GOV.UK
Complain about a charity
Complain to the charity directly unless you suspect illegal activity, like terrorism or abuse.
Contact the police on 101 if you suspect illegal activity.
Taking a complaint further
Contact the regulator if you’re unhappy about how the charity deals with your complaint.
Fundraising complaints
Contact the Fundraising Regulator to complain about:
- the way you’ve been asked for donations
- how fundraisers have behaved
You can also complain on behalf of someone else.
Advertising complaints
Contact the Advertising Standards Authority to complain about:
- an advertising campaign you think is offensive, deceptive or inaccurate
- the amount of emails or mail you get from a charity
Other serious complaints
Report serious concerns to the Charity Commission, for example if a charity is:
- not doing what it claims to do
- losing lots of money
- harming people
- being used for personal profit or gain
- involved in illegal activity
There is a different process for reporting serious concerns about charities in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Responsibilities of trustees and auditors
Report serious incidents to the Charity Commission if you’re a trustee of a charity in England or Wales.
Auditors must report any financial irregularities to the Charity Commission when examining a charity’s accounts.
Read the guidance for trustees on reporting serious incidents.
Charity employees with serious complaints
You can report suspected wrongdoing in any organisation you work for by making a whistleblowing complaint.
Email the Charity Commission if you’re in England or Wales.
Charity Commission - whistleblowing whistleblowing@charitycommission.gsi.gov.uk
Read about how the Charity Commission deals with a whistleblowing complaint.
There’s a different process in Scotland and Northern Ireland.