Without really knowing what you want to do…. Some kind of non-profit incorporation is kind of the defacto set up if you want to apply for grants and funds, although its not out of the question for a run-for-profit company to apply for funding so long as they deliver their project and account for it to show that theres no accrual of profits. Some organisations actually have two legal entities – one a charity one a business, the business can act as a contractor to the charity but also delivery activities that are within the organisations aims, but don't necessarily pass the 'test' as charitable. I'm not sure if CIC's require a voluntary board they're a bit new-fangled.
My thoughts are though: If you are only looking at doing this thing part time, why go to all the ball ache of setting up an enterprise. Might there be a body/charity/enterprise out there through whom you could offer and deliver your service? If there is money to be applied for, or which changes hands it goes through their books, if there are fees to be be paid for your time – they are paid as a wage to you. The service is still yours to supply, and you can take yourself and your service on from one body to the next.
I say this because there is all sorts of support, encouragement (and funding) to get a social enterprise off the ground, but bugger all out there to sustain one. But if your project can add a bit of spice and value to someone elses service then that, in the long run, might be better for you.
