How to Write a Charity Business Plan (Template & Guide)
How to write a charity business plan. Free template structure, key sections, financial projections, and tips for funding applications. UK charity guide.
A charity business plan isn't just for grant applications — it's your roadmap. It forces clarity about what you do, who you serve, how you'll fund it, and where you're going.
Template Structure
1. Executive Summary (1 page)
Who you are, what you do, who you serve, and what you need. Write this last.
2. The Problem (1-2 pages)
What issue does your charity exist to address? Use data, statistics, and real stories. Be specific about the scale and urgency.
3. Your Solution (1-2 pages)
What you do about it. Your programmes, services, and activities. Evidence that your approach works.
4. Beneficiaries (1 page)
Who you serve. Demographics, geography, numbers. How you reach them and how you know they need what you offer.
5. Theory of Change (1 page)
Your logical model: activities → outputs → outcomes → impact. How does what you do create the change you want to see?
6. Market Analysis (1 page)
Who else works in this space? What's different about your approach? Where are the gaps you fill?
7. Operational Plan (2 pages)
- Staffing — current team and planned hires
- Premises — office, service delivery locations
- Technology — systems, tools, CRM
- Key partnerships and collaborations
8. Governance & Management (1 page)
Board composition, meeting frequency, governance code compliance, key policies.
9. Financial Plan (2-3 pages)
- 3-year income projections by source (grants, donations, trading, contracts)
- 3-year expenditure projections
- Cash flow forecast
- Reserves policy and target
- Fundraising strategy summary
10. Risk Assessment (1 page)
Top 5-10 risks with likelihood, impact, and mitigation. See our risk register template.
11. Monitoring & Evaluation (1 page)
How you'll measure success. KPIs, data collection methods, reporting frequency.
Tips
- Keep it under 20 pages — funders skim, they don't read novels
- Be honest about finances — show you understand the numbers
- Update annually — a business plan is a living document
- Tailor for the audience — a version for trustees, a version for funders, a version for partners
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