Registration of charities in Northern Ireland should begin this autumn after Royal Assent was granted on the bill to amend the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 last month. 



The Charity Commission Northern Ireland (CCNI) began a consultation on its public benefit and registration guidance on February 4^th. Twelve consultation events will be held before May 6^th 2013.

Chief Charity Commissioner, Tom McGrath, said: “The legislative problem that has held up registration to date has come as a great source frustration for the Commission and we appreciate the patience of all working in the charity sector. We are now keen to get on with the important task of registering charities in Northern Ireland."

Registration is expected to take some time and will begin with a pilot phase involving 20 organisations. CCNI estimates that there are between 7,000 and 12,000 charities in Northern Ireland.

Charities need not do anything at the moment in terms of registration. The Commission will make further information available throughout the year.

Meanwhile, a study for the Republic of Ireland’s Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising by Pathfinder Research suggests that charitable giving in Eire could receive a boost despite the recession if charities approach donors in the right way. A tangible vision and outcome to rally around are key, it says.

Barriers to giving include bank charges, a lack of connection with the cause, and charities not being open about administration costs and chief executives’ salaries.

The research follows on from the report of the Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising published last summer. It highlighted the need for a national giving campaign to develop mass awareness of the importance of philanthropy.