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An organisation should recognise and accept that it must honestly and openly explain to its stakeholders what it had done and why, so that they can make their own judgement about supporting or working with the organisation.
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Accounting means to put together bookkeeping systems to produce financial statements. An accountant needs to understand your organisational needs, so an understanding of the social enterprise sector may help. Accounts can also offer other services: payroll systems, bookkeeping, tax issues and management accounts.
Find an accountant by recommendations.
Community Accounting Plus Tel 0115 947 0839
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Tel 0141 582 2000
Institute of Chartered Accountants Tel 020 7920 8100
Accounting packages that may be suitable include Sage, QuickBooks, or Pegasus
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Economics term referring to the social, community, commercial or financial benefit which social enterprises deliver (links in with social auditing).
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There are organisations that can offer training and advice on advertising. Contact your local business support agency Business Link Derbyshire Tel 0845 6011 038
There are web sites available for you to advertise your social enterprise on, such as:
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The aims are the ultimate purpose of an activity or organisation, often there will be just one, however is it possible to work towards two destinations at the same time? Some people like to distinguish between long-term and short- term aims.
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Under the Companies Act a company must hold a meeting in each calendar year to deal with matters such as the adoption of the previous year’s financial statements, rotation of directors and the appointment of auditors.
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This is the planning and implementation of projects that provide assets for the benefit of community based organisations. For help and advice contact The Development Trust Association Tel 0845 458 8336
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There are two types of assets - fixed and current.
Fixed assets are anything owned by the organisation that has commercial or exchange value, e.g. buildings, shares, equipment.
Current assets are items that can be turned into cash quickly such as: stock, cash, money owed by debtors.
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The benefits of applying for awards can sometimes cover volunteer motivation, free advertising and increased funding. Organisations whose programmes offer awards to social enterprises are:
Enterprising Solutions Awards - from the Social Enterprise Coalition for best social and community enterprises, Tel 020 7793 2319.
See also Entrepreneur
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You can either have a business account at one of the main banks or alternatively use a bank that works with organisations that specialise in ‘not for profit’ organisations and charities. Check to see who is offering free banking.
Social Banks:
The Charity Bank Limited Tel 01732 774040
Unity Trust Bank Tel 0121631 2743
Tridos Bank Tel 0117 973 9339
Street UK Tel 0121 230 1060
The Cooperative Bank Tel 08457 215 215
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In the social enterprise sector bidding tends to relate to bidding rounds for funding applications. This can mean preparing a submission explaining why the funders should give an organisation grant funding. Some bidding rounds are rolling whilst others have specific deadlines.
See also Tendering
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Is the day-to-day recording of financial information needed to prepare for your accounts. You can find help with advice or training from agencies in the Support Services section.
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Private venture capitalists provide money and experience to early stage, high-risk investments. The name was originally given to those ‘angels’ who were prepared to help the theatrical profession by investing in new productions.
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| Business Information Sites (generic) |
Business Link Tel 0845 601138
Enterprise Quest – business tips and ideas. Also offer fact sheets on a selection of business ideas which you can buy individually for a few pounds. They give a clear breakdown of everything you should be looking at for your new business idea. Tel 0191 461 8000.
Cobweb Information for Business – Business tips, ideas and fact sheets. Tel 0191 461 800.
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If you are going to incorporate your organisation you will have to register your business name at Companies House, and carry out a search on their website to make sure no one else has the same name. There are restrictions on the usage of some sensitive words such as: ‘Royal’ or Institute’. Further details can be found on Companies House website, Tel 0870 33 33 636.
It is a good idea to check the name is also available as a web address (domain name) and register with organisations such as:
Easily
Easyspace
Low Cost Names
1&1
123reg
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Describes in detail the objectives of a business, and the necessary steps to achieve them. You will find an example business plan on the menu.
Organisations that can help with business planning are:
Business Links Tel 0845 6011038
Social Enterprise East Midlands (SEEM) they can give you the contact details of an advisor in your area. Tel 0800 013 1123 between 9am and 12.30pm.
See Support Organisations
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The process by which, individuals and groups acquire the skills, confidence, information and knowledge with which they can turn their wishes and aims into practical action.
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For details of careers in social enterprise contact Social Enterprise London, who can offer guidance. See their publication ‘Work to Live’.
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A projection of expected income and expenditure over a period of time.
