Charities Aid Foundation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) is a registered UK charity. Its Head Office is located at West Malling, Kent. Its role is to provide services and assistance to UK and international charities and their donors, as well as to promote donation to charity generally.
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[edit] History
In 1924 the National Council of Social Service set up a Charities Department to encourage efficient giving to charity. This department was later renamed the Charities Aid Fund while the National Council of Social Service became the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).
The Charities Aid Foundation took on its current name and form in 1974 when it was spun off from the NCVO as an independent organisation.
Currently it handles over £1 billion a year and employs more than 500 staff.
[edit] Key Personnel
Patron: HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
President: Sir Brian Jenkins GBE
Chairman: Lord Cairns
[edit] Activities
[edit] Services to Charities
The CAF provides financial services, such as banking and investment management, to UK charities. It also offers administration, training, fund-raising and consultancy services.
A recent survey[1] has shown that CAF bank accounts, specifically designed for smaller charities, give them better interest rates than are available to them in the major banks.
[edit] Services to Corporate Donors
The CAF operates the Give As You Earn scheme. It advises companies on their charitable donations and assists them to donate in the most tax efficient manner.
[edit] Services to Individual Donors
The CAF operates the Charity Account scheme which allows account holders to donate to charities using vouchers, by phone and on-line. Donations are eligible for tax relief under the Gift Aid rules. Donations may be anonymous and, because payments can only be made to genuine registered charities, the account prevents account holders from accidentally donating to bogus charities.
The CAF also advises and assists individual donors who wish to set up trusts or to leave a charitable legacy through their will.
[edit] Research and Lobbying
The CAF conducts research and publishes reports on matters related to charitable donation. It also lobbies governments to encourage support and tax incentives for charities and charitable donation.
[edit] References
- ^ Sylvia Morris (June 27th 2007). Bank accounts for charities. Retrieved on 2007-07-19.
