Online donations boost Gift Aid, claims Virgin Money

Charities should encourage their supporters to donate online, Virgin Money Giving claