We tend to think of charities as organisations that raise money or provide help for those who need it. Indeed, our page on Setting up a Charity explains that this is very much the legal definition. However, many charities are also actively involved in campaigning or what the Charity Commission calls ‘political activity’. This means that they try to change government policy, government actions, or the law, including at international level.

It will probably be obvious that sometimes this is the best way to achieve the charity’s aims and purposes. It is, for example, unthinkable that environmental charities would not seek to influence governments on climate change or deforestation. However, campaigning and political activity also have risks and implications for the charity, and are governed by strict rules and regulations.

Understanding Campaigning and Political Activity

It is clear from the box that political activity is a form of campaigning, when undertaken by charities. However, there may also be other forms of campaigning that do not come under the definition of political activity.

For example, charities might work to increase understanding and awareness of the benefits available to particular groups or individuals. This would fall under the broad definition of campaigning because it is a “political or social goal”, and the work is active and organised. However, it is not political, because it is not about changing policy. Instead, it is about ensuring that people are aware of what is currently available.

Non-political campaigns often focus on education or awareness-raising, or ensuring that current law and guidance are followed in full.

Engaging in campaigning and political activity

Charities are permitted to engage in both campaigning and the more specific political activity, but only if it is a way to achieve the charity’s purpose.

It must also not become the charity’s sole purpose.

In other words, an organisation that only campaigns or carries out political activity cannot be a charity. It is, effectively, a lobbying organisation. Many charities do a considerable amount of campaigning, but also other work on providing practical support for particular groups.

For example:

• Environmental charity Greenpeace is well-known for its campaigns and direct action to prevent pollution and reduce climate change. However, it has a separate Trust (also part of the charity) that provides funding for scientific research and education on environmental issues. The charity also funds projects that actively work to protect the natural environment.

• The charity Stonewall is perhaps best known for its political campaigning to change the law on homosexuality, and improve the rights of gay and transgender people. However, it also provides information, support and guidance as a practical measure to improve inclusion for these groups.

Before a charity embarks on any campaigning, the trustees or directors need to decide if the campaigning will help to achieve the charity’s purpose.

This means that the campaigning must be directly relevant to the purpose, and also that the trustees feel that it will actively help.

Campaigning that is not directly relevant is unlikely to support the charity’s purposes. For example, it is not acceptable or permitted for a charity to join a campaign simply because another local charity would like some support, or because one of the trustees is involved through another route.

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Making Decisions about Campaigning

Trustees’ decisions about whether the charity should use campaigning should be made in the same way as any other decision on charity activities. In particular, it should follow the principles and guidance laid out for charity trustees and directors by the relevant regulators.

You may find it helpful to read our page on Being a Charity Trustee or Director, which provides information about the role of a trustee.

Trustees should check their charity’s governing document to make sure that campaigning is not explicitly prohibited. Some governing documents specifically permit it, but this is not essential provided it is not prohibited.

As with any activity, a charity’s trustees need to be sure that they have considered and are seeking to manage the risks involved. They should also be clear that the risks are outweighed by the benefits.

You may wish to read our page on Risk Management to find out more about how to do this.

Trustees must be clear that the proposed campaigning is in the charity’s best interest, and that it will not damage the charity’s reputation. There may, for example, be some implications if the campaign is controversial, or likely to attract public criticism. Trustees will need to take action to ensure that they have managed this risk.

Charities must also remain free of any party political bias. They are allowed to work with politicians, and even support policies that are set out by a particular party. However, they must be prepared to engage with representatives from all political parties, and not just one.

Charities should also ensure that they actively demonstrate that they are maintaining their political independence. They should, for example, discourage politicians from using charity-led events to promote party-political views. Charities must also never give any money to politicians to support election campaigns, or promote particular candidates or parties during an election or at other times.

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A Final Thought

Campaigning may be a very good way for a charity to achieve its aims and purpose. It may also be easy to gather support for campaigning work. However, campaigning should never become the charity’s sole aim.

Charities must never forget that their primary purpose is broadly to provide money or help to those in need.

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