Charity Commission Concludes Investigation into Four Charities
In May 2025, a statutory class inquiry was initiated by the Commission after it was discovered that 105 charities had issued cheques exchanged for cash totalling £22 million between December 2021 and March 2023. The inquiry has seen charities participating in phases.
On 9th September 2026, the Charity Commission confirmed the completion of its investigation into four specific charities involved in this statutory class inquiry: The Z.S.V. Trust, Bnois Jerusalem Schools, Forty Limited, and Friends Of Yeshiva Daas Sholem Shotz.
The findings revealed that all four charities had issued open cheques during the investigation period. While the Commission established that each charity was engaged in activities aligned with their charitable objectives, it also identified misconduct and/or mismanagement in all cases. The use of blank or open cheques was deemed high-risk and indicative of inadequate oversight of charitable expenditures, which is a fundamental expectation for trustees.
Regulatory Action and Improvements
Since the inquiry commenced, all four charities have assured the Commission that they ceased the practice of using blank or open cheques. For those still operational, the regulator has provided a Regulatory Action Plan aimed at rectifying governance shortcomings and enhancing internal financial controls. Additionally, trustees have received regulatory advice and guidance to facilitate improvements in the management of their charities.
As part of the inquiry process, the Commission has engaged in information exchange with various government departments to ensure a comprehensive investigation.
Changes in Charity Management
Prior to the inquiry’s launch, Friends of Yeshiva Daas Sholem Shotz appointed an entirely new board of trustees, who ultimately decided that the charity could no longer function. Consequently, the regulator assisted these trustees in the charity’s winding up process, leading to its removal from the public register. The Commission has also supplied the trustees with guidance to clarify their responsibilities should they seek future roles as trustees in other charities.
Ongoing Inquiry and Future Actions
With the engagement with these four charities now concluded, the Commission’s statutory class inquiry remains active, involving several other charities as it continues to scrutinise evidence and determine suitable actions. It is standard practice for the Commission to publish a detailed report following the conclusion of an inquiry, outlining the issues investigated, actions taken, and the results of the inquiry.
For further details, the full inquiry report concerning the four charities can be accessed through gov.uk.
About the Charity Commission
The Charity Commission serves as the independent, non-ministerial government body responsible for registering and regulating charities in England and Wales. Its primary objective is to function as an expert regulator that operates fairly, impartially, and independently, fostering an environment where charities can thrive, build public trust, and fulfil their vital roles in enhancing lives and strengthening society.
Blank cheques refer to those that are signed but have the payee and amount left unspecified, while open cheques are signed with a value but no payee indicated.
The statutory inquiry was launched in May 2025 to address serious concerns regarding the utilisation of £22 million, with further details available through official channels.
Contact Information for Press Inquiries
For press-related questions, please contact the press office at pressenquiries@charitycommission.gov.uk. For out-of-hours inquiries, please call 07785 748787.