Proportion of Applications for IPC Status Received, Approval Rates and Top Reasons for Rejection in Past Five Years

Ms Elysa Chen asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) over the past five years, how many applications for Institutions of a Public Character status have been received annually; (b) what has been the approval and rejection rate for each year; and (c) what are the top reasons for rejection, broken down by percentage.

From 2021 to 2025, the Office of the Commissioner of Charities received about 310 applications per year from charities wanting to obtain or extend their Institution of a Public Character (IPC) status. Within this five year period, less than 2% of the total number of applications received were rejected.

The key reasons for rejection include, amongst others, observations of regulatory non-compliance, gaps in the governance, internal controls and administrative practices, concerns regarding the charity's financial sustainability and failure to satisfy the conditions or considerations required for IPC approval. As applicants may be rejected for more than one reason, a percentage breakdown by reason is not available. Unsuccessful applicants may re-apply for IPC status after addressing the gaps identified.