Mary Talks Charity with Muslim Community

Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield, met with local mosques and community organisations this week and encouraged them to register as charities.

Many community organisations and mosques don’t realise that by registering with the Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, the money they are given could go even further, helping them to make an even greater impact on their communities.  

Mary Creagh MP is encouraging organisations in Wakefield that think they might have charitable status to contact the Charity Commission on 0845 300 0218 to find out how they can register.   

The MP for Wakefield hosted a meeting at her constituency office today, 23 July, to discuss the benefits of charity registration and the process involved.  Attendees included representatives of local mosques and community groups, as well as staff from the Commission’s Faith and Social Cohesion Unit.  

Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield said: “Wakefield is home to many Muslim charities, all of which make a huge contribution to our community.  Having met today with representatives from the Charity Commission’s Faith and Social Cohesion Unit and heard about the important work they are doing, I am more convinced than ever before about the need for mosques to register as charities. “I’d encourage anyone who has not yet registered their group as a charity to visit the Charity Commission’s website and find out how becoming a registered charity could help you maximise the impact your organisation makes with the funds it raises."

There are many benefits of registering as a charity. Charities registered with the Charity Commission: ·        

• Have the benefit of a charity registration number and the badge/brand of charity, increasing public trust and confidence in their organisation.
• Can maximise the financial benefit of donations through Gift Aid arrangements. This means that currently for every £1.00 donated through Gift Aid charities can claim back up to 28p from the government.
• Benefit from generous tax breaks – they do not normally have to pay income/corporation tax, capital gains tax, or stamp duty, and gifts to charities are free of inheritance tax.      
• Have access to free expert advice and tailored guidance from the Charity Commission. Registering as a charity is not a complicated process, visit the Commission’s website: www.charitycommission.gov.uk or call 0845 300 0218 for further information.