Oldest charity in England and Wales?
Howard Lake | 19 June 2001 | News
Amnesty International celebrated its 40th birthday last month, and Oxfam reached 50 back in 1992, but which is the oldest charity in England and Wales? Marking the 400th anniversary of the passing the Act of Charitable Uses of 1601, which effectively defined today’s charitable status, the Charity Commission is trying to find the oldest charity still in operation.
The King’s School Canterbury, founded 597 and re-founded c.1541, is currently leading the list. If your charity is older, contact Jane Grenfell at the Charity Commission before 30 August 2001.
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.