OSCR | Trustee information and guidance pack

Charity number

Is your charity a SCIO? * The Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation is a legal form unique to Scottish charities and is able to enter into contracts, employ staff, incur debts, own property, sue and be sued.

Yes
No

Is your charity trading? * Trading usually involves the sale of goods or services for the purpose of making a profit. Trading can be carried out directly by the charity, if it has the power in its governing document. In some cases it is advisable that any trading is carried out by a trading subsidiary.

Yes
No

Is your charity also a social enterprise? * There is no legal definition of a Social Enterprise in Scotland, and different stakeholders have their own views about what the characteristics of a social enterprise are. It’s generally recognised that a Social Enterprise is a business and operates on a profit-making basis, putting those profits back into the social mission or purpose of the organisation.

Yes
No

Is the organisation a grant giving charity? * Charities can give grants in different circumstances and for different reasons, as long as it advances their charitable purposes, is in line with their governing document and the 2005 Act.

Yes
No

Is your charity involved in political campaigning? * Our position is that charities can campaign on political issues to advance their charitable purposes, including during electoral periods, as long as the requirements of charity law, and where necessary electoral law, are met.

Yes
No

Does your charity’s board contain elected members? *

Yes
No

Does your charity use social media? *

Yes
No

Is your charity a cross-border charity? * Most of the charities that operate in both England and Wales and Scotland are registered with OSCR and with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (CCEW), these are known as ‘cross-border’ charities.

Yes
No

Does your charity work with children or vulnerable adults? *

Yes
No

Is your charity looking to produce or update a reserves policy? * Reserves are the funds that your charity has which can be freely spent on any of its charitable purposes.

Yes
No

Trustee Information and Guidance Pack - BETA