7. Is being a charity right for your Social Enterprise?

There are advantages in becoming a charity, but you will need to consider whether this is the best option for your Social Enterprise. Registration as a charity tells the public that:

• your organisation meets the charity test
• your organisation is regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator
• the charity trustees (the people who control and manage it) must act in certain ways and provide certain information to us and to the public.

Being a charity can give you access to different opportunities and tax reliefs; however, it can also restrict the type of activities an organisation carries out. See our Becoming a Charity in Scotland section for more details. 

There are alternatives to being a charity that may suit your Social Enterprise better. For example a Community Interest Company or a Community Benefit Society.