GUIDE

How to Check if a Charity is Legitimate

Before you donate, here’s how to verify a charity is genuine and delivering real impact.

Step 1: Check Charity Commission Registration

Every legitimate charity in England and Wales must be registered with the Charity Commission (if income exceeds £5,000).

Step 2: Review Their Finances

On the Charity Commission page, you can view annual reports and accounts. Look for:

• Program spend ratio — What % goes to charitable activities vs admin?
• Income trends — Is income stable or declining?
• Reserves policy — Do they hold reasonable reserves?
• Audited accounts — Larger charities should have independent audits

Step 3: Check for Red Flags

Warning signs to watch for:

• ❌ No Charity Commission registration number
• ❌ Vague about how donations are used
• ❌ Pressure tactics or urgency to donate
• ❌ No published accounts or annual reports
• ❌ Unable to explain on-the-ground delivery
• ❌ New charity with no track record
• ❌ Collecting cash only with no receipts

Step 4: Research Their Track Record

• Search news articles for any controversies
• Look for impact reports and beneficiary stories
• Check social media for recent activity
• Ask other donors about their experience
• Look for third-party verification or awards

Step 5: Ask Questions

A legitimate charity should be happy to answer:

• How will my donation be used specifically?
• What percentage goes to the cause vs admin?
• Can you show evidence of on-the-ground delivery?
• How do you select and verify beneficiaries?
• Is my donation eligible for Zakat? (if applicable)