community at www.charterpath.org.uk to access our newsletter, exclusive events and volunteer roles!
Do you lead a finance team or accountancy practice - ask Charterpath to join a team meeting (virtual or in person) and present directly on the benefits of volunteering and how to get involved - contact us at info@charterpath.org.uk.