Funding eligibility and legal structures

Information on how the legal structure of your organisation may affect your access to funding.

Company Limited by Guarantee (with charity status) (CLG)

  • Eligible to register as a charity
  • Permitted to take out loans
  • May NOT access issue shares and equity

Community Benefit Society

  • Eligible to register as a charity
  • Permitted to take out loans
  • May access issue shares and equity

Community Interest Company Limited by Guarantee (CIC)

  • NOT eligible to register as a charity
  • Permitted to take out loans
  • May NOT access issue shares and equity

Community Interest Company Limited by Shares (CIC)

  • NOT eligible to register as a charity
  • Permitted to take out loans
  • May access issue shares and equity

Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

  • Eligible to register as a charity
  • Permitted to take out loans
  • May NOT access issue shares and equity

Cooperative Society 

  • NOT eligible to register as a charity
  • Permitted to take out loans
  • May access issue shares and equity