Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Seamless CIO registration to gain charitable status, unlock funding, and make a bigger impact.
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Advantages of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
CIOs offer charities the benefits of incorporation with less regulatory burden. Here's why this structure is often preferred by nonprofits.
Legal Entity Status
CIOs can enter contracts and hold property in their own name, reducing trustee risk.
Limited Liability
Trustees and members are protected from personal liability, unlike unincorporated charities.
Simpler Reporting
CIOs report only to the Charity Commission—not to Companies House—streamlining compliance.
Perpetual Succession
The charity continues even if trustees change, ensuring stability for the long term.
Enhanced Credibility
CIO status increases public trust due to official recognition and structure.
Flexible Governance
CIOs offer two models: Foundation and Association, allowing structural flexibility.
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FAQs for Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
A CIO is a legal structure designed specifically for charities. It provides the charity with a separate legal personality and limited liability for its trustees, while being regulated by the Charity Commission.
A CIO offers limited liability protection for trustees and does not require registration with Companies House. This makes administration simpler compared to charitable companies.
No. CIOs are only registered with the Charity Commission, which reduces the dual regulation burden that applies to charitable companies.
There are two types of CIO: (1) Association CIO, which has a voting membership wider than its trustees, and (2) Foundation CIO, where trustees are usually the only members.
Yes. CIOs must submit annual returns, accounts, and reports to the Charity Commission to maintain compliance and transparency.
Yes, trustees of a CIO generally have limited liability, meaning they are not personally responsible for the charity’s debts unless they act negligently or unlawfully.
Yes. Since a CIO has its own legal personality, it can employ staff, enter into contracts, and own property in the charity’s name rather than in the names of trustees.
Disadvantages include longer registration times, fewer lenders familiar with the CIO model, and the fact that it is still relatively new compared to traditional charitable structures.