The Charities Regulator is asking people in Limerick to ensure that
unwanted clothing and other items they intend to donate to charity through house-to-house collections, actually go to registered charities.
“Our compliance team received a steady flow of concerns from the public during 2017 about individuals and organisations who are carrying out house-to-house collections, but are not registered charities,” Charities Regulator Chief Executive John Farrelly said.
“In many cases people are donating valuable items and, if they want these to go to charity, they must be vigilant.”
During 2017 the Charities Regulator received 30 reports from the public, expressing concern about people or organisations operating house-to-house collections of unwanted clothing and other goods, and whether or not they were registered charities.
“We are concerned not only by the quantity of reports we are receiving, but also the increasing trend in this regard,” Mr Farrelly said. As a result of the level of public concerns being raised, the Charities Regulator today published a public update on the issue.
Before making a donation, potential donors should ensure they are satisfied that the organisation they are making a donation to is a registered Irish charity.
Leaflets and bags received for clothing collections from registered charities should clearly display the charity’s name, its logo, its registered number and its contact details.
One of the functions of the Charities Regulator is to maintain a register of charitable organisations. All charitable organisations that intend to operate or carry on activities in the State are required to apply to the Charities Regulator for inclusion on the register. The register is available online and can be accessed here
If a member of the public suspects that an organisation is not in compliance with charity law they should contact the Charities Regulator on 01 633 1550 or by completing the online form here
Below are examples of labels in respect of clothing collections by organisations that are NOT registered charitable organisations. They were brought to the Charities Regulator’s attention by members of the public.
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