The GDS Data

GDS currently holds data on all incorporated and regulated Third Sector Organisations and at the heart of the GDS Third Sector Database is our unique information on the activities, organisation and finances of registered charities in England and Wales. Used by the Office of the Third Sector, the Department of Health, Department of Communities and Local Government, the Third Sector Research Centre, and numerous local and regional bodies, this data is at the heart of much of the policy, research and analysis work done by the public sector. Not to mention the banks, lawyers, brokers, utility companies and charities who use this same data to better engage with clients and to understand trends and needs in the charity world.

Why choose GDS Third Sector data?

  • GDS has integrated data from a range of sources to assemble a consolidated database of all incorporated and regulated organisations that satisfy the definition of the Third Sector.
  • The breadth and depth of financial, classification and descriptive data held by GDS far exceeds that of any other source. In addition to the basic regulatory data held on 169,000 registered charities, each year GDS processes every annual report it receives including the 70,000 registered charities that file annual reports at the Charity Commission each year. The GDS database holds up to 500 different items of information on each organisation including deep financial information, classification information, and extensive narrative information.

How is the data captured?

  • GDS receives a weekly feed of regulatory data from the Charity Commission and each month receives electronic copies of Trustees’ Annual Reports.
  • GDS has a well established team of accountancy qualified staff based in Sri Lanka dedicated to processing over 70,000 Trustees’ and Directors’ Annual Reports each year. The team is managed by the business intelligence experts Experian. 
  • Financial data is captured according to Statement of Recommended Practice for charities (SORP 2005).
  • GDS uniquely captures extensive narrative information on the activities, organisation and policies of registered charities.
  • Experian’s Business Intelligence database comprises of 50,000 UK Third Sector not-for-profit companies, social enterprises and industrial and provident societies.
  • GuideStar UK – Update my Charity enables charities to constantly update their details which thereby enriches the GDS database.