Charity Commission concludes investigations into four charities as class inquiry continues
The Charity Commission has concluded investigations into four charities and found misconduct or mismanagement over the use of blank or open cheques.
Four investigations concluded
The Charity Commission says it has concluded investigations into four charities that were part of a statutory class inquiry involving 105 charities. The charities are The Z.S.V. Trust, Bnois Jerusalem Schools, Forty Limited and Friends Of Yeshiva Daas Sholem Shotz.
The Commission says it found evidence that all four charities issued open cheques between December 2021 and March 2023. It said each charity was undertaking charitable activities in line with its charitable purposes, but recorded a finding of misconduct and/or mismanagement in all four cases.
The regulator said blank or open cheques are high risk and do not provide the effective oversight of charitable spending expected from trustees.
Governance measures
Since the investigations began, all four charities have confirmed to the Commission that they no longer use blank or open cheques. The regulator issued Regulatory Action Plans to those still operating, requiring them to address governance weaknesses and improve internal financial controls. Trustees were also given regulatory advice and guidance on running their charities.
Friends Of Yeshiva Daas Sholem Shotz appointed a completely new trustee board before the inquiry opened. The trustees decided that the charity could not operate. After engaging with them, the regulator helped wind up the charity, which has since been removed from the public register. The Commission also gave the trustees advice and guidance about their responsibilities if they apply to become trustees of another charity.
Wider inquiry remains open
The Charity Commission says it exchanged information with other government departments as part of the inquiry. Its statutory class inquiry remains ongoing because several other charities are still included while the regulator examines evidence and considers appropriate action or a response.
The Commission says it normally publishes a report after an inquiry concludes, setting out the issues examined, action taken and outcomes. It said the full inquiry report into the four charities is available on GOV.UK.
The Charity Commission published the announcement on 9 September 2026.
Key takeaways
- The Charity Commission concluded investigations into four charities within a statutory class inquiry involving 105 charities.
- The regulator found all four had issued open cheques between December 2021 and March 2023 and recorded misconduct and/or mismanagement in each case.
- The four charities said they no longer used blank or open cheques; operating charities received Regulatory Action Plans, while Friends Of Yeshiva Daas Sholem Shotz was wound up and removed from the public register.
- The wider class inquiry remains ongoing, with other charities still under examination.
FAQ
Which charities were included in the concluded investigations?
They were The Z.S.V. Trust, Bnois Jerusalem Schools, Forty Limited and Friends Of Yeshiva Daas Sholem Shotz.
What did the Charity Commission find?
The Commission found evidence that all four charities issued open cheques between December 2021 and March 2023. It recorded misconduct and/or mismanagement in all four cases.
What action was taken after the investigations?
The charities confirmed that blank or open cheques were no longer used. Charities still operating received Regulatory Action Plans, regulatory advice and guidance.
What happened to Friends Of Yeshiva Daas Sholem Shotz?
Its new trustees decided the charity could not operate. After engaging with them, the regulator helped wind it up, and it was removed from the public register.