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The Work of Charities

Currently in the UK there are approximately 170,000 registered charities who have registered by law as being charitable. A charity is a non-profit making organisation that aims to help people, animals or the environment. The charitable organisation has been set up with the specific purpose of establishing help to a needy cause through donations and through actions by the work that they undertake to support the cause.

Charities in England and Wales are regulated by the Charity Commission that ensure that the organisation is running as efficiently as possible as well as adhering to a number of laws and guidelines that have been laid down to govern their practices.

The work of charities is usually directed by a trust which comprises a group of individuals known as the ‘board’ of the charity and these people are responsible for the business direction. The aim of the trust is to firstly ensure that the charity is responsible and has correct financial accounts and strategies and plans for its future operations. Secondly, that it is relevant and that there are opportunities for development and growth and thirdly that it provides a rewarding infrastructure for all involved.

The aim of all charities is to work towards their mission statement or goal. For example, it is Cancer Research UK aim is to ‘save lives from cancer’. Charities work towards their aims in a number of ways from the fundraising and donations that they receive and from this they will look to fund a number of areas most appropriate for helping their cause. In Cancer Research UK case they use funds generated to further research and investigate cancer, generating information to provide cancer patients and the health profession as well as trying to influence public policy and keep cancer at the top of the public health agenda.

However, it is only through the charities fundraising efforts that they can afford to fund the areas that they feel will be most beneficial in their sector and such fundraising efforts include:

• Charitable donations made by people either through regular direct debit donations or being left money in someone’s Will
• Individuals and groups raising money through fundraising events
• Individuals donating to and spending money in the charity shops on the high-street
• Individuals volunteering to help out at one of the charities events or in one of the charity shops therefore reducing the overheads and financial commitment required by the charity

The work of charities is often referred to as a selfless act and in the recessional times that we are currently experiencing charitable donations are hit. It is therefore important that you support a charity that you are passionate about to ensure that it can continue to support the good cause that you believe in. There are many ways that you can contribute either by donating or getting involved in fundraising and volunteering. Do something rewarding today and start supporting a charity.