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Charities are not social enterprises and can only trade under certain circumstances:
- Primary purpose trading
- Beneficiary trading
- Occasional trading
You will need to discuss these options with the Charity Commission. In spite of this, charities can establish a ‘Trading Subsidiary’, which can be in the form of a trading arm, if the trading activities are not directly undertaken to fulfil the charities primary objective.
You need to check that the charity has the authority to support the formation of a trading company. However, a trading arm can come under the heading of a social enterprise.
Charity Commission Tel 0800 2798 798
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A common bond is what unites an organisation. This could be whether you live or work in a community or have the same aims and objectives.
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An organisation which is set up, owned and controlled by the local community and which aims to create jobs for local people and focus on local development. They have a strong geographical definition and focus on local markets and local services.
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Assessing the community’s needs and support for any new social enterprise venture is vital. By consulting the community and undertaking a marketing plan it will give your organisation a better chance of survival.
You might like to check your latest parish plans for any recent surveys or consultations.
For advice on carrying out a community consultation there are organisations who can offer help:
CVS - Councils for Voluntary Service
Derbyshire Rural Community Council Tel 01629 824797
Neighbourhood Initiatives Foundation Tel 01952 590777
Rural Community Shops (formerly ViRSA) for retail shops, Tel 01993 814377
Local Council Offices
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| Community Development Enterprises |
These provide broader economic and social benefits to their communities through commercial activities. They are often community owned.
They can include:
- Development Trusts
- Community Land Trusts
- Community business
See Development Trust Associations 0845 458 8336
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| Community Interest Companies |
A new type of legal structure specially designed for social enterprises. They are limited companies with special additional features created for the use of people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and not purely for private advantage. This is achieved by a community interest test and asset lock, which ensures that the CIC is established for community purposes and the assets and profits are dedicated to these purposes.
Registration of a company as a CIC has to be approved by the Regulator who also has a continuing monitoring and enforcement role. Contact The Regulator at Companies House Tel029 203 46228
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| Company Limited by Guarantee |
This is a commonly used legal form for social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations as it is easy and cheap to set up, with an understandable format. As an alternative to buying shares, members provide a guarantee of a pre-determined amount should it be needed when the company is wound up. This amount may be as little as £1. To find out more contact Companies House Tel 029 203 46228.
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| Company Limited by Shares |
A company formed under the company’s act that is controlled by its shareholders. Normally community owned with one share one vote and not able to benefit financially. Companies House Tel 029 203 46228
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In a social enterprise structure the constitution will be covered in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of a company or Rules of an Industrial and Provident Society. However, there is nothing stopping you from having a model constitution.
You can find templates and examples of constitutions at your local CVS, the Charity Commission Tel 0845 300 0218, or the CIC Regulator Tel 029 203 46228.
Model rules are also available for many Industrial and Provident Societies (depending on their activity), for example the Plunkett Foundation’s ‘Rural Community Shops’ Project (formerly ViRSA) can provide model rules for a community-owned village shop and Wessex Reinvestment Trust can provide model rules for an IPS wishing to attract funding through community share investment. Contact Co-operatives UK’s legal sevices team in the first instance Tel 0161 246 2900.
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A cooperative is defined as "An autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise".
Cooperatives are classed as social enterprises. They work to specific values and principles, and examples include workers’ cooperatives, consumer and producer coops, cooperative partnerships and cooperative consortia.
Co-operatives UK Tel 0161 246 2900.
Federation of Agricultural Co-operatives (UK) Ltd 020 7331 7216.
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| Corporate Social Responsibility |
This is when a business, either large or small, looks at how to improve their social, environmental and local economic impact on society, fair trade and human rights. You can register for membership with the Ethical Company Organisation Tel 0207 2292 056.
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Credit unions are financial co-operatives owned and controlled by their members. They offer savings and great value loans plus they are local, ethical and know what their members want.
Each credit union has a ‘common bond’ which determines who can join it. The common bond may be for people living or working in the same area, people working for the same employer or people who belong to the same association, such as a church or trade union.
For a list of local offices contact: Association of British Credit Unions (Co-operative lending and borrowing schemes) Tel 0161 832 3694
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A customer is a purchaser, a consumer, a user, or possibly an indirect beneficiary of the products and services produced by an organisation. Customers can be individuals, groups or organisations (such as commercial companies, public sector bodies, or other social enterprises, community groups or charities).
