Most charities are run by honest, hard-working people, but generosity attracts fraudsters and, occasionally, well-meaning organisations that are poorly managed. A few minutes of research before you give can protect your money and make sure it goes where you intend. This checklist shows you how to check a charity using questions you can answer from public information, plus a few that are fair to ask the charity directly.
It is general guidance. Charity regulation varies by country, so use the official sources where you live.
Quick checklist
Tick these off before you donate:
- [ ] I know exactly which organisation is asking.
- [ ] It appears on the official charity register for its country.
- [ ] I can find clear information about what it does.
- [ ] Recent accounts or an annual report are available.
- [ ] I understand how my donation will be used.
- [ ] I have used an official website or payment method.
- [ ] I feel no pressure to act immediately.
- [ ] Contact details are real and reachable.
The sections below explain each point.
1. Is it registered?
Many countries have a regulator that keeps a public register of charities. In England and Wales, for example, this is the Charity Commission; Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own regulators.
What to check
- The charity’s exact name and registration number.
- Whether it is listed as active.
- Its stated purposes.
- Contact details and trustees’ names, where published.
Why it matters
Registration shows that the organisation has met certain legal requirements and is subject to oversight. Be aware that some small organisations are below the threshold for registration and may legitimately operate without it. In that case, ask more questions about governance and accounts, and weigh up whether you are comfortable giving.
Watch for
Names that closely resemble well-known charities. Fraudsters sometimes copy a real charity’s name or imitate its website. Check the registration number against the register, not just the name.
2. What does it actually do?
Read the charity’s website, leaflets or annual report. A good organisation can explain, in plain language:
- Who it helps.
- What activities it carries out.
- Where it works.
- What it hopes to achieve.
Ask yourself
- Does the description match the appeal I received?
- Is the work specific, or is it all general statements about “making a difference”?
- Are there examples of real activities, without exaggerated claims?
If an appeal uses a distressing image but you cannot find any information about the organisation’s work, be cautious.
3. Can I see the accounts?
Registered charities usually must file annual reports and accounts, and many publish them on their own websites as well as on the register.
What to look for
- Income: where the money comes from.
- Expenditure: how much goes on charitable activities, fundraising and running costs.
- Reserves: how much money is kept in the bank and why.
- Trustees’ report: what they say about the year’s achievements and challenges.
Interpreting what you see
Do not rely on a single percentage. Charities need to spend money on staff, premises, insurance, training and fundraising to function. A very low overhead figure can be a sign of an organisation that is underinvesting in safety or governance, while a high figure might reflect a necessary investment, or a problem. Context matters: a charity that runs a hospice has very different costs from one that distributes small grants.
Questions it is reasonable to ask
- How much of your income goes directly to services?
- How much do you spend on fundraising?
- Why do you hold the reserves you have?
Reputable charities are used to answering these questions.
4. Who runs it and how?
Charities are governed by trustees, who are legally responsible for ensuring the organisation is run properly. Check:
- Are trustees named?
- Is there a board with more than a couple of members, ideally unrelated to each other?
- Are there policies on safeguarding, complaints and conflicts of interest?
- Does the charity say how it handles personal data?
This level of detail is not always published, but you can ask. A well-run organisation will be able to tell you.
5. How will my donation be used?
If you give to a general appeal, the charity can usually decide how best to use the money. If you want your donation used for something specific, such as a named project, ask whether this is possible and what happens if more is raised than needed.
Consider asking:
- Can I restrict my donation to a particular activity?
- What happens if the target is exceeded?
- Will I receive an update on how my money was used?
6. Is the way I am being asked safe?
How you are approached tells you something.
Safer routes
- Going directly to the charity’s official website by typing the address yourself.
- Using a payment page on the charity’s own site or a recognised fundraising platform.
- Setting up a standing order or direct debit with details you have verified.
- Giving at a verified event or in a shop.
Riskier routes
- Cold calls, texts or emails asking for immediate payment.
- Links in messages from unknown senders.
- Door-to-door collectors who cannot show identification or a registration number.
- Requests for gift cards, cash transfers to personal accounts, or cryptocurrency.
- Collection bags posted through the door with vague details.
If you are unsure about a collector, ask for identification and contact the charity directly to confirm.
7. Red flags to take seriously
- Pressure to decide now. Genuine charities welcome time for consideration.
- Vague or evasive answers about registration, accounts or how funds are used.
- No physical address, or no way to contact them.
- Guaranteed outcomes that sound too good to be true.
- Payment requests to a personal account.
- Names very similar to well-known charities but with different registration details.
- Emotional manipulation that discourages you from checking.
- Requests for personal financial information beyond what is needed for payment.
If you suspect fraud, report it to the relevant authority in your country and to the real charity if it is being imitated.
8. Check community and crowdfunding appeals carefully
Appeals for individuals or local causes raised on crowdfunding platforms are not charities in the legal sense, even if they feel charitable. Ask:
- Who is organising the campaign, and can you verify they are who they say they are?
- Who will receive the funds?
- What does the platform say about verification and refunds?
- Is there a clear explanation of how the money will be used?
Where possible, contact the organiser through a trusted route before giving. Giving to people you know personally or through established local groups is generally lower risk.
9. Compare charities if you can
If you are unsure which organisation to support within a cause, you may find it helpful to compare two or three on the points above. Do not assume that the largest or most heavily advertised charity is the best fit for you. A small local organisation might make a bigger difference per pound in your area, while a national one may offer greater reach or expertise.
10. Keep your own records
- Save confirmation emails and receipts.
- Note the date, amount and method.
- If you claim tax relief, ensure you meet the conditions and keep the information required.
- Review standing orders and direct debits once a year to ensure they still match your priorities.
A worked example
Imagine you receive a leaflet from a group called “Riverside Hope Fund” asking for donations to help local families. You want to check it.
- You search the register for the exact name and registration number on the leaflet. If it appears, you note its stated purposes and whether they match.
- You read the charity’s website and look for recent activities and contact details.
- You skim the latest accounts. You see income, spending and the trustees’ summary.
- You call or email the contact address to ask how donations are used.
- You donate through the official website rather than via a link in a message.
This is a made-up example for illustration only. If at any step the answers are missing or do not add up, you can pause or choose another charity.
Frequently asked questions
Is a charity with high running costs a bad charity?
Not necessarily. Charities need people, premises and systems to deliver services safely. Look at the overall picture of what they achieve, their transparency and their governance, rather than relying on one number.
What if a charity is not on the register?
It may be below the registration threshold, newly formed, or not a charity at all. Ask them to explain their status, request information about governance and accounts, and decide whether you are comfortable giving.
How can I stop unwanted charity appeals?
Most countries have preference services or the right to ask a charity to stop contacting you. You can also contact the charity directly to ask to be removed from lists.
Should I give cash to street collectors?
Genuine collectors should wear identification, carry a collection tin that is sealed and display the charity’s name and registration number. If anything looks wrong, you can decline and give online instead.
Ways to Give: Donating Time, Money and Goods Compared
Charity and Trust Basics: Common Questions
Conclusion
Checking a charity does not require special expertise, just a few minutes and the right questions. Confirm that it is registered, understand what it does, look at its accounts, and be careful about how you are asked to pay. If something feels off, you are entitled to walk away. And when you find an organisation that answers your questions openly, you can give with greater confidence.
