Charities are organisations which are set up for the benefit of the community as defined by the law.
Not all voluntary and community organisations are registered charities but being one provides a distinctive legal form and a special tax status.
A charity is a voluntary organisation that exists for the public benefit and for a charitable purpose
Any charity can become involved in campaigning and in political activity which furthers or supports its charitable purposes, unless its governing document prohibits it. Charities can campaign for a change in the law, policy or decisions where such change would support the charity’s purposes. Charities can also campaign to ensure that existing laws are observed.
A charity cannot have political activity as any of its charitable purposes. This is because a charitable purpose must fall within the description of purposes set out in the Charities Act 2006. Charities cannot give their support to a political party or politician.
Every charity with a gross annual income of £5,000 or more is required by law to register with the Charity Commission. Once a charity reaches this threshold, it should register.
In order to register, your organisation needs to complete the Charity Commission Registration Application. You can download this pack from the Charity Commission website or you can call them to request a pack.
Any charity (whether registered or not) must ensure that it stays strictly within its charitable purposes (aims) and complies with charity law.
This information is adapted from the Resource Centre at www.resourcecentre.org.uk
This page is a summary of the information contained in the full online toolkit.
