Many organisations conduct fundraising appeals in order to finance their charitable activities. Under the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 a person or organisation wishing to raise money for charitable purposes — a fundraising appeal — must hold an authority to fundraise.
The management of charitable fundraising activities is a rewarding, though exacting task; but persons and organisations conducting such activities are aided by an Act and a code of regulations and authority conditions that provide prudent controls and working methods.
The objects of the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 are:
to promote proper and efficient management and administration of fundraising appeals for charitable purposes; to ensure proper keeping and auditing of accounts in connection with such appeals; and to prevent deception of members of the public who desire to support worthy causes.
How much of the Funds raised in Wales are spent in Wales?
OSCR published its first profile of the Scottish charity sector, Scottish Charities 2005 in January 2006. This was based on Annual Returns submitted to OSCR in advance of the commencement of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. We intend to publish Scottish Charities 2007 in spring 2008. This will provide our first profile of the sector based on Annual Returns and Monitoring Returns submitted in a full year.
In the meantime, we are able to publish some facts and figures summarised from the Scottish Charity Register. Key points are as follows.
The total annual income for charities entered in the Scottish Charity Register is over £10 billion. There are 19 charities responsible for 36.6% of the sector's total income. Two thirds of charities have an annual income under £25,000.
Powers over charities operating in Wales should be transferred to the Senedd from the British as is the case in Scotland and New South Wales.