Charities Authority implements special initiative to allow registration of Melissa-related foundations and charities

In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies (The Charities Authority) has launched a special registration window to facilitate the fast-track processing of applications for registration as charitable organisations to aid national relief and recovery efforts.

The agency says the initiative allows new charitable groups, particularly those focused on humanitarian aid, community rebuilding, poverty relief, and environmental restoration, to obtain temporary registered charitable status to provide direct support to affected communities.

The special registration window will be effective over the period from November 17, 2025, to May 31, 2026.

Further, registration certificates will expire on or before May 31, 2026, and all specially registered charitable organisations will be wound up thereafter.

The department says there is no application fee and applications will be processed within 10 working days.

It says only unincorporated groups are eligible for registration under this temporary arrangement, adding that administrative and operational policies will be temporarily relaxed to support faster processing.

The agency says registration under this special initiative is a single occurrence with no allowance for renewal of certificates.

At the expiration of the registration certificates, the entity will be required to close all related accounts with the Tax Administration Jamaica.

Groups and other unincorporated bodies that wish to obtain registration under this special initiative are encouraged to visit the offices of the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies.

Further details on the application form and other registration documents can be obtained at https://dcfs.gov.jm.

Meanwhile, the department says we are aware that several entities may be seeking to solicit donations from the public under different names or causes.

As such, it is advising the public to ensure that donations are made only to Registered Charitable Organizations (RCOs).

Legitimate charitable organizations must be registered with the department and issued a valid certificate of Charitable Status, as per the Charities Act, 2013 and the Charities Regulations, 2022.

To verify whether an organisation is registered, click on the following link to view the current list of registered charitable organizations, or contact either the Charities Authority or the Companies Office of Jamaica - https://www.orcjamaica.com/uploads/charity/Charity_Listing_2023.xlsx

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