Choosing the Right Legal Structure: Could Your Organisation Be Missing Out on Funding?
Finding funding is challenging enough for charities and community groups without additional barriers standing in the way. With so much time spent supporting communities, delivering projects and managing everyday responsibilities, it can be easy to overlook some of the less visible factors that influence an organisation's opportunities.
But could the way your charity or community group is legally structured actually be affecting the funding available to you?
At The Great British Charity Conference on Tuesday 10 November, Andy Kershaw from South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau (SYFAB) will be exploring exactly that question.
His workshop, Choosing the Right Legal Structure: For Your Group or Organisation, will help attendees better understand the relationship between legal structures, governance and funding opportunities.
Why Does Legal Structure Matter?
Different organisations operate under different legal structures, and those arrangements can influence how they are governed, what responsibilities they hold and which funding opportunities may be available to them.
For smaller charities and community groups, understanding these differences is not always straightforward. An organisation may have been established in a particular way several years ago, but its activities, ambitions and requirements may have changed considerably since then.
Andy's workshop will explore the structures available to charities and community groups, how those arrangements can influence funding, and why it may sometimes be worth reviewing whether an organisation's current setup remains appropriate.
The session will also look at common governance challenges and help attendees feel more confident asking the right questions before considering changes.
Importantly, choosing a different legal structure does not automatically guarantee access to funding. However, understanding how these arrangements work can help organisations make better-informed decisions.
About Andy Kershaw
Andy is Training Manager at South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau (SYFAB), part of South Yorkshire's Community Foundation.
He leads SYFAB's fundraising training and works with voluntary organisations, community groups and smaller charities, helping them understand funding opportunities, organisational structures and governance responsibilities.
Before moving into the charity sector, Andy worked in local government community development and spent around two decades as a BBC journalist and broadcaster in South Yorkshire.
His workshop will bring that experience together to explore a subject that can sometimes feel complicated, but which may have important implications for an organisation's future.
Join Us at The Great British Charity Conference
Andy's workshop forms part of The Great British Charity Conference, taking place on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at Cast, Doncaster.
The conference will bring together charities, CICs, social enterprises, funders, businesses and public-sector partners for a day of speakers, practical workshops, networking and conversations about strengthening the third sector.
Standard tickets cost £30 per person, including lunch and refreshments.
Find out more about the conference:
Book your place:
Frequently Asked Questions
What will Andy Kershaw cover in his workshop?
Andy will explore the different legal structures available to charities and community groups, how these can affect funding opportunities, and the importance of good governance. He will also discuss when organisations might benefit from reviewing their current arrangements.
Can my organisation's legal structure affect its funding opportunities?
Yes. An organisation's legal structure can influence which funding opportunities are available to it. The workshop will help attendees understand these connections and consider whether their existing arrangements remain appropriate.
Who is Andy Kershaw?
Andy Kershaw is Training Manager at South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau (SYFAB), part of South Yorkshire's Community Foundation. He delivers fundraising training and supports charities and community groups with understanding legal structures and governance.
Where is the Choosing the Right Legal Structure workshop taking place?
The workshop is part of The Great British Charity Conference on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at Cast, Doncaster. Standard conference tickets cost £30 per person, including lunch and refreshments.
