For charity boards of trustees, strategic decisions around the future direction of their organisation are crucial. In this context, considering charity merger or collaboration opportunities can be a key part of that decision-making process.
Our experienced team of experts guides you through these complex matters such as joint ventures, mergers, takeovers, and restructuring. With a wealth of hands-on experience - many of our partners have also served as trustees - we make sure you are well-equipped to navigate joint ventures, mergers, takeovers, and restructuring with confidence.
Mergers and takeovers often present complex charity law issues, but our approach ensures these challenges are identified early, and that the path to a successful resolution is clear. When legal intricacies arise, we streamline the process, making complex decisions simpler and ensuring smooth, successful transitions for your organisation.
Given the nature of these transactions, we frequently engage with the Charity Commission, and our deep experience in managing these relationships ensures we understand their expectations and approach.
Our expertise
When considering a charity merger or collaboration, it’s essential to address various legal aspects to ensure a smooth transition and long-term success. Our team provides comprehensive support across key areas, offering tailored solutions that align with your charity’s goals and protect its future as you explore new opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Our team you can support you with:
As a full service firm we are able to advise on any of the issue that are likely to arise:
The team draws on the strengths and knowledge of their lawyers to ensure that solutions are approached from a 360-degree angle. Responses from VWV are not only speedy but also accurate and detailed.
Our work highlights
Merging a long-established charity with a new partner
We supported a charity founded in the late 19th century to help disadvantaged urban children. Our team advised on the due diligence process with a potential merger partner and negotiated detailed terms, including provisions for donating assets and facilitating the continuation of key employees’ work. We also helped ensure that several trustees joined the merger partner’s board to provide continuity in leadership.
Taking over a failing charity
We provided advice to a charity guarantee company on taking over a failing charity in a similar structure. Our team managed complex due diligence, drafted the terms for a change of control agreement, and facilitated changes to the second charity’s constitution. We also tackled challenging issues around permanent endowment and designated land, including two public consultations and extensive engagements with the Charity Commission to ensure compliance and safeguard the future of the charity’s assets.
Collaboration to maximise fundraising impact
We assisted a faith-based charity in collaborating with an international development charity to optimise the use of funds raised through the first charity’s supporter base. Our advice covered the development of detailed collaboration terms, including identifying suitable projects, allocating funding, and structuring management arrangements to ensure the collaboration achieved its maximum potential.
