OSCR registers 10,000th charity
The Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) has registered its 10,000th charity.
The milestone was achieved when Aboyne Canoe Club (Scottish charity number SC047329) was granted charitable status on 19 April 2017.
Scotland’s first ‘new’ charity was granted charitable status by OSCR in May 2006, ten days after we took up our full powers. That year we went on to grant 676 organisations charitable status.
To become a registered Scottish charity, an organisation must complete an application for charitable status to OSCR. If successful, they will achieve the status and appear on the Scottish Charity Register. To maintain the status, charities must meet their on-going responsibilities, which include reporting to the regulator annually.
Since OSCR registered the first ‘new’ Scottish charity we have also removed on average 850 charities a year, granted consent to 9,200 changes to charities, and handled around 3,000 external concerns about charities.
OSCR’s Head of Engagement Jude Turbyne said:
“This number should not be taken lightly; a lot of work goes into making sure an organisation has the right to call itself a Scottish charity.
“We meticulously scrutinise each application. The work requires expert knowledge, enthusiasm and vigilance.
“Successful organisations have taken the time to understand our guidance and demonstrated to us that they have charitable purposes and provide public benefit.
"In addition to acknowledging the hard work of OSCR staff, we would like to recognise and thank the other bodies that have supported organisations with their applications for charitable status.
“If any organisation is thinking about becoming a Scottish charity, our website provides guidance on what is involved.”
Background
- The Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is a Non-Ministerial Department and part of the Scottish Administration following commencement of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.
- We are the independent regulator and registrar for around 24,000 Scottish charities including community groups, religious charities, schools, universities, grant-giving charities and major care providers. Our work as regulator ultimately supports public confidence in charities and their work.
- Guidance on becoming a charity in Scotland is available here - http://www.oscr.org.uk/charities/becoming-a-charity
- The Scottish Charity Register is available for anyone to search on our website – www.oscr.org.uk