An individual or organisation does not necessarily have to pay for the goods or services to be regarded as such, their needs and expectations should be understood and met. A social enterprise must, by definition, have some paying customers who pay for the goods and services they receive.
For more information contact Institute of Customer Service Tel 01206 571716
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If you are holding details of customers/clients/volunteers you must adhere to the Data Protection Act, which aims to promote high standards in the handling of personal information, and to protect the individuals’ rights. For help and advice contact Information Commissioner Tel 01625 545 745
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| Defining a Social Enterprise |
The DTI use their ‘a guide to good practice’ booklet to offer guidelines on how to define a social enterprise - you can use their 3 tests:
Test 1 Registration – organisations should be registered with Companies House as a legal structure
Test 2 Trading – the social enterprise should be actively trading, excluding income from grants, subsidies etc.
Test 3 Pursuit of a Social Aim - principally re-invests its surpluses in the business or in the community.
Other defining characteristics of a social enterprise may be:
1 Social purpose
2 Trading
3 No distribution for private profit
4 Common ownership
5 Democratic structure
6 Accountability
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Development trusts are enterprises created by communities to bring wealth and improvements to their area. For examples contact Development Trust Association Tel 0845 458 8337
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For advice and information on disabled people’s and employees rights and reviewing premises for disabled access, contact: Equality and Human Rights Commission Tel 08457 622 633.
Derbyshire Coalition for Inclusive Living based in Ripley (Tel 01773 74026) specialise in disability rights and the development of services and policies to meet the needs of disabled people.
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| Employee-Owned Businesses |
These range from the small, niche ‘lifestyle’ co-operatives, to medium-size or large social enterprises that combine social goals with strong economic performance. Co-operative UK Tel 0161 246 2900
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Employing staff? For help with employment rules and regulations contact ACAS Tel 08457 47 47 47.
The BERR have free publications with information on employment rules and regulations - Tel 9845 015 0010.
Home Office - How to check someone is entitled to work in the UK. Tel 0845 010 6677
Help with finding the right person for your organisation contact Job Centre Plus Tel 0845 601 2001
Business Link Tel 0845 6009 006
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A social entrepreneur sees strength and resource in communities and acts on opportunities to activate these qualities.
Organisations that support social entrepreneurs:
School for Social Entrepreneurs
Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs UNLtd
University of Wales Institute Cardiff (MBA) Social Entrepreneurship
Community Action Network helps social entrepreneurs and is a leading organisation for social franchising - Tel 0845 456 2537
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Equal opportunity issues arise throughout employment, particularly in recruitment, selection and promotion. There are three types of discrimination: direct discrimination, indirect discrimination and victimisation.
To find what this includes contact:
ACAS Tel 08457 47 47 47
Equality and Human Rights Commission Tel 0845 601 5901
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Funds that are invested in companies, which have been screened to ensure that they are not engaged in activities, which the investor would not wish to support. Typically defence or environmentally unfriendly.
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Factoring or ‘invoice discounting’ is a way of collecting payment of part on an invoice’s amount more quickly than the usual 30-90 days. It is useful when an organisation experiences frequent delays in payments.
For a fee a financial concern will provide a portion of the invoice amount in advance, and receives payment when the invoice are due and give the organisation the balance of what is owned to them. Contact your local bank for advice, or for case studies on how factoring can help improve cash flow: Decision Finance.
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A term which refers to an alternative approach to international trade. It’s a trading partnership which aims to encourage sustainable development from excluded and disadvantage producers. Supporting partner businesses do this by promoting and providing better trading conditions.
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Feasibility studies are needed to provide an over view of the main issues relating to your business idea. The purpose is to identify any ‘make or break’ issues that would prevent your business from being successful in the market place. A feasibility study determines whether the business idea makes sense and will be achievable.
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Finance within social enterprise can cover more than one route. It is recommended by BERR that social enterprises be at least 50% trading to be classed as a social enterprise.
As most social enterprises start up with grant funding or loans, refer also to the grants and loan section as well as to the cash flow forecasting in the business plan. You will should cross reference with other sections in the A-Z which also relate to finance by selecting the category 'Finance'.
