About Charities

Discover more about charities in Scotland, Scottish charity law, and data and information about the Scottish charity sector.

Overview of Scottish charities

Find out more about the charity sector in Scotland, including what types of organisation can be a charity and how they work.

Search the Register

Search the Scottish Charity Register, download a copy and view the latest charities registered in Scotland.

Data and Research

Learn more about Scottish charities and the work they do across Scotland by exploring our data and research section.

Charity Law

Read more about Scottish charity law and the legislation that sets out OSCR’s powers and functions.

Learning from OSCR's Inquiries

Read about the common themes coming from our inquiry cases, and the lessons learned from this work that can help improve governance.

Fundraising by Scottish charities

Read more about how charities in Scotland use fundraising to help carry out their work, and how charity fundraising is regulated.

Charities at risk of removal from the Register

When charities fail to submit their accounts on time, and fail to engage with us, we have the power to remove them from the Scottish Charity Register.

Info for elected members

Find answers to the most common questions we receive from Councillors, MSPs and MPs about OSCR and the Scottish charity sector.

Notices and alerts

People entered into the Record of Removed Persons are disqualified from serving as charity trustees in Scotland unless they have a waiver of disqualification.

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