If things are going well at your charity and you’re considering expansion, a crucial part of the growth plans is making sure that you have the right skills, processes and insurance in place to cope with the changes and ensure that they’re both realistic and sustainable.

So, if you’re experiencing a period of growth, it’s important to consider the future challenges you’re likely to face.

Check the basics
Your ability to change your charity will depend on its structure and governing document. There are four types of charity structure – trust, unincorporated association, charitable company and charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) – which determine factors such as whether or not you can employ staff. Changing the structure can be complicated but there are more details on the government’s website. Trustees should also check their governing document – it’s likely that this will need amending to reflect any changes.

Finance
Handling budgets, controlling transactions and balancing the books carefully are all key to successful expansion so, if money isn’t your forte, make sure you employ a skilled accountant or financial expert to keep an eye on this side of the business.

Income changes
When your charity starts to earn more than £5,000 per year, you’ll have to register it with the Charity Commission. Visit their website for more information on how to do this as well as the various reporting and accounting methods you may have to adopt according to your size.

Partnerships
It can be a good idea to pool together resources and talent from another organisation whose work is relevant to your charity. This collaborative approach can benefit both parties and you’ll be better equipped to cope with the growing demands facing your charity. If a partnership doesn’t sound appealing, consider getting in touch with a larger organisation to see if they’ll mentor you on what to expect and prepare for during the expansion process.

Staff and volunteers
To begin with, many charities are run only by the trustees; but over time you’ll probably need to take on additional staff and/or volunteers. During the recruitment process it’s important to communicate your expansion plans and explain to candidates what will be expected of them in their roles, choosing individuals who fit into your wider goals and beliefs.

Insurance
No matter what type of charity you operate, there are various not-for-profit insurance products that offer a range of cover options. This ranges from compulsory cover – such as employers’ liability and motor cover – to additional options such as public liability, material damage and “all risks” cover. As your activities widen and the organisation becomes more complex, it’s crucial to revisit your insurance options to ensure you’re covered for all eventualities.

Hopefully these tips will help with any uncertainty about how to manage your charity’s growth. Once you’ve dotted the “i’s” and crossed the “t’s”, you can get down to the really hard task of running your expanding organisation.