What is Gift Aid

Gift Aid is a UK government scheme that allows charities like Ferne Animal Sanctuary to reclaim an extra 25% on eligible donations made by UK taxpayers. Although donations to charities are not taxed when you give them, the Gift Aid scheme works by allowing charities to reclaim the basic rate of tax you’ve already paid on your income. For every £1 you give, we can claim an additional 25p from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), at no extra cost to you. It’s one of the simplest ways to make your donation go further. Whether it’s a one-off donation or a regular gift, Gift Aid can provide a significant boost!

Can I Gift Aid my donations?

There are some restrictions on who can legally sign up to Gift Aid. In order to be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be a UK taxpayer.
  You need to have paid Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the UK in the current tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount the charity will reclaim on your donations.

• You must make a Gift Aid declaration.
  This is a statement confirming that you want the charity to reclaim tax on your donation(s), and that you meet the tax conditions.

• You must be donating your own money.
  Gift Aid cannot be claimed on behalf of someone else’s donation. 

• You must inform the charity of any changes.
  You need to tell the charity if you stop paying tax, or your name or address changes, so they can update your record accordingly.

  Please note, it is the donor’s responsibility to ensure that they are eligible for Gift Aid before signing up. 

I’m eligible for Gift Aid — how do I sign up?

You can complete our online Gift Aid Declaration form here!   

If you’d prefer a physical form, simply drop us an email at frm@ferneanimalsanctuary.org. Our team will be happy to post one out to you!

How Gift Aid benefits the animals at Ferne

Gift Aid is incredibly valuable to Ferne. In 2024, we claimed £35,000 through our retail Gift Aid Scheme, £20,000 via tax claims on donations, and an additional £20,000 from third-party platforms collecting on our behalf. This demonstrates just how powerful Gift Aid can be, and how important it is to tick the box if you are eligible. It also shows the vital role that trusted platforms play in helping us maximise every donation.

Gift Aid FAQs 

What is Gift Aid, and why does it matter? Gift Aid allows charities to claim an extra 25p for every £1 you donate – at no cost to you. It helps your donation go further, simply and safely.

What am I agreeing to when I tick the Gift Aid box? You’re confirming you’re a UK taxpayer and pay enough tax to cover the Gift Aid on your donations. Gift Aid applies to all donations you make to charities (unless you opt out). Your donations are your own money, not someone else’s or a collection. You understand that if your tax status changes, you need to let us know.

Why do you need my name and home address? It’s a HMRC requirement. We use your details to match your Gift Aid claim to your tax records.

What if I pay tax at a higher rate? If you’re a higher rate taxpayer, we’re still only able to claim the basic rate of tax on your donation. However, you can claim tax relief on the difference between the 20% we claim and the tax you pay.

What happens if I move house or my tax status changes? You should let us know as soon as possible. It helps us keep your Gift Aid declaration valid and compliant.

Will you remind me if I need to update anything? We aim to keep you informed, but it’s your responsibility to let us know of any changes that may affect your eligibility.

Can I cancel my Gift Aid declaration? Yes, at any time. Just get in touch and we’ll make sure it’s updated on our system.

Why is this important? Incorrect or outdated declarations can lead to compliance issues for charities and HMRC repayments. Staying up to date helps us maximise your generosity, safely and legally.

Where can I learn more? To learn more about Gift Aid and your eligibility, please visit the gov.uk website at here. If you have any questions or need clarification on anything, please contact us at frm@ferneanimalsanctuary.org.