UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham was launched by two endowed charities - Hammersmith United and Dr Edwards and Bishop King’s Charity in Fulham to mark their 400 year anniversary.
UNITED applied for independent legal status because the two charity’s governing documents did not allow them to fundraise. The first application was rejected because its aims were too broad, the second was submitted in June 2019 and registration was complete in January 2020.
Executive Director Savraj Kaur said that it was a complicated process and required the expertise of both herself and the Chief Executive of Hammersmith United Charities, as well asand the advice of solicitors.
UNIITED in Hammersmith & Fulham continues to benefit from pro bono office space and back office support from Hammersmith United. Savraj describes the process as liberating; their finances became transparent and registering for Gift Aid has made a big difference to fundraising.
However, the two funders currently provide core funding and only confirm this on a 12 month basis, so the long-term sustainability of the scheme feels less certain.