The Charity Commission has ended its intervention into Hope Not Hate Charitable Trust after concerns were raised about its relationship with a similarly named private company.
As part of efforts to distinguish itself from Hope Not Hate Limited, a non-charitable and private campaigning organisation, the charity has changed its name to Hope Unlimited Charitable Trust.
This came after “repeated complaints” were flagged by the commission over several years regarding the two organisations’ relationship.
It was not clear, the commission said, if the activities of Hope Not Hate Limited were connected to and or endorsed by the charity.
In 2024, the commission set out a “clear expectation” to trustees that they should take steps to improve clarity around the charity’s activities and relationship with the company.
The commission then opened a compliance case in July last year after fresh concerns were raised.
Today, the commission announced it had closed its case as it was satisfied with the steps the charity took to distinguish between itself and the private company, but criticised how long it took to do so.
Changes made and to be implemented
The charity changed its name, recruited three independent trustees and reviewed its website to remove unclear references to “Hope Not Hate Limited” after being prompted by the commission.
A secretary has been appointed by its trustees and the charity has told the regulator that it will appoint an administrator and grant fund manager externally, both paid roles.
These appointments will have no existing role at Hope Not Hate Limited, the commission added.
The commission set an expectation that the charity should evidence its grant-making decisions when called upon, and called on it to provide more detail on its newly-established grant criteria.
It added: “The regulator has advised the charity […] that it must apply its policies fairly and consistently when considering recipients.”
The regulator also contacted Hope Not Hate Limited to request that the company updates its website, nominally its references to the charity.
Joshua Farbridge, Charity Commission head of compliance visits and inspections, said: “Charities must not be party political. All trustees have a duty to ensure their work not only follows the law on this, but is clear and transparent.
“We have been critical of the time it has taken for legitimate concerns to have been addressed by the charity but it has since made positive steps forward.”
Farbridge added that the commission expects the charity’s changes to be maintained and said it would monitor its progress.
Hope Unlimited Charitable Trust and Hope Not Hate Limited were both contacted for comment.
