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Charity Regulator reaches out to faith-based charities

CHARITY COMMISSION News Release (26/07) issued by The Government News Network on 9 November 2007

The independent charity regulator, the Charity Commission, today launches a dedicated unit to provide support and expert advice to faith-based charities. The unit aims to strengthen the governance of faith-based charities; identify and support organisations that could be but are not currently registered as charities; and improve the regulator's, and society's, understanding of faith-based charities and the contribution they make.

The new unit will be headed by Ghulam Rasool. With extensive experience of working with faith communities at the grass roots, Ghulam has been actively involved in interfaith initiatives, religious education, and has been at the forefront of capacity building within faith organisations and upskilling of religious leaders. Ghulam has also worked on innovative projects with young people to promote tolerance and understanding between different faith and ethnic groups.

The new Faith and Social Cohesion Unit will lead the Commission's work with faith-based charities, building on the findings of a two year programme of workshops with representatives from over 800 faith-based organisations across 11 different faiths. Events were held with Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist communities as well as special meetings with the UK's smaller faiths such as Baha'i and Zoroastrianism, and a special multi-faith event for women only.

Feedback from representatives of all faiths focused on a desire for more face-to-face advice, tailored guidance and training for trustees from the Commission.

Key issues the Commission will take forward from the events include:

* Setting up the Faith & Social Cohesion Unit, a dedicated team to be a specific point of contact and source of advice on issues affecting faith-based charities. The unit's initial programme of work will focus primarily on Muslim charities and organisations, while a new Faith Advisory Group of external advisers from a range of faiths will play an important role in advising the Commission on policy and issues affecting all faith-based charities.

* A new outreach programme, with face-to-face events providing advice and guidance and the opportunity to meet representatives from other faith-based charities.

* Improving the accessibility of essential Commission publications and guidance for charity trustees with English as a second language.

Dame Suzi Leather, Chair of the Charity Commission, said:

"The number and variety of faith-based charities reflects the diversity of modern Britain. Charities are often motivated by religious belief and are important vehicles in bringing people together for the common good, and in building bridges across communities. Our programme of listening to and learning from faith-based groups has taught us a lot about how we can better serve their needs. Our new Faith and Social Cohesion Unit will enable us to continue and develop our work with faith-based charities, by promoting good practice and providing specialist advice, guidance and training to trustees.

Our new Unit will focus initially on Muslim organisations: not only is Islam Britain's second largest faith, but time and time again Muslim charities have asked us for help in strengthening their governance and tackling the lack of understanding and mistrust about their work within society. As the independent regulator of charities we have a duty to increase public trust and confidence in all charities operating in England and Wales.

Ghulam Rasool, Head of the Faith & Social Cohesion Unit, said:
"Faith-based charities are one of the fastest growing elements of the voluntary sector, and they make a huge contribution to communities across England and Wales. The Charity Commission has an essential part to play in celebrating the strength and vibrancy of this part of the sector and in supporting faith-based charities so they can maximise this contribution.
I'm delighted to be leading the Commission's new Faith and Social Cohesion Unit as we work hand in hand with the Muslim community to encourage more organisations to register with us, strengthen the governance of existing charities, and promote the valuable contribution they make to society."

Said Ferjani of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Body (MINAB) said:
"We welcome the establishing of the Charity Commission's new Faith and Social Cohesion Unit, and the important work it will be doing to promote the benefits to mosques of registering as a charity. We look forward to working closely with the Commission to support high standards of governance at mosques, with the wider community benefits that this will deliver."

Notes to editors:

1. The Charity Commission is the independent regulator for charitable activity in England and Wales. See http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk for further information.

2. Faith-based groups are one of the fastest-growing elements of the voluntary sector, and at least one in seven charities in England and Wales has a religious core. Work to date suggests there are at least 25,000 faith-based charities on the Central Register of Charities with a combined income of approximately £7.5 billion.1

3. In 2004 the Charity Commission began a long-term project aimed at extending the Commission's work with different faith groups. The first phase of work began with Independent Evangelical Churches, working specifically on developing model governing documents and building a positive relationship with these churches. The second phase involved a series of workshops with charities from a range of faiths. The Commission held 15 events between 2005 and 2007 with 800 delegates across 11 different faiths. Summaries of the feedback from the events held with Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist and Hindu charities are available on request.

4. The Commission will be setting up a Faith Advisory Group with broad representation from a range of faiths. This Group will play an important role in informing policy across the Commission.

5. The Faith and Social Cohesion Unit will be a dedicated team within the Charity Commission. The team will be:
* working to improve the Commission's and society's understanding of faith-based charities;
* engaging with faith communities to identify and support organisations that could be but are not currently registered with the Commission;
* assisting faith-based charities to improve their standards of governance and accountability and thereby increase their effectiveness; and
* working collaboratively to achieve and promote well run and effectively regulated faith-based charities.
The Unit's initial focus will be on mosques and other Muslim charities. A Project Board including representatives of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Body (MINAB) has been established to direct and evaluate the Unit's work and to provide specialist advice. For more information about the Unit's work see the Commission's website.

6. The Mosques and Imams Advisory Board (MINAB) has been founded by Al-Khoei Foundation, the British Muslim Forum (BMF), the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) and the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB).

7. The Unit's work is partially funded by a grant from the Department of Communities and Local Government.

1 These statistics are based on information taken from the Central Register of Charities in England and Wales October 2007.

For more information please contact: Jo Saunders on 020 7674 2528, Sarah Miller 020 7674 2366, or for Out of Hours: 07787 863 015