Charitable collections

If you wish to make an appeal to the public, by visiting house to house, or business to business, for them to give money or other property, whether for consideration or not, then you require a house-to-house collection permit from us to do so.

There is no fee charged for this service.

How do I apply?

You can apply using our online form. It takes about 10 minutes to complete.

We'll ask you for:

• Your personal details
• Charity name, address, and registered number
• The dates you wish the collection to take place
• A letter of authority from the charity you're applying to collect on behalf of
• If you are collecting goods by sack, we'll ask you to upload a photocopy of the sack

Before applying, please read the House to House Collections Guidance Notes

If your charity is exempt from requiring a permit, we ask that you still submit the form in order to notify us of the dates you wish to collect in Gravesham.

What do I do next?

You are required to keep records of any income and expenditure relating to your collection. If we accept your permit application, you will receive an email on the last day of your collection inviting you to submit your records using our online form. You'll need to submit your records within one month of this date.

Failure to provide your records is an offence under section 4[3] of the House to House Collections Act and may jeopardise any further applications you make for House to House Collections permits.

Once we've issued your permit, you can obtain copies of the Certificate of Authority and badges from The Stationery Office (TSO).

We often receive enquiries regarding the validity of collections. Please see the Institute of Fundraising website which gives further advice and details of whom to contact when in doubt.