Charities

Charities
Charities are non-profit organizations with very specialized aims. They exist to raise funds for good causes and draw attention to the needs of disadvantaged groups in society.
Charities rely on donations to earn revenue. They aim to minimize cost by raising funds through events such as fetes, raffles and sponsored activities.

Benefits

Public recognition
Charities are generally recognised as a positive organization.
A lock on Assets
Charitable organizations are prevented from using their assets for any purpose other than to pursue their charitable objects. This means that the assets of a charity can never be used for other purposes or for private benefit.
Tax relief
Charities are not liable to pay corporation tax which is charged on clubs, societies and voluntary organizations.
Only 20% of the normal business rate is paid by charities on buildings which are occupied for their charitable purposes.
Disadvantages
Restrictions and requirements
Charities may face restrictions on the type of work that can be carried out or funded by them. For example, political activities and trading are both types of work which are subject to particular restrictions. Charitable status also means that the organisation must comply with administrative regulatory requirements including those relating to the preparation of annual accounts and returns.
Unpaid board
Individuals on the board of a charity (often called trustees) must be unpaid unless the constitution of that charity or the Charity Commission permits payment. In general, payment of directors for particular services (e.g. the payment of a counsellor who happened to be a director to provide counselling services) is not a problem but the Charity Commission will want a detailed explanation before it will allow a charity to include in its constitution a provision allowing payment of trustees for being trustees.
This feature of charitable status can mean that it does not appeal to founders of organisations who need to receive a salary for the work they do but want to retain control. A founder who becomes a charity chief executive will receive a salary as an employee of the charity but can be dismissed by its board. A founder who sits on a board of charity is usually unpaid and, in any event shares control and responsibility equally with all the other members of the board.

2 Limited trading
There are rules limiting the fund raising and the extent of trading that can be carried on by charities. Charities therefore often require a separate charitable company to undertake their trading activities.

Charities in Trinidad and Tobago
Families in action- to address the emerging problem of drug addiction in the country.
Bridge of hope- to provide a home environment for disadvantaged children to grow and develop in.
Adult literacy tutors association- to respond to the need for training tutors and to address the major literacy problem among adults.
ASTT It 's mission is to improve the quality of life of person 's with autism.
Chest and Heart Foundation (CHATT) is actively involved in prevention of diseases of the chest and heart, CHATT provides aftercare services for patients and their relatives and promotes healthy lifestyle.
Bibliography
http://www.uwtt.com/our-ngos.html http://www.ts-p.co.uk/uploaded/publications/information_sheets/Charities/advantages_and_disadvantages_of_being_a_charity.PDF Business Studies. Fourth Edition. Dave Hall-Rob Jones-Carlo Raffo-Alain Anderton. Edited by Ian Chambers and Dave Gray

Bibliography: http://www.uwtt.com/our-ngos.html http://www.ts-p.co.uk/uploaded/publications/information_sheets/Charities/advantages_and_disadvantages_of_being_a_charity.PDF Business Studies. Fourth Edition. Dave Hall-Rob Jones-Carlo Raffo-Alain Anderton. Edited by Ian Chambers and Dave Gray