National Antivisection Society
The NAVS and charitable status
Unfortunately for a great many campaigning groups such as the NAVS, charity law in Britain is very antiquated, and the definition of a charity very narrow (defined in 1891).
In fact, the legal definition of a charity in the UK is so narrow that it does not include helping animals, so an animal charity has to show that its work for animals brings some moral benefit to people!
Charities are not allowed to campaign to change the law. In effect they are only allowed to alleviate suffering, not to lobby politically for change to prevent it. However, charities do get massive tax benefits.
Since charities are not allowed to campaign for legislative change, we cannot become a charity. Thus non-profit making campaigning groups such as ourselves and many others do not receive the tax benefits of charitable status, and are treated by the Inland Revenue as if we were companies making a profit. Some organisations set up a separate charitable wing for educational elements of their work.
Charities are not more noble, or more worthy, than non-profit campaigning groups such as the National Anti-Vivisection Society, Animal Defenders International, or the Lord Dowding Fund. The only difference between us is that campaigning groups have to struggle on paying taxes as well as campaigns expenditure, and charities are relieved of tax.
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