Bermuda’s charities have been reminded to make sure they are registered and compliant with legislation as the end of the year approaches.

The Ministry of Social Development and Seniors said the Government and charitable organisations must work together to ensure the third sector remained “credible and effective”.

“All registered charities must operate for the benefit of the public,” it said. “This public benefit must be detailed and very clear upon application for registration and in annual reports.

“The Registrar General has issued a Charitable Purposes and Public Benefit Guidance to assist charities with meeting this requirement. The submission of this detailed information is to ensure all charities function credibly.

“Both the Government and charitable organisations have a joint responsibility to maintain the confidence and trust of donors and the general public. To this end, the Government is currently preparing additional guidance notes for both new registrations and re-registrations.”

Under the Charities Act 2014, the Charity Commissioners have legislative authority to make sure charities meet requirements put in place to give the public confidence they are acting effectively and delivering the promised services.

To become registered as a charity, a group need to apply and submit documents to the Registry General including:

• a copy of the charity's constitution, which must have a dissolution clause;

• a copy of the charity’s bank mandate that requires financial transactions be approved by at least two independent trustees;

• a signed Charity Trustee Declaration Form for each trustee and a copy of each trustee’s government-issued ID.

“Renewal of charitable status or re-registration requires the submission of an Application to Register a Charity to the Registrar,” the ministry said. “This must be submitted 30 days prior to the expiration of the Certificate of Registration.

“When reviewing an application for re-registration, the Charity Commissioners will take into consideration the charity’s history of compliance with the relevant legislation which includes whether it has met the annual reporting requirements under the Act.

“Every registered charity is required under, the Act, to file an annual report using the form posted on the Registry General’s website. Trustees should include a detailed account of the organisation’s activities over the past 12 months and plans for the upcoming year”

Charities must also submit annual financial statements, a charity trustee declaration form for new trustees and the relevant annual fee.

The content of the financial statements required will depend on the annual income and/or asset value of the charity.

All registered and prospective charities are urged to visit the Government website to ensure the requirements are fully met when they apply, file annual reports or re-register.

For further information, email charityinfo@gov.bm or call 297-7739.