This evaluation tested whether an extra email reminder could improve timely charity reporting. 

The evaluation used a randomised controlled trial (RCT) involving 15,000 charities that had not submitted their Annual Information Statement (AIS). Half of these charities got an extra reminder email sent directly to someone in charge. The other half didn’t get this extra reminder. The trial showed that a simple extra reminder to someone responsible can make a big difference and that testing ideas like this can help improve how rules and systems work.

Key findings

• The results showed the extra email worked.
• The number of charities submitting on time went up from 56% to 62%.
• Charities who got the extra reminder submitted their reports about 3 days earlier.
• This worked across all types of charities, proving simple nudges can boost compliance.