April 16th: Registration deadline
April 16th is the deadline for all charity organisations to register with the Charities Regulator. According to the Charities Regulator, there are a total of 221 charities operating in Co Kildare of which approximately 50% have engaged with the Charities Regulator to date. Charities that miss the deadline risk damage to both their reputation and finances – the regulatory body estimates that only 67 charities in Kildare have submitted their details this year so far.
I need not remind you that in recent years austerity measures saw funding cuts to many support services of national charities, organisations that provided vital counselling and family supports to persons coping with serious illness, age-related conditions, mental health issues, persons with special needs, the Homeless, etc.
Trust Hard Earned is Easily Lost
Trust and confidence are qualities that are hard earned and easily lost. Trust of the general public remains fragile as confirmed by a recent survey conducted by Amárach Research for Fundraising Ireland which found that 53% of respondents said that they had no opinion or didn’t trust charities to some degree.
“At the same time, the sector is doing incredible work. It helps people who have suffered ill health, who are homeless or in poverty and those who have been bereaved. It includes those who respond to global crises for which Ireland has a stellar reputation. Charity is reflected in the vital contribution of religious organisations, of educators and of our health care providers. Furthermore, every community across the country is knitted together by charities, small voluntary groups, who through a particular focus give neighbours an opportunity to share their time, learn a skill or talent and engage in activities to improve their local services and facilities”
Simplified Process
“Charities have had over a year to complete their details and file their first annual report with us and time is nearly up. We recognise that registration may seem daunting especially to smaller charities, so we have simplified the process. We have a dedicated team here in the office to help by email, through our website and over the phone.” explained Eamon O’Halloran, Head of Registration & Reporting at the Regulator.
The Charities Regulator was established in October 2014. Its vision “is for a vibrant, trusted charity sector that is valued for the public benefit it provides”. Achieving that vision requires the engagement and full participation of all of Ireland’s charities, large and small. The part of the Regulator in achieving that vision is to regulate the charity sector in the public interest so as to ensure compliance with the law and support best practice in the governance, management and administration of charities.
All registered charities are placed on the Public Register of Charities (see www.charitiesregulatoryauthority.ie) which provides details of who they are, what they are set up to do, and who is responsibe for running their organisation. Each year all charities will provide annual financial and activity details which will be published. Publishing each account provides every charity with an opportunity to show how they spend their money and what impact their money makes in other people’s lives each year. The Register provides transparency in the public interest.
If you are involved in a Charity then don’t delay. If you had a Charitable Tax Number from the Revenue Commissioners (CHY) before 16 October 2014 then you need to complete your details on the public register and file your first annual financial and activity report by 16 April 2016. If you do not have a Charitable Tax Number you must apply for charitable status and this application must be made by 16 April 2016. If you are a small community organisation we have made it as simple as possible.
If you are worried about meeting the deadline, or don’t know where to start, please contact The Regular as below: