International Structures

For many years the UK’s well established regulatory regime has attracted major philanthropists and international not-for-profit organisations seeking a suitable hub to co-ordinate global activity. We have worked with a wide range of organisations, from large international not-for-profit structures co-ordinating activity from a UK base, to charities fundraising across jurisdictions, including dual registered structures, and family charitable foundations with an international remit.

Our work has included:

• Advising on the charity regulatory aspects of a major international charity’s restructuring, involving a refocusing of its worldwide operational work and the creation of funding, IP licensing and other agreements between its national member organisations;
• Advising on international NGO structures for a wide range of charities
• Advising on the structure for strategic and fundraising collaboration between a major philanthropist’s US and UK foundations;
• Advising on international campaigning structures, including suitable UK and EU jurisdictions for charitable and non-charitable vehicles with access to UK/EU funding streams;
• Establishing dual registered UK charities, for example for a UK/US based philanthropist and for an international cancer charity, a major US children’s charity and a US university;
• Preparing and advising on affiliation agreements between UK charities and their associated international organisations, fundraising bodies and field offices for established international NGOs;
• Advising a major international philanthropic group on UK charity issues and establishment of a UK charity within the group;
• Advising on the charity and tax framework for international grant-making, including preparation of bespoke grant agreements;
• Advising on international funding and payment structures, including money laundering compliance and application of US Treasury and HM Government proscribed organisation list and associated banking arrangements