Does anyone know anything about charitable trusts?

[Footballschmootball]

Hi, I’m trying to find information about a charitable trust, but struggling with knowing how to go about this. I can’t find them listed on the charity commission website, but I believe they could still be legit if they don’t have to be listed eg if they take less than £5 k a year. Does anyone know if there is a way of checking if a charitable trust is a) real and b) spending money raised in appropriate ways. There doesn’t seem to be much transparency for this particular trust.

All charities are registered with the Charity Commission and listed on the website under their registered charity number. If it is very small/new it is exempt from filing audited accounts but should still be registered. What are your concerns?

Thank you. Basically they’re raising money through crowd funding on just giving but I’m not 100% convinced it’s actually going to the cause that they say it is. I had my own inkling but have now discovered that there are several others who have similar concerns. The fact that I can’t find any information about it either hasn’t helped to clarify it. I will ring the charity commission to ask whether they can find out if it’s actually registered. (They are not a new trust, they’re website states they’ve been a trust for several years. ) I could well be wrong but I feel I need to check it out.

There should be a Charity Number on their literature.

It could be that it’s very small- in which case how do people know what they’re doing with the money? Who are they accountable to?

@LIZS

There should be a Charity Number on their literature.

There isn’t.

If they claim to be a charity they will have a Charity Commission number - if you can't find it I'd be suspicious!

Small unregistered charities still have to comply with charity law and are subject to the charity commission’s regulatory powers. If you are concerned the charity is misusing funds I’d ring the Commission as they can investigate if necessary. uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/2-506-5226?transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc.Default)&firstPage=true

Raise it as a question with charity commission. The trustees are accountable for spending money in accordance with the charity's stated mission. If they're small they wont have to file but are still accountable and CC can require them to file and or investigate. They'd need good cause to investigate, not just a hunch so the more evidence you can provide the better. Also if more than one person complains etc.

Do they state they are a charity or that they are “not for profit” in which case they could have a different legal structure eg community interest company. Have you searched companies house website?

They say they’re a charitable trust - no I haven’t - good idea, I will do. Thanks

Another thing that can happen is that charities will have a legal name and a name they are known by so for example for a long time age concern England’s legal name was the ‘national council for old people’s welfare’ but they were known by everyone as age concern

Thanks everyone, really helpful info. They’re not registered on companies house either. Will investigate tomorrow!

If you google the name of a supposed trustee does any entry on cc or ch come up?

@LIZS

If you google the name of a supposed trustee does any entry on cc or ch come up?

Nope nothing , just the Facebook page and their own stuff