Giving
How to Choose a Charity to Support
Giving to a good cause feels right — and a two-minute check before you give makes sure your generosity reaches the people you intend it to. This guide shows you how.
Quick answer
Church Near Me explains how to choose a charity to support in the UK — confirm it is registered, check its accounts and how much reaches the cause, and use Gift Aid. You can verify any of the UK's 214,948 registered charities free on CharityCompare before you give.
Why Check Before You Give?
Most UK charities are genuine and well run — but a small number are inefficient, badly governed or, occasionally, outright fraudulent. A quick check before you give protects your money and makes sure it reaches the cause you care about rather than being absorbed by excessive costs.
Checking takes minutes, costs nothing, and means you can give with confidence — whether that is a one-off donation, a regular gift, a church collection or a legacy in your will.
The Three Things to Check
- — Is it registered? Every genuine UK charity is registered — with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, OSCR in Scotland, or CCNI in Northern Ireland. Ask for the registered charity number and look it up. Unregistered 'charities' asking for cash are a warning sign.
- — Are its accounts up to date? Registered charities must file annual returns and accounts. Accounts filed late, or not at all, suggest weak governance. The filing record is public, so you can check it yourself.
- — How much reaches the cause? Look at how the charity spends its money — how much goes to frontline work versus fundraising and administration. There is no single 'right' ratio, but transparency about spending is the hallmark of a charity you can trust.
Check Any Charity Free in One Place
You do not have to trawl three regulator websites to do this. CharityCompare covers all 214,948 registered UK charities and gives each a free Clarity Score from 0 to 100, built only from official regulator filings — financial transparency, cause spending, governance and filing record.
It is free for donors, takes no commission on donations, and scores cannot be bought. Search a charity by name or browse by cause and city, compare up to four side-by-side, and see exactly which filing produced the score.
Giving to Churches and Christian Causes
Churches that are registered charities are regulated like any other — most Church of England parishes are registered via their Parochial Church Council (PCC), and the same checks apply. If you are moved to give after a service or to a Christian charity, you can look the organisation up and check its filings first, exactly as you would for any other cause.
Thinking further ahead, many people also choose to leave a gift to their church in their will — often the largest single gift they ever make, and one where a careful check of the charity's details matters most.
Make Your Gift Go Further with Gift Aid
If you are a UK taxpayer, tick the Gift Aid box when you give. The charity reclaims the basic-rate tax you have already paid, adding 25p to every £1 at no extra cost to you. Higher-rate taxpayers can claim back the difference through their tax return. It is the simplest way to make a verified gift work harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a charity is genuine before I give?
First confirm the charity is registered with the UK regulator — the Charity Commission for England and Wales, OSCR in Scotland, or CCNI in Northern Ireland. Then check that its accounts are filed on time and look at how much of its spending reaches its cause. CharityCompare shows all three as a free Clarity Score from 0 to 100, built only from official regulator filings.
What is a good charity spending ratio?
There is no single correct figure, because costs vary by cause and size. What matters most is transparency: a charity that files full accounts on time and explains its spending clearly is easier to trust than one that does not. Very high fundraising or admin costs relative to cause spending can be a red flag worth a closer look.
Are church collections and Christian charities regulated?
Yes. Churches and Christian charities that are registered charities are regulated exactly like any other UK charity — they must file annual returns and accounts with the regulator. Many Church of England parishes are registered charities (usually via the Parochial Church Council), so you can look them up and check their filings before giving.
Is it safe to give to a charity I have never heard of?
It can be — small and local charities often do excellent work — but verify first. Check the charity number, that accounts are filed on time, and that the people fundraising are genuinely connected to the charity. A free rating such as CharityCompare's Clarity Score lets you check a charity's record in a minute before you commit.
How can I make my donation go further?
Use Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer — it adds 25p to every £1 at no cost to you, because the charity reclaims the basic-rate tax you already paid. Giving regularly also helps charities plan. Finally, giving to a well-run charity where more of your money reaches the cause means your gift works harder.
Should I check a charity before leaving a gift in my will?
Yes — a legacy is often the largest gift a person ever makes, so it deserves the most care. Confirm the charity's full registered name and charity number, review its accounts and spending, and make sure its work still matches your values. Then have your solicitor record the details precisely in your will.
Check a Charity Before You Give
Search every registered UK charity and see its free Clarity Score — so your next donation goes to a cause you can trust.
Check a charity on CharityCompareExternal link — free for donors, no commission on donations.