launch of the latest edition of the Directory of Registered Charities.

The 1995 directory, which provides profiles and contact names for 132 of the Island's 230 listed charities, is particularly aimed at providing clear and accurate information for corporate donors.

Compiled by the Centre on Philanthropy, a non-profit organisation that advises charities free of charge on how to launch successful fund-raising campaigns, the directory goes a long way to help lure corporate donors, claims project director Mrs. Pamela Shailer.

Businesses, she said, wanted clear and easily accessible information on charities before allocating hotly-competed-for corporate dollars.

"A lot of major companies give to charities but a lot like to see that charities are organised, who's involved and what their goals are,'' she said.

Human Affairs Minister the Hon. Jerome Dill praised the Centre's efforts at the launching yesterday.

"The Government welcomes this development,'' he said. "It is extremely user-friendly.'' He added it heralded a new degree of co-ordination and organisation by charities.

"There is no point having the services available if donors can't find them,'' he said.

Information provided spans charities' aims, particular programmes, history and information on fund-raising efforts and in some cases, money raised.

Bank of Bermuda representative Mr. David Lang also saluted the efforts of volunteers who produced this year's directory -- the third edition since its first publication in 1993.

The book, he said, painted a "vivid picture'' of the hundreds of charitable organisations on the Island and people who run them.

Volunteers, Mrs. Sharon Mickiewicz, Mrs. Janice Cunliffe, Ms Jean Marie Saltus and Mrs. Jackie Smith compiled the information. Printing costs were covered free of charge by the Bank of Bermuda.

The publication is available free from the Centre on Philanthropy at 16 Wesley Street in Hamilton.

Anyone who would like a copy or would like to have a profile of their charitable organisation included should contact the Centre at: 292-5320.

The Centre also publishes a newsletter three times a year which provides the 2,400 charities and donors it targets with up-to-date information and advice.

NEW PUBLICATION -- The 1995 edition of the Directory of Registered Charities was launched at a luncheon yesterday. Present (from left) were: Human Affairs Minister the Hon. Jerome Dill, Mr. David Lange of the Bank of Bermuda, Centre on Philanthropy executive director Mrs. Nancy Smythe, project director Mrs.

Pamela Shailer and project volunteer Mrs. Jackie Smith.