Are N.Ireland Charities Ignoring Potential of up to £22,000 through Small Donations Scheme

The uptake on Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme has been very low - something yours truly predicted when giving evidence to the Committee for Social Development before its introduction.

The scheme is unnecessarily over-complicated and limited, but some modest changes in the last budget at least improves the accessibility of the fiendishly drafted and misnamed Community Buildings top-up. The chances are I have lost most people who would benefit from knowing about this scheme already - but it is worth up to £2,000 for each venue a charity operates in (subject to terms and conditions).

The point missed by many charities and community amateur sports clubs is the very simple principle that you can claim Gift Aid on donations of £20 or less without the obstacle of Gift Aid declarations from collection tins, buckets, voluntary admission donations and loose change giving etc. You can also add to your allowance up to £2,000 that can be claimed (on donations of £8,000) for each 'community building' or place where you provide charitable activity. The devil is in the detail but for a charity operating in all 11 local government areas it could be worth up to £22,000 in Gift Aid reclaimed on small donations - on top of standards claims.

The new Gift aid Small Donations Scheme rules also open it up to those who have not claimed Gift Aid in previous years - so charities (and amateur sports) really need to get a better understanding of this largely ignored scheme to add that extra 25% of unrestricted income that could make a real difference. As one minister of a local church told me - the scheme would enable him to employ a youth pastor - purely based on income already being received.

Should you want to access a training workshop on Gift Aid including the Small Donations Scheme - check out these sessions I am running in association with Volunteer Now in Belfast.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gift-aid-fundraising-for-charities-churches-and-amateur-sports-morning-tickets-33393615202

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