Giving Wisely: A Few Simple Checks Before You Donate

Business

30 Jan

Giving to charity is a generous and personal choice. It’s often guided by your values and the causes you care most about. When something resonates, supporting it can feel instinctive.

Alongside that generosity, it’s worth taking a moment to make sure your donation is going where you expect it to.

Start with the basics

If you’re donating to a UK charity, it helps to check the relevant charity regulator.

In England and Wales, this is the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Its public register shows whether a charity is officially registered and active, along with its aims and reporting history.

For many people, this quick check is enough to feel confident.

You can search the register here:
https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/

Other UK charity regulators

Different parts of the UK have their own regulators. Depending on where the charity is registered, you may want to check:

Scotland – Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR):
https://www.oscr.org.uk/
Northern Ireland – Charity Commission for Northern Ireland:
https://www.charitycommissionni.org.uk/

If you’re donating outside the UK, local regulators or charity registers may be available in that country too.

When a little extra checking helps

If you’re donating to overseas causes, informal fundraising campaigns, or organisations linked to sensitive issues, it’s sensible to pause and do a little extra checking.

UK law places restrictions on providing financial support to certain individuals and organisations, regardless of intent. This means that even well-meaning donations can sometimes raise issues.

Useful public resources

Two openly available tools that can help provide reassurance are: