In response to repeated requests in the ongoing consultation process with GuideStar, charities are to be offered a preview of the service throughout September before the site goes live.

GuideStar UK (www.guidestar.org.uk), the long awaited comprehensive database of registered charities in England and Wales, said it had written to all 167,000 charities featured on the site, providing a password which would allow them to view their entry and add to it.

Charities will be able to see the information about their activities and finances before the site goes public, and will be able to add logos, links and other information. The process is not obligatory and there is no deadline for updating entries.

Letters with passwords are due to arrive during the first week of September, and will be addressed to the named charity correspondent on the Charity Commission’s public register. Charities that do not receive a password (and would like to) should email info@guidestar.org.uk for further information.