Back to MEM Playbook

Module 11 • Full lessons available

Module 11: Social Enterprise and CIC Pathway

Most coaches with a community calling don't need to become a charity — they need to understand the social enterprise pathway, especially the CIC. This module walks through what a CIC is and isn't, the asset lock, governance, funding reality, partnerships, impact measurement and how a commercial + CIC pairing (the MEMFitness + MEM Academy model) works in practice.

~65 min total 10 lessons

Module progress0/10 • 0%

What you will learn

What 'social enterprise' actually means in plain English
What a CIC is — community interest statement, asset lock, annual reporting
How sole trader, limited company, CIC and charity compare
How to write a community purpose that passes the regulator's test
What the asset lock prevents — and what it still allows
Why CIC status is not a shortcut to grant funding
Minimum governance, advisory layer and documentation
How to build partnerships that compound rather than collapse
How to measure outputs vs outcomes vs impact and report so it counts
How MEMFitness (commercial) and MEM Academy (CIC) work alongside each other

Social Enterprise / CIC Canvas

Complete the worksheet at the end of this module to apply everything you learn.

Jump to worksheet

Lessons

Module worksheet — Social Enterprise / CIC Canvas

Use this worksheet to decide whether the social enterprise / CIC route fits your ambition — and if so, draft the building blocks: community purpose, structure choice, asset lock plan, governance, funding sequence, partnerships, impact model and a personal launch checklist.

1. Honest starting point

What my business actually is todayWould I still run this without the impact? Why / why notSocial purpose I'd commit to (if any)

Answers are saved to this device. Use Download to keep a copy.

2. Structure decision

Current structureTarget structure in 24 monthsWhat would have to be true to move

Answers are saved to this device. Use Download to keep a copy.

3. Community purpose

Specific community (2 dimensions)One-sentence community interest statementRevenue → activity → output → outcome map

Answers are saved to this device. Use Download to keep a copy.

4. Asset lock plan

Planned director salaryWhere surplus goes each yearNominated successor asset-locked bodyHow the asset lock would change my decisions

Answers are saved to this device. Use Download to keep a copy.

5. Funding sequence

What I can evidence to a funder todayBiggest evidence gap to fix nextFirst small pot I will apply toMid-sized grant I am building towards

Answers are saved to this device. Use Download to keep a copy.

6. Governance

3 people I'd invite to advisePolicies I need in writingNext filings + dates

Answers are saved to this device. Use Download to keep a copy.

7. Partnerships

3 anchor partner targetsUsable offer for partner 1Partnership I should exit + when

Answers are saved to this device. Use Download to keep a copy.

8. Impact model

Impact measure 1Impact measure 2Impact measure 3Baseline capture tool

Answers are saved to this device. Use Download to keep a copy.

9. Commercial + CIC pairing

Friction in my current single structureWhat each entity would own (1 paragraph each)What would have to be true to actually split

Answers are saved to this device. Use Download to keep a copy.

10. Launch checklist

Honest label written for current businessTarget structure decided + advisor consultedCommunity interest statement passes 'who exactly benefits?' testAsset lock plan + successor body nominatedFirst small pot identified + evidence gap closedAdvisory group invited + policies in writingFirst anchor partnership offer sent3 outcomes chosen + baseline tool builtSplit entity decision made (yes / not yet / never)

Answers are saved to this device. Use Download to keep a copy.

Back to full Playbook Next: Module 12

Module 11 final action

Your social enterprise / CIC pathway is mapped

Lock in your honest current structure and 24-month target, draft your community interest statement, line up 3 advisors, and decide which small funding pot you'll apply to first to start building the evidence base.

Pressure-test my CIC idea in AI Studio