08 August 2008
The Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) Law will come into force on 8 August 2008 following the approval of the States of Jersey and the Privy Council. The aim behind the Law is to comply with international standards designed to prevent NPOs being used for terrorist financing.
The law requires all NPOs to register by 8 November 2008 and they can do so by completing a simple one page document and returning it to the Jersey Financial Services Commission. Registration can be completed online, via the anti money-laundering pages on the Commission website.
Alternatively a printed form can be picked up from the Commission or Parish Halls.
Following registration the Commission will complete a risk assessment of the NPO sector. NPOs will then be divided into two groups, depending on whether or not an NPO is considered to be “significant”. In line with international standards, an NPO will be significant where it accounts for a significant portion of the financial resources under the control of the NPO sector in Jersey; and also a substantial share of the sector’s international activities.
A key part of the role of the Commission is to provide outreach to Jersey’s NPOs to help them understand what they need to do in order to comply with the law. The Commission is running a “surgery” for NPOs and their officers, in relation to the new law, on Wednesday 13 August between 5pm and 7pm at St Paul's Centre, St. Helier.
Anyone who is uncertain about these processes, or about any question, such as whether an organization is an NPO, or whether it might benefit from an exemption, should contact the Commission for guidance on 822034.
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Notes to Editors:
For further information please contact Andrew Le Brun, Director of International and Policy, Jersey Financial Services Commission on 822055 or James Mews, Finance Industry Development, Chief Minister’s Department on 440444.To register interest in attending the surgery on 13 August please contact 822034.
An organization will be an NPO within the meaning of the law (and therefore required to register) if: (a) it is established solely or primarily for charitable, religious, cultural, educational, social, or fraternal purposes with the intention of benefiting the public or a section of the public; and (b) it raises or disburses funds in pursuance of those purposes. However, an organization funded by membership subscriptions used purely for the benefit of its members will not be an NPO. There are also exemptions for NPOs which raise funds of less than £1000 a year and those with a director or trustee who is already subject to regulation by the Commission.
It is important to note this law is solely concerned with combating terrorist activities. It does not extend to the general regulation of charities.
The NPO Order will be amended once the significant organisations have been identified.
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