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We know, you’re already ‘aware’ of Gift Aid. But how does it work, really?

Gift Aid is a UK government scheme that allows charities like Ferne 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!

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.

Does it actually make a difference?

Yes, absolutely!

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 #tickthebox if you are eligible. It also shows the vital role that trusted platforms play in helping us maximise every donation.

 

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!

To learn more about Gift Aid and your eligibility, head to the gov.uk website here, or our FAQs page here.  If you have any questions or need clarification on anything, please contact us at frm@ferneanimalsanctuary.org.

Please watch the CFG video below to learn more.

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