Stewardship and Tax Effective fundraising webinar recording

28 May 2021 Sandra Bailie    Last updated: 28 May 2021

On 26 May Deborah McWhirter delivered a webinar on Stewardship and Tax Effective Fundraising as part of our CFNI Accelerator programme funded by The Department for Communities. 

In this webinar Deborah highlighted In it she outlined the importance of stewardship, how we can make the most of our fundraising through Gift Aid and how to promote legacy giving. This article includes some key points, useful links and the recording of the session.

Stewardship

This is really thinking about what donors want and how we acknowledge them. It is about putting real effort into designing a plan for each donor or donor group and being committed to this as an organisation.

When people give money they want to:

  • To be recognised and acknowledged for your gift
  • Feel good about giving
  • Understand what the money is being used for
  • TRUST that your donation is being used in the way it’s portrayed.
  • See what it is being used for
  • Listened to – preferences taken in account.
  • Feel involved – a part of something

Tips for top stewardship

  • Accurate records of each donor’s involvement
  • Donor acknowledgement
  • Donor promise
  • Communications from different people
  • Be creative
  • Find a mentor charity
  • Ask donors what they want
  • Use simple language
  • Get donors involved
  • Be a marketer, not a seller
  • Be specific, try to avoid clichés

Tax Effective giving

Donations by individuals to charities or amateur sports clubs are tax free. This is called tax relief. Depending on how they choose to donate the tax goes to the charity or the donor.

Examples:

  • Higher rate tax payers
  • Donating land, property or share
  • Legacy giving
  • Payroll giving
  • Gift Aid

Gift Aid

The donor needs to - Pay tax, complete a gift aid declaration and inform the charity if they stop paying tax

The organisation needs to - Have a valid gift aid declaration, ensure the donation qualifies and complete the gift aid claim to HMRC

Small donations scheme - up to £30 no declaration needed, you can claim up to £2,000.

Sponsored events - if donation is less than £500 you can use participants name and address, don't need to list every donor

Legacies

Things to consider when getting started

  • Fundraising Regulator Code of practice on legacy fundraising
  • Start to mention it to donors
  • Why should some-one choose your charity?
  • Find your warmest, long-term donors and send them something
  • Demonstrate why donors should trust you
  • Don’t assume these are really old people
  • Join together – Will to Give!
  • Ask them
  • Free will making promotions with solicitors
  • Legacy event

Watch the recording

Stewardship and Tax Effective Fundraising from NICVA on Vimeo.

Resources

NICVA – individual giving report State of the Sector 

Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) | We Make Giving Count 

HMRC charities website Claiming Gift Aid as a charity or CASC - GOV.UK 

Fundraising regulator Ethical fundraising, sustainable giving | Fundraising Regulator

Link to fundraising code of practice Code Fundraising Practice October 2019.PDF 

Databases for smaller charities - Small Charities Coalition

sandra.bailie@nicva.org's picture
by Sandra Bailie

Head of Organisational Development

[email protected]

Share your COVID-19 support service

Organisations providing support to people and communities can share their service information here

> Share your support

Not a NICVA member yet?

Save time, money and energy. Join NICVA and you’ll be connecting in to a strong network of local organisations focused on voluntary and community activity.

Join Us

NICVA now welcomes all small groups for free.

Read more on...