Music Education Hub Support Programme: Charity Set up with Bates Wells

Are you thinking of setting up a charity alongside your music service, perhaps as a ‘friends of’ charity or to attract external funding? Erica and Gus from Bates Wells will deliver an interactive session on this topic, answering the following questions and any others you wish to ask:

•  Why set up a charity - What is a charity? What are the pros and cons of being a charity? Are there alternatives to a charity?
• Legal structure – What are the options? What is the option for a music service charity?
• Governance – What does it mean to be a charity trustee? How do we find trustees? Do we need a separate membership? How can we involve stakeholders? To what extent can the music service control the charity? Can the CEO be on the board?
• How to set up a charity – What is involved? What is the timeline? What policies etc need to be in place?
• The role of the Charity Commission – What is the role of the regulator? How much contact will we have with the Commission? What happens if “things go wrong”?
• How to run a charity – Can we second employees to the charity? What are some of the key things to think about in running a charity?

About our presenters

Augustus Della-Porter - Partner, Bates Wells

I advise charities and not-for profits on a range of commercial and charity law matters, including advising on constitutional and governance issues, structures and restructures, mergers, operating overseas and spinning out from local and central government.

I work across a range of sectors and in particular faith-based organisations, public sector services, trade associations and membership organisations, and international not-for-profit organisations.

I lead on advising Muslim charities and not-for-profits in the UK and overseas, and charities operating in the Arab region and Muslim-majority countries. I’m particularly passionate about working with Muslim organisations and the Muslim community having lived in the Arab world for some years where I studied Arabic and Islam.

Erica Crump - Partner, Bates Wells

I work with charities and social and creative businesses, and lead our Culture + Creative work. A lot of my work is commercial and regulatory, often taking on a general counsel role for the clients I work with.

I have a particular interest in IP and intangible assets, and how clients can use those to do good and generate income. I am a trustee of Unitas and Stone Nest, two charities using education, culture and the arts to make a positive contribution to our society.