Everything You Need to Know about Charity Collection Bags

Charity collection bags are one of the most common ways for charities to raise money and help them to continue their vital work. Centurion Packaging has recently started providing collection bags which can be customised to reflect your charity's branding and contact details.

For members of the public, charity bags are one of the best ways to support causes close to their hearts, without any unwelcome intrusion. Typically they will be posted through your letterbox and have written instructions to explain what donated goods can be put in the bag.

In our latest blog, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about collection bags and why they are so important in the Third Sector.

Regularly donated items include unwanted clothes, shoes, toys or homewares which are either directed to a charity shop or a clothing bank. While it is important to state what you can donate, charities will also state on the bags, the items they cannot accept.

What Are Charity Bags?

As already stated, items in charity bags will usually be sold to raise funds for a charity or given to people requiring support.

Some charities will distribute and collect charity bags, but these tasks are often carried out by a company who supports the charity. This is a more cost-effective and resource-friendly way to get bags out to supporters instead of the charity doing it themselves.

Do Charities and Distributors Have Rules to Follow?

Both charities and the companies they work with will need to follow the Code of Fundraising Practice, which sets out the behaviour and standards expected of all fundraisers. If these rules are not adhered to, they could be investigated by the Fundraising Regulator.

The House to House Collections Act 1939 must also be followed, which requires them to have a licence or permit from their local authority when collecting donations from people's homes. There are, however, 47 national charities exempt from this law and do not need to register with their local authority.

What Information Is Required on Charity Bags?

Charity bags are required to have the following information on them -

• The name and registration number of the charity on the front and back of the bag
• The cause being fundraised for
• The distribution company's name, registration number and place of registration on the front and back of the bag
• How the money raised is divided between the charity and the company (if applicable)

If the charity or collection company is registered with the Fundraising Regulator, you will also see a Fundraising Bag on the bag.

How to Recognise a Genuine Charity Bag

The best way to ensure your charity bag is genuine is to contact the charity that the bag is claiming to fundraise for. You can also check the registers of charities in England to confirm if the organisation named on the bag is a registered charity. The other option is to contact Action Fraud to report your concerns.

Order Your Charity Collection Bags Today

If you are looking for charity collection bags, get in touch with Centurion Packaging and we can design bags exactly to your specifications. 

 

E-mail charitybags@centurionpackaging.com or Contact Us today with any questions.