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Organisations who offer help and advice for food projects are:
F3 – a consultancy enabling local and sustainable food initiatives (a co-operative) Tel 0845 458 9525
SAUSE is a website that has been compiled as a result of research carried out for community food farming, by SUSTAIN. It offers a ‘Toolkit for Community Food Products’ - Tel 020 7837 1228.
Making Local Food Work – an initiative managed by the Plunkett Foundation with the objective to 'reconnect people and land through local food increasing access to fresh, healthy, local food with clear, traceable origins'.
Rural Community Shops (formerly ViRSA – the Village Retail Services Association) – now a project of the Plunkett Foundation, this supports rural communities wanting to set up and run a community-owned shop. It provides practical assistance, a network of community retail advisers, a national office and various publications.
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Franchising offers franchisees the advantage of starting up a new business quickly based on a proven trademark and formula of doing business, as opposed to having to build a new business and brand from scratch. You can buy a licence from an existing organisation (the franchisor) and use their trade name, products, services, systems, promotions, training etc.
Community Action Network is a leading organisation for social franchising - Tel 0845 456 2537
Social Firms UK is another organisation that deals with social enterprise franchising - Tel 01737 764021
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The legal structure of an organisation. This also relates to procedures for governing the organisation and conformance to the memorandum and Articles of Association, plus legality of practices.
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Grants are given to help an organisation to meet its aims, which could be for a variety of things such as start up, training, or a new project. It is not free money; it will need to be accounted for. The majority of organisations who give grants will have their own guidelines on applying and monitoring the grant that has been offered to you.
If your funding body is not happy with the way in which you have used the grant, in the times allocated, they can ask for it back (clawback). You need to read your conditions carefully to make sure you can achieve your outputs and reach your goals. Help and advice on sourcing grants is found on the Funding page.
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The Health & Safety Executive can answer all your questions relating to health & Safety in the workplace - Tel 0845 345 0055.
You can also find publication on health-and safety matters on www.hsebooks.co.uk Tel 01787 881165.
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A form of industrial and provident society established especially for the provision of social housing.
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| ILM (Intermediate Labour Market) |
These provide training and work experience within the supportive structure of a community business. The work experience is often a year in length and a stepping-stone to employment and can be managed as a social enterprise or a private company.
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When you register your social enterprise as an incorporated organisation, either by registering with Companies House or as an IPS society, it becomes a legal entity. This shifts liability and confers various rules and requirements on the organisation.
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| Industrial and Provident Society |
There are two types of I&PS; a bona-fide co-operative and a society for the benefit of the community.
Co-operative I&PS is a corporate form used by a broad range of enterprises, it will use and observe the international co-operative principles. They will be governed by their ‘Rules’ not a Memorandum and Articles of Association as in company law.
An I&PS Community Benefit Society is a democratic not-for-profit organisation but their primary objective is to serve the broader community, not just membership, it is also governed by its ‘Rules’.
I&PS are governed by the FSA - Financial Services Authority Tel 020 7066 1000
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Compulsory insurance types are: Employers’ liability insurance; Motor insurance. Depending on your type of business your organisation may need other specialised types of insurance.
There are other areas of risk for which insurance cover is wise: Building Insurance; Contents Insurance; Business Equipment; Public Liability and Professional Indemnity.
For more help contact:
Association of British Insurers (ABI) Tel 020 7216 7546.
British Insurance Brokers’ Association Tel 0870 950 1790.
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Social Firms UK have produced a guide ‘Internet Marketing For Social Enterprises’ available for free download.
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You may want to lease premises or equipment for your organisation. You could weigh up the pros and cons of leasing as opposed to buying. It may be advisable to read the small print or get advice from your solicitor or bank manager before you sign up to some more complex leases, such as premises.
For finance leasing contact: Finance & Leasing Association Tel 020 7836 6511
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Lawyers For Your Business gives organisations a free half-hour legal consultation.
For legal help contact the Law Society Tel 020 7405 9075.
Legal advice and services available to social enterprises in the West Midlands:
www.socialenterprisewm.org.uk/access-to-support/legal/default.aspx
Publications
'Keeping it Legal: Legal Forms for Social Enterprises’ - Now updated to 2nd edition.
'Organisational Structures for Rural Social Enterprises'
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Legal structures are explained on the SEDD Legal Status page.
Books and fact sheets to help are:
'Keeping it Legal: Legal Forms for Social Enterprises’ from the Social Enterprise Coalition Tel 020 7793 2323. Now updated to 2nd edition.
