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 (0845 600 8000 from Northern Ireland) if you suspect illegal activity.
Find out more about call charges
Taking a complaint further
Speak to a regulator if you’re unhappy about how the charity deals with your complaint.
Fundraising complaints
Contact the Fundraising Standards Board to complain about:
- the way you’ve been asked for donations
- how fundraisers have behaved
- a charity’s use of professional fundraisers
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 or financial irregularities to the Charity Commission if you’re a trustee or auditor of a charity in England or Wales.
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 without losing your job or being punished by your employer by making a whistleblowing complaint.
Email the Charity Commission if you’re in England or Wales.
Charity Commission - whistleblowing whistleblowing@charitycommission.gsi.gov.uk
There’s a different process in Scotland and Northern Ireland.