Why identification matters in charity fundraising
When donors give money, they need to know exactly who they are giving to. Establishing this trust is crucial for maintaining long-term supporter relationships.
Clear identification is both good practice and a legal requirement. Charities that fail to identify themselves properly can face regulatory action and lose public confidence.
The rules around charity identification vary depending on your legal structure and the materials you produce. Charitable incorporated organisations, unincorporated charities and charitable companies each have specific disclosure requirements under the Charities Act. Understanding what applies to you will help you stay compliant without overcomplicating things.
When you must display your charity number
All registered charities in England and Wales must state their registered charity number on official documents. There is no income threshold for this requirement.
The requirement applies to a wide range of materials, including:
- Letterheads and official correspondence
- Emails sent on behalf of the charity
- Websites and online donation pages
- Leaflets, flyers and posters
- Advertisements in print or online
- Notices and public announcements
- Membership communications and newsletters
Most charities include their registered charity number alongside a statement such as "Registered charity number 123456". This makes it straightforward for potential donors to verify your status on the Charity Commission register.
Scottish charities registered with OSCR have similar requirements, and charities operating in Northern Ireland should check the rules set by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Charities operating across multiple jurisdictions may need to display more than one registration number.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Identifying yourself in different fundraising situations
Clear identification applies whether you are collecting in person, running an online campaign or sending appeal letters. However, the presentation may differ depending on the context.
For face to face collections, collectors should wear visible identification showing the charity's name. When using a professional fundraising company, the Charities Act 1992 requires that a written agreement is in place between the charity and the fundraiser. Professional fundraisers must also inform potential donors of their status and the basis on which they are being paid. These requirements apply to telephone fundraising as well.
Online fundraising requires particular attention. Your website should display your charity number, registered address and trustees' names where required. Third party platforms like JustGiving or GoFundMe will usually prompt you to enter your charity details, but check that everything appears correctly on your fundraising page.
When sending emails or digital communications, include your charity details in a footer or signature block. This keeps things consistent and ensures every message meets legal requirements without cluttering your main content.
Staying on the right side of the rules
The Charity Commission publishes guidance on what charities must include on official documents, though the underlying compliance requirements are specified in legislation including the Charities Act 2011. The Fundraising Regulator also sets standards through the Code of Fundraising Practice, which covers identification requirements across various fundraising contexts.
If you are unsure what applies to your organisation, the safest approach is to include your charity number and registered status on all public facing materials. This removes any doubt about compliance, though you should factor in time for reviewing and updating existing documents.
Smaller charities may choose to display additional registration details voluntarily. Displaying registered details can reassure donors that you are a legitimate organisation and make it easier for them to check your record with the regulator.
Requirements can change over time, so review your materials periodically. A thorough annual review of your letterheads, website footer and standard email signatures will identify anything that has become outdated or incomplete. Building this into your compliance calendar ensures nothing gets overlooked.
My question is if, when and what on does the charity number have to be disclosed.
Thank you.
Ask Raising Funding a question
Ask our editorial team a question and we will reply with our advice. Tell us as much about your situation as you can: the more detail you give, the more useful our answer can be.
You do not need to use your real name. Please do not include your full address, phone number, email address, or the names of other people. We may edit or remove identifying details for privacy and legal reasons.
Comments are moderated before publication.