Non-profit organisation

Savvy_Sue

How long have they been running?

There is a sort of black hole where a charity hasn't yet raised £5000 so can't register as a charity.

There are also things like CIOs which are very new and we're all working out what the implications are.

You could just come straight out and ask them: you say you are a registered charity, please give me your registration number ... because I may be able to help with publicity on a certain website but have to give registration no. Or I want to raise some funds through the Virgin website but can only do this if you give me your registration no.

There are all sorts of 'good' reasons for needing to know the regn. no.

afm_2

They have been running for about 20 years, I think (at least, they claim that). So if a charity doesn't raise over £5000 and can't register because of that, surely they can't say they are a register charity?

Following advice from the Charity commission, I have raised my concerns with the charity first. I have even asked for their reg number but they never replied. I think the next step is reporting that to the Charity commission, which I wouldn't like to do without giving the charity a chance to explain.

PlutoinCapricorn

If they really are registered, there should be no problem with telling you the number. They could be just saying that to try to keep you happy. It is not necessarily a bad sign if a charity is too small to register, but they should be open about this.

Twenty years is a long time...

afm_2

So, I found out that at least one of these is not a registered charity. They possibly have charitable status for tax purposes but they don't have reg. number. However, they make it public that they are a registered charity and call rescues saying that they *are* a registered charity. I read online that if you are not registered, then you can't say you are, even thought you have charitable status. Isn't their claim misleading?

Without a reg. number, how can I check that they are real?
I tried to check on the Charity's commission website but couldn't find any information.

Also, in terms of public benefit, can they discriminate people as they wish? As I ask questions, they have decided not to give me a fair chance to rehome a cat. Even though they have several recommendations saying that I would give any cat a loving home, and there's a perfect match for me with no home to go to, they have kept me from rehoming it.
I don't care if I get a cat from them or not as I don't even trust these people to enter my home and to give them my money.
However, I can't take it when people are immoral. If they were putting the cat's welfare first, then surely they would have considered me.

I'm sorry for asking so many question. If there's any thread on this, can someone please give me a link for it as I couldn't find it? Thank you!

Wywth

How did you get on with the ASA?

afm_2

I didn't report it yet as I am not sure if it applies? They ask for money without any ID but then put informative flyers with the info of Reg. Charity (not asking for money) and say publicly that they are Registered Charity. Wouldn't the ASA get involved only if they were asking for money saying that they are reg.?

afm_2

Can I ask to see the charitable purpose document? Is that something that charities should provide when asked for?