TAROE to register as charity to attract cash

The organisation, which represents tenants’ groups and individual tenants, has applied to register a new company - TAROE Trust Ltd - with the Charity Commission. The launch of the charity is expected to take place later this month, pending the approval of the commission.

Michael Gelling, chair of TAROE, said the move will enable the group to more easily attract funding, as organisations and businesses are more likely to donate to charities, and there are also tax incentives to do so.

Mr Gelling said TAROE needs to raise £150,000 or it may struggle to survive.

The organisation was told in 2010 it would no longer receive the £125,000 a year it was awarded through the Communities and Local Government department’s tenant empowerment programme from April 2011.

‘We have been struggling ever since and been relying on donations and support from friends of TAROE,’ Mr Gelling said.

TAROE needs the funding to enable it carry out its work visiting tenants’ groups and individuals around the country to give them advice and support. Its most recent abbreviated accounts filed with Companies House show it received nearly £100,000 in members’ fees last year, but it does not have any other source of income.

Mr Gelling said he believes TAROE can raise the money and has already lined up a £30,000 donation from an organisation in the sector, but would not reveal which one.

The charitable objects of TAROE Trust Ltd are ‘community capacity building, promotion of social inclusion and relief of financial hardship.’

Mr Gelling said: ‘We are the only tenant-led, tenant-focused body in the country.’