Charities

With broad experience in all aspects of charity law, we are well placed to provide clients with effective, pragmatic advice.

We act for a wide range of charitable bodies and not-for-profit organisations, from grant-making family trusts to national charities operating in fields such as education and social care.

We also advise individuals on the establishment of charitable trusts, companies and charitable incorporated organisations and on tax-efficient giving. We can also help with the establishment of alternative structures, such as community interest companies, in circumstances where full charitable status may not be the best option.

Many charities operate not only in the UK but also overseas.  We coordinate advice with foreign lawyers to achieve the best results in all relevant jurisdictions.  We have particular experience in establishing charitable bodies which qualify for favourable tax treatment in both the UK and the US.

The Charities team draws on expertise from across the firm, including Tax, Corporate and Real Estate specialists to provide a practical and comprehensive service to charity and philanthropy clients.

Forsters' Private Client practice is top ranked in the latest editions of The Chambers HNW Guide.


The Life Cycle of Family Wealth

From growing a business to starting a family or handing over control of that business to the next generation, every individual has their own goals to aspire to. Our Private Wealth lawyers advise our clients throughout this family life cycle, providing the legal advice required for specific transactions such as purchasing a home or selling a business, whilst also advising on the long-term opportunities for succession and estate planning.

Forsters' Private Wealth - The Life Cycle of Family Wealth logo


Sustainability in the charitable sector – is social investment the answer?

The issue of sustainability for the charitable sector takes many guises, including in the way in which charities invest funds, but also in the activities which charities undertake and, by implication, fund. Sustainability as a theme can be observed through a number of different lenses and I deal below with the investment of funds and charitable activities in this context.

Charities for Sustainability


Art in the time of Coronavirus: Support for Charitable Arts Organisations

Charitable arts organisations have been hugely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. All of the large museums and galleries have had to cancel exhibitions and events, with enormous revenue consequences.

Charitable Arts Organisations in the Coronavirus Pandemic


Current issues for charitable grant makers

The coronavirus pandemic has increased pressures on the charitable sector in an unprecedented fashion. Many operational charities are facing a perfect storm because their usual sources of fundraising (whether through public donations or fundraising events) have been depleted in circumstances where beneficiary needs have grown exponentially. In these times, many charities are more reliant on their charitable funders i.e. grant makers, foundations and, in some cases, donor advised funds.

Current issues for charitable grant makers


Our Insights

"The team was efficient and, most importantly, applied common sense.”
Chambers UK, 2021
×