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Trust & independence

Can I trust a 5-star charity completely?

In short: Five stars mean the filings look exceptionally clear on our published bands (90–100). They are not a guarantee of impact, values alignment, or that every future year will look the same. Read the profile, red flags, and the charity’s own report before you give.

Data from CharityCompare editorial, last updated .

A 5★ rating is Exceptional on paperwork: timely accounts, a coherent spending mix, and governance signals that meet the top Clarity Score band. It is still a filing-based score.

It does not mean:

  • the programmes are independently proven to work
  • your donation will be spent this month
  • the charity matches your politics or faith
  • there will never be a future inquiry or a bad year

Treat 5★ as a strong accountability filter, then read the trustees’ annual report and any red-flag cards. Scores cannot be bought. If a charity disagrees with its rating, the route is what if a charity disagrees, not payment.

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Look up any UK charity's free Clarity Score from regulator filings.

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