# Charity Commission advises on how to give to UK flood appeals

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/02/19/charity-commission-advises-give-uk-flood-appeals/
- Published: 2014-02-19T14:32:31+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The Charity Commission has re-issued its advice to the public on how to give safely
to genuine registered charities, as people respond to help those affected by the
flooding and storms in the UK. The advice seeks to prevent duplication of effort,
promote efficient transfer of monies to charities, and prevent fraudulent collections.

Sam Younger, the chief executive of the Charity Commission, said:

“Many people will be wondering what they can do to help victims of the extreme weather,
which has brought havoc to the lives of thousands of people across the UK. Our advice
is to ‘**think registered charity first**’ by finding existing charities that are
already providing expert support for those in need. Think carefully before setting
up a brand new charity. The Commission can register new charities quickly in times
of acute need. But often the most effective and efficient way to help is to support
existing established charities.”

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## Responsibilities of collectors

The Commission reminded the public that funds raised for charitable purposes still
fall under the Commission’s regulatory jurisdiction, whether or not they are raised
by an existing charity. In other words, people managing such appeals “take on the
legal duties and responsibilities of charity trustees”.

If the funds are not raised for an existing charity and are not spent swiftly, the
the Commission advises those managing the appeal to form a charity. Charities in
England and Wales with an income of over £5,000 must register with the Commission.

## Avoid duplication

The Commission advised people who wanted to help to consider supporting existing
coordinated relief efforts, such as UK Community Foundations, the umbrella bodies
for community foundations across the UK, which has launched a [Flood and Storm Appeal](http://ukcommunityfoundations.org/media/news_article/uk_community_foundations_flood_and_storm_appeal).
The British Red Cross is also active in the affected areas.

People should also contact their local Community and Voluntary Service, which may
be co-ordinating local charities’ responses to the disaster in their area.

## Avoid fraudulent collections

Fraudsters seem to see opportunities in most major disasters and charitable appeals.
The Commission there offers these 10 steps to help the public check whether an organisation
asking for their donations is a genuine charity.

 1.  Before giving, check the charity’s name and registration number. You can verify
     this at the [Charity Commission’s website](http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk).
     By checking the charity’s online register entry, you can also see whether it is
     up to date in filing its annual returns and accounts, which is fundamental to 
     being a well-run charity.
 2.  When approached by collectors, check whether they are wearing a proper ID badge
     and that any collection tin is sealed.
 3.  Very small local charities may not be registered with the Charity Commission because
     they are below the income threshold for registration (above £5,000 a year). If
     you are asked to give to a small unregistered charity, take additional precautions
     by asking questions about who the charity’s trustees are and how the funds will
     be applied.
 4.  If in doubt, ask the collector for more information. A genuine fundraiser should
     be happy to answer questions and explain more about the work of the charity.
 5.  Genuine fundraising materials should feature the charity’s name, registered name
     and a landline contact number. Be wary of those that list only a mobile number.
 6.  Look for the [FRSB tick logo](http://www.givewithconfidence.org.uk/) indicating
     that the charity is signed up to fundraising regulation, encouraging you to give
     with confidence.
 7.  To check whether a fundraiser is authorised to collect money in a public place(
     they must have a license), contact your local authority or, if in London, the 
     police. If it is a private place, check with the owner.
 8.  Take care when responding to emails or clicking links to a charity’s website to
     ensure that they are genuine. Instead, search online for your preferred charity
     to check you have the right web address.
 9.  After making these checks, if you think that a collection or appeal is not legitimate,
     report it as a crime to Action Fraud on [0300 123 2040](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/02/19/charity-commission-advises-give-uk-flood-appeals/0300%20123%202040)
     and inform the Charity Commission.
 10. If in any doubt, contact your favoured charity direct to make a donation.

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