Gift Aid is a valuable tax relief that can significantly boost a charity's income. By understanding the rules and maximising donations, charities can make an even bigger impact for their communities.
On this page, you'll find valuable information, tools and resources, including advice from those within the charity sector, and CFG's corporate partners. And over time, we'll be adding new content and signposting helpful guidance.
If you've contributed to this page, thank you! Without our charity members, partners and supporters we would not be able to provide this resource.
If you'd like to support charities to maximise their Gift Aid claims, would like to support our annual Gift Aid Awareness Day campaign or have a story to tell about how you've increased your Gift Aid income, please get in touch!
Research and surveys
In summer 2024, CFG conducted a survey of 100 charity finance professionals to understand how charities find the process of claiming Gift Aid. Our report features key statistics and quotes which outline some of the issues faced by some charities, as well as some potential solutions. Read the report: Breaking down the barriers: Gift Aid survey results 2024.
Research by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) in summer 2024 showed that the public recognise the importance of Gift Aid but it's still underused. Read the report.
Policy and campaigns
Increasing awareness helps more charities and CASCs to maximise a vital source of income for the communities and beneficiaries they serve. Pledge your support and register to be notified on how to get involved next year. Support Gift Aid Awareness Day 2025.
The Future of Gift Aid Project - a cross-sector project led by CTG that advocates a move towards an automated Gift Aid system that would help unlock more than £500m of Gift Aid for charities each year.
Registering for and claiming Gift Aid
In this handy video, charity finance consultant and Gift Aid expert, Rachel Cooper, will take you through all you need to know to get going and successfully make claims.
Watch the video: Gift Aid 101 with Rachel Cooper and Richard Sagar.
HMRC provides advice on the claiming process, including 'What the donor needs to do' and what you can and cannot claim Gift Aid on. Read HMRC's guidance: Claiming Gift Aid as a charity of CASC.
There is also more comprehensive guidance in HMRC's Chapter on Gift Aid, from their detailed guidance notes on how the tax system operates for charities, updated in March 2024. Read the chapter: Guidance on Gift Aid
Maximising Gift Aid claims
Phoebe Cooper from RSPCA shares how the charity increased opt-in rates and income with behavioural economics and telephones.
Read the article: How RSCPA increased income through Gift Aid.
Phoebe also appeared on the Bright Spot Fundraising podcast with Rob Woods, to talk about the importance of Gift Aid and how successful it has been for the RSCPA, worth over a quarter of a million pounds for their charity.
Read the article: How we grew Gift Aid claim results; and adding WOW, with Phoebe Cooper.
Louise Veragoo from Haysmacintyre looks at the common difficulties charities face as well as some opportunities for getting the most out of your charity’s Gift Aid claim.
Read the article: Gift Aid: avoiding common pitfalls.
If your charity holds events to raise funds, the rules on when you can and can't claim Gift Aid can be tricky to navigate. Judith Pederzolli from PEM shares expert advice so you don't miss out on a single penny.
Read the article: Gift Aid: How to maximise donations made through fundraising events.
Dees your charity have membership subscriptions? Can you claim on them? It's a common question and one that CFG's corporate partner, Buzzacott, can answer. Read the article: Can your charity claim Gift Aid on membership subscriptions?
Gift Aid and individuals (taxpayers)
Giving through Gift Aid and creating a charitable trust are covered in this handy guide to reducing your tax bill. Read the article from Buzzacott: How giving to charity can reduce your tax bill.
MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis shares a brilliant explainer of Gift Aid and says: "say YES INDEEDY to Gift Aid". Access the advice and watch his explainer below: