Create a governing document for your charity
How to create a governing document for your charity, including required details, document types and templates.
You must create a governing document that explains how your charity is run.
Your governing document lets trustees and other interested parties find out:
- your charity’s purpose
- who runs it and how they run it
- how trustees will be appointed
- rules about trustees’ expenses
- rules about payments to trustees
- how to close the charity
The governing document should also outline procedures for meetings, voting and finances.
There are a few different types of governing documents, including:
- a constitution for an association
- articles of association for a company
- rules for an Industrial and Provident Society
- a trust deed for a trust
- a will for a will trust
Governing document templates
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland provides model . Charities can use the templates as a starting point and adapt them to meet their organisation’s specific requirements.
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