Unincorporated associations

When does an unincorporated association have to register with us?

Unincorporated associations must register with us when they make political contributions of more than £37,270 in any calendar year.

This means that you will need to notify us if your association makes either:

  • a single political contribution of more than £37,270 or
  • a number of contributions that add up to more than £37,270 in a calendar year

Political contributions are any of:

  • a donation or a loan to a registered political party
  • a donation to a registered non-party campaigner
  • a donation to a registered referendum campaigner
  • a donation to a registered recall petition campaigner
  • a donation or loan to a regulated donee, which is:
    • a holder of elective office
    • a member of a political party
    • a group of party members (also known as a members association)

A political contribution only counts towards your total if it is over £500.

You must notify us within 30 days beginning with the contribution date – that is, the date that you made the contribution that took your total over £37,270.

Any unincorporated association that intends to make political contributions of more than £37,270 should keep records of all gifts they receive that are worth more than £500.

Last updated: 15 February 2024