What is GuideStar UK?
GuideStar UK is a programme of GuideStar International, a UK registered charity based in London. GuideStar UK is a free public service allowing users to search for registered charities that meet their interests and then review information on their activities and finances, as reported to the Charity Commission and directly by the organizations to our site.
What can I use GuideStar UK for?
You can use the website to access information on the wide range of charities in England and Wales.
Many charities have provided specific information on how you can support them by donating, fundraising and volunteering. You can also seek support by identifying charities providing relevant services and information - whether it be national or local charities.
Further, grant-seeking charities may search specifically for grant makers in the database.
What type of information on charities can I find?
The primary source of our data is the Charity Commission who provide extracts from the Public Register of Charities and charity Trustees’ Annual Reports and Financial Statements. GuideStar UK also displays information provided voluntarily by charities that have access to easily edit and add to their entries on line.
The information displayed on each charity includes:
• Their Purpose
• Their Beneficiaries
• Their Activities
• Their Financial information
• Their Contact details
Charities can also add information including:
• Their recent accomplishments
• Their future events and campaigns
• Their latest press release and newsletter
• Their fundraising contact details
How does the search engine work?
The search engine provides you with a list of relevant charities based on your keyword search criteria. It will also provide a cluster of related charities which will help you narrow down your search.
How do I find a charity in my area or on a specific cause?
You can use the advanced search to find a charity in your local area by entering the name of your town or first part of your postcode. You can also use it to search by topic or issue.
What do I do if I find a charity I want to support?
If you find a charity you want to support you should read the ‘How to help this charity’ section of their entry. This is where charities give details of the types of support they require and how to contact them.
You can contact the charity directly and explain that you have found them through GuideStar UK. Please bear in mind that some smaller charities are run by volunteers so will not always have someone available to respond immediately.
What do I do if I have difficulty using the website?
Please contact us at info@guidestarinternational.org or by phone on 0207 250 8407 and we will be happy to assist you.
Does GuideStar UK provide funding?
GuideStar UK does not provide funding directly to charities. We encourage you to use the database to identify potential sources of funding for your work, and to contact these organizations directly for more information.
Can my charity be removed from the Website?
All information on the GuideStar UK Website is either collected directly from the Charity Commission or provided by charities directly via the Update My Profile utility. As such, all information is considered public by law. In order to present a comprehensive view of the entire population of registered charities, GuideStar UK displays all records of charities registered with the Charity Commission. Your information will not be sold to third parties without your permission.