The Charities Regulator is advising the public to check the Charities Register as the first step when it comes to donating safely to charities this Easter.
“Easter can be an important time for charities when it comes to raising funds for their work,” Charities Regulator interim Chief Executive Helen Martin said.
“We want to ensure that people can donate to registered Irish charities and have some peace of mind. Checking the Charities Register should be the first step in this process.”
Donors can also take these steps before donating:
- Check the charity name, logo and Registered Charity Number (RCN) that appears on any collection leaflets;
- Ensure any fundraising materials have clear contact and registration details for the charity;
- Check that the person collecting the donation has official identification and has a permit to collect in that particular area;
- Ask if the collector knows what the charity does and can give examples of its work;
- Do not provide your personal, credit card or online account details to anyone unless you know that they are a trusted collector;
- If you think that there is something wrong, contact the charity directly and alert them to your concerns.
If any member of the public suspects that an organisation is not in compliance with the Charities Act 2009, they should contact the Charities Regulator Concerns service online or by phoning 01 633 1550.
NOTES TO EDITOR
The Charities Register is a free, online database that lists all registered Irish charities. It provides information on registered charities, including who the charity benefits and where it operates.
For more information: email press@charitiesregulator.ie