'Organisational Structures for Rural Social Enterprises' from Bates, Wells and Braithwaite Tel 020 7551 7777.
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Depending on your organisation you may need certain licences e.g. music, entertainment. To check if you need a licence for your activities the Business Links website offers an online check, which will let you know what licence you may need - Tel 0845 600 9 006
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A loan is when you borrow money with certain terms and conditions for its repayment. A loan can offer you more financial flexibility than a grant, as you have fewer restrictions on its usage. To find organisations that offer loans to enterprises check the Funding page.
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Co-operatives Magazine
new start Tel 0114 281 6133
Regeneration and Renewal Tel 020 8267 8063
Social Enterprise Tel 0114 2816130
Third Sector
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This can provide the evidence you need to prove that your product/service will sell (or not) at that particular time and price. It’s about researching and understanding the product and customer.
For help locally with your marketing plan contact your local Business Link and speak to a business advisor - Tel 0845 058 6644.
For people who want to know more about Internet marketing, Social Firms UK have produced a guide Internet Marketing For Social Enterprises available for free download.
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An effective way for your organisation to grow is to focus on its marketing efforts. This means understanding how to get your product or service to the right customer at the right price and at the right time, and also how to keep your customer.
For training books and information on qualifications in marketing contact: CIM - The Chartered Institute of Marketing Tel 01628 427500.
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Social Enterprises can become members of organisations, which can offer a variety of benefits from trading opportunities to help and advice.
Community Action Network - CAN Tel 0845 456 2537
Co-operatives UK Tel 0161 246290
Social Enterprise East Midlands (SEEM) Tel 0115 845 6434
nearbyyou
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| Memorandum and Articles of Association |
A company’s constitution is contained in 2 documents 'The Memorandum of Association' which contains the objects and powers and 'The Articles of Association' which sets out the internal management structure and procedures.
You are advised to take legal advice as a safety precaution.
For a variety of M&AA examples relating to the different types of incorporation for social enterprises contact: Community Interest Companies Regulator – Companies House Tel 029 2034 6228
Co-operative Society have their own model for Co-op’s CIC’s
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An organisations stated reason for being, its purpose. An effective mission statement may be encouraging, realistic and straight to the point.
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These are organisations that band together with the common purpose of providing a shared service from which they all benefit, e.g. Credit Unions, Co-operatives, building societies, employee-owned businesses.
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This refers to organisations, which may well make a profit, but do not distribute their profits to shareholders and instead use the profit/surplus for social or community benefit, or reinvest in fulfilling their social aims.
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Specific and measurable levels of achievement, laid down in the aims and objectives of the organisation to achieve its goals.
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Public, private and community work together to implement a programme.
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For information of work-based pensions contact the Pensions Regulator Tel 0870 606 3636
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Procurement refers to the overall process of acquiring or selling a product or service.
Depending on the circumstances, it may include some of all of the following: identifying a need, specifying the requirements to fulfil the need, identifying potential suppliers, soliciting bids and proposals, evaluating bids and proposals, awarding contracts or purchase orders, tracking progress and ensuring compliance, taking delivery, inspecting and inventorying the deliverable, and paying the supplier.
For help and guidance contact Chesterfield LINKS, who offer a range of services from ‘getting ready for tendering’ to the bidding process - Tel 01246 274844
Social Enterprise Coalition – offers guidance with procurement for the NHS Tel 020 7793 2326
NCVO Public Service Delivery Network – a network for all those working in and with the voluntary and community sector on public services
Public Procurement ‘A Toolkit for Social Enterprises’.
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Securing a property could be the best way of finding the correct premises for you’re organisation.
The advantages of buying are:
- you would have fixed overheads
- the value of the building could increase
- you may have the opportunity of renting out to increase your revenue.
The disadvantages could be:
- it’s not so easy to fold up the organisation
- you have to budget for the upkeep and security.
You also have to abide by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to make your building accessible for customers and staff. Don’t forget you will need professional input. To find a registered surveyor contact Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Tel 0870 333 1600
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Social Enterprise London - www.sel.org.uk/publications.html
The Plunkett Foundation - www.plunkett.co.uk/resources/publications.cfm
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To find out what type of regulations your particular organisation needs to trade, you can fill a simple checklist on the Business Link website. It will produce a personalised list for your organisation.
