5.1 Not for profit

In recent times funding has become available to support a range of ‘not-for-profit’ enterprises, community companies, social enterprises, charities, or community interest companies. These types of organisations are becoming increasingly important, especially as central government devolves more local service provision to local government and reductions in funding means many services are being cut.

In setting up one of these, you (and your community) will need to consider exactly the same things as any private or for-profit enterprise: demand, financial viability, skills and capacity, and how to secure funding.

However, as these are often publicly regulated bodies, they have a more complex legal structure and you should contact one of the organisations listed at the end of this session to find out more.