What is Gift Aid?

Gift Aid is a special program in the United Kingdom that helps charities get more money when people donate to them. When someone gives money to a charity, the government gives the charity extra money on top of that. So if someone donates £1, the charity can get an extra 25 pence from the government, making the total value of the donation £1.25.

To qualify for Gift Aid, the person donating money must be a taxpayer in the UK. They also need to have paid enough in taxes to cover the amount of Gift Aid the charity will claim. The donation should be given freely, without expecting anything in return.

To make sure the charity can get the extra money, the person donating needs to fill out a special form called a Gift Aid declaration. This form confirms that they are eligible and gives permission to the charity to claim the Gift Aid.

Gift Aid is really important for charities because it helps them get more money to do their work. They can use the extra funds to help people in need, support education, protect the environment, and do many other important things that make the world a better place. So when you donate money and use Gift Aid, you're helping charities even more!