Covid-19 Coronavirus

Website provides information hub for Island charities

Monday, 14 December 2020

A refreshed and easy-to-use web page recently launched provides a comprehensive one-stop information shop to help local charities register and meet ongoing requirements.   

The page at www.gov.im/charities provides an overview of the steps Isle of Man charities need to take in areas such as initial registration, record keeping and the filing of annual accounts and reports. It also sets out the duties and responsibilities of charitable trustees, and provides helpful guidance to assist charities create the legal documents which define their purpose and constitution. 

A modern legal framework for the operation of Island charities, the Charities Registration and Regulation Act 2019 came into force in April this year, replacing legislation from 30 years ago. 

The Act provides for a modern register of charities and an efficient regulation system, with some changes to the existing reporting requirements to ensure improved accountability. The updated web page is designed to help charities understand the changes, with step-by-step guidance offered on a range of topics alongside new forms and template documents, information bulletins, publications, events and a comprehensive FAQ listing. 

Under the Act, the functions of Registrar and Regulator of charities have been combined in one office, bringing the Island in line with practice in the United Kingdom, and these roles are now held in the Attorney General’s office under John Quinn QC.

Mr Quinn said:

‘There is an immense amount of charitable activity in the Island which is well supported by the Manx public. It is a mark of the caring, compassionate and generous community we are fortunate to live in. 

‘The update to charities’ law this year is to be welcomed, but I appreciate this has meant a degree of change for the dedicated volunteers and staff who run Island charities. It is only right however, that their responsibilities are clearly set out, that charities account for what they do and can demonstrate that monies held on trust are used for the correct purposes. This will ensure continuing public faith in the sector, for the wider benefit of our community. 

He added:

‘The new web pages explain the straightforward and necessary actions which are required for those who wish to establish and operate a charity. I am confident that Island charities will find the site useful and I encourage all involved to have a look.’ 

Members of the public can look up details of Manx charities via a link to a searchable index on the web page, and also included is a table of recent changes to the register of charities and a link to the register of charity mergers. 

A series of free seminars were held during the summer offering local charities an opportunity to find out how the legislation will affect them, and to raise any queries. Additional seminars will be held on Wednesday 16 December and Tuesday 12 January, for further details see the web page.

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