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Rural Community Shops (formerly ViRSA) is a project which helps rural communities set up and run community owned shops. The Rural Community Shops section of the Plunkett Foundation website is an excellent place to start as it offers a variety of help and advice. Tel 01993 810 730.
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Different organisations have different views of what defines rural e.g. population of less than 10.000 people, or distance from major roads. However, both the Census 2004 and The Countryside Agency used population.
For a more specified definition see the National Statistics classification
Organisations who deal with rural social enterprise:
ACRE Tel 01285 653477
Derbyshire Rural Community Council Tel 01629 824797
Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire Tel 0115 949 0235
Groundwork Creswell Tel 01246 570 977
Plunkett Foundation Tel 01993 810730
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An agreement typically between a contract holder and a potential supplier, which lays out the conditions and levels of service to be met by the tendering body in fulfilling a contract.
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Social auditing is a way of measuring the added value of your organisation (or triple bottom line). It’s how an organisations social, environmental and ethical performance is monitored.
For further information:
Social Audit Network Tel 01 392 666281
Social Enterprise East Midlands Tel 0115 845 6434
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Social capital can enhance the economy by investing in the skills and knowledge of volunteers as human capital to benefit the local community.
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The Third Sector is made of organisations such as charities, social enterprises and the voluntary and community sector, who engage in the sale of their voluntary work, goods and services. The Third Sector is one of the largest growing sectors, which is currently improving the economy.
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A Social Firm is a business set up specifically to create employment for disabled people. It has 3 core values around Enterprise, Employment, and Empowerment. For more information contact Social Firms UK Tel 01332 814404 for East Midlands
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Speak to other social enterprises for recommendations of local solicitors, or contact Lawyers For Your Business(Tel 0207 405 9075 ) operated by the Law Society, who will help you find a solicitor.
Bates Wells & Braithwaite is a company in London that has specialist knowledge of social enterprise. There website has a variety information which may answer some of your questions relating to social enterprise - Tel 020 7551 7777.
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Sport organisations can be social enterprises and can be made financially sustainable and socially inclusive.
SEEM has set up a project to meet these needs and have a dedicated sports worker, who can offer free help and advice For more information on sport in the social enterprise sector contact Phillip Tulba at SEEM Tel 0115 845 6436.
Sport England Tel 08458 508 508
Sports & Recreation Trusts Assoication (SpoRTA) Tel 020 8317 5000.
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One who has a share or interest in an enterprise. All organisations will have stakeholders, they may include: partners, local and non-local community, community workers, direct customers, clients, service users, beneficiaries, board or management groups, finance or grant providers, shareholders, and employees.
For a more in-depth guidance read 'Keeping it Legal: Legal Forms for Social Enterprises’ - Now updated to 2nd edition.
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Statistics are important for confirmation when strengthening and supporting your business and marketing plan to use figures for evidence in your funding applications. To find local, regional and national statistics contact:
Plunkett Foundation
Intelligence East Midlands (East Midlands Observatory)
National Statistics
Derbyshire County Council - Social Statistics - Population Statistics
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Listed below are some of the organisations that offer help to social enterprises.
BizFizz
Business in the Community
Business Links Tel 0845 6011038
Cat’s Pyjamas Tel 0151 702 0564
Charity Commission Tel 0845 3000 218
Community Accounting Plus Tel 0115 947 0839
Community Action Network Tel 0845 456 2537
Co-operatives UK
Councils for the Voluntary Sector Tel 0114 278 6636
Development Trusts Association Tel 0845 458 8336
Directory of Social Change
New Economics Foundation
School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) Tel 01623 600 650
SEEM (Social Enterprise East Midlands) Tel 0115 845 6434 Social
Enterprise London
VIRSA 01993 814377
Social Enterprise Coalition Tel 020 7793 2323
ProHelp (free professional help) Tel 0870 600 2482
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The profit in many social enterprises is referred to as surplus, to reflect their ‘not for profit’ status as such, and will be reinvested in support of aims.
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Ensuring that an organisation can make sufficient revenue to be financially viable, and having the staff and volunteers to support this, also the resources to do so.
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For all your tax and vat enquiries contact the newly merged HM Revenue & Customs Tel 0845 010 9000.
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The following have details of tenders:
Contracts from Derbyshire Local Authorities
Official journal of European Communities
Government contracts typically worth less than £100.000
European online journal
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A term used to describe those organisations, which are not part of either the private or the public sectors. E.g. social enterprises, development trusts, community enterprises and cooperatives.
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An organisation, which encourages people to do voluntary work to assist others and bank hours, which they may later cash in to be used by themselves or which they may donate so that some other person receives the benefit. The type of help that may be offered from volunteers can be anything from cleaning to help with letter writing.
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| Trading Arms of Charities |
Some charities establish trading arms, in pursuit of their aims. They are incorporated business, run by directors and with the same social aims as the charity. Their purpose is to trade and pass over their profits/surplus to their charity. Contact the Charity Commission for more information Tel 0800 2798 798
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| Training for Social Enterprises |
Training offered locally may or may not be accredited you might find some advertised in newsletters and on support organisations websites. Make sure theses agencies are aware of you, and have your details.
On going training available:
SETAS (Social Enterprise Training and Support) Tel 01332 604080
School for Social Entrepreneurs Tel 115 875 8828
University Courses:
Post Graduate courses in social enterprise Centre for Institutional Studies, University of East London
Judge Business School, University of Cambridge
Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Said Business School, Oxford University
University of Wales Institute Cardiff (MBA) Social Entrepreneurship
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When an organisation in the interest of being accountable in all aspects of the operation openly discloses it business so that stakeholders have a good understanding of how the organisation performs and behaves.
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Measurements of an enterprise’s impact taking social, environmental and financial factors into accounts.
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A term for an area based development organisation that is a charity, an alternative term for ‘community enterprise’ or ‘development trust’.
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An informal group, which has no legal structure and is governed by its own rules.
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Valued added tax (VAT) is a tax on sales of goods and services. Take advice on registering if your income is more than £61.000 a year (2006) or you can take the option take advice and registering voluntarily. HM Revenue and Customs Tel 0845 010 90000.
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Funds provided by for instance a bank, building society or specialised lending institution to an organisation/individual to start up or develop a business or company where a high degree of risk maybe involved.
For more information and details of funding for social enterprises contact:
The Adventure Capital Fund Tel 020 748 83455.
Bridges Ventures Tel 020 7262 5566.
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The use by grant-makers and investors of certain principles traditionally associated with venture capitalists to either build the capacity of a non-profit organisation or to invest in a social purpose business venture. Key elements include long-term relationships, development of business plans, provision of cash and expertise, and an exit strategy.
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| Visiting Other Enterprises |
If you are thinking of setting up a social enterprise or expanding an existing enterprise, or moving into contracting or developing a trading activity alongside your organisation’s existing activities, you may find it helpful to visit an organisation which has already done something similar. Funding may be available to both you and the host organisation you choose to visit to help you cover the costs of your visit.
Organisations offering funding for a visit
Development Trusts Association – Tel 0845 458 8336.
NCVO’s Only Connect scheme – Tel 0800 279 8798.
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Volunteers in the majority of cases are the backbone of the social enterprise sector. Many boards are made up of unpaid volunteer directors or trustees; some social enterprises are run entirely by volunteers.
Volunteering benefits the social economy and enhances the fibre of local communities. However, they should be covered by ‘Duties of care’ to include training, Employers Liability, insurances, and costs (accommodation, expenses etc).
For more guidance contact:
Volunteering England Tel 0845 305 6979.
National Council of Voluntary Organisations Tel 0800 279 8798.
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If an organisation is winding up for whatever reason the Memorandums and Articles of Association have to be read, and abided to according to the guidelines set down when the document was written. This usually means the assets are given to a group or organisation with similar social objectives. Also you must inform either Companies House or the Industrial and Provident Society which ever you are registered under.
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Organisations who specialise in working with women in business, including social enterprises, are:
Prowess Tel 01603 762355
WiiSE Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce Tel 0845 6011038
WIRE Women in Rural Enterprise Tel 01952 815338
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See 'Women in Business: The Co-operative Option'. Email helen.seymour@cooperatives-uk.coop Tel 0161 246 2921 or 077 88 190 589.
Women in Rural Enterprise Tel 01952 815 338
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Organisations who specialise in helping young people in business are:
The Princes Trust - which help people between the ages of 14 and 30 years. Contact to find an advisor in your area. Tel 0800 842 842.
Shell LiveWire offer advice and support for entrepreneurs aged less than 30 years. Tel 0845 757 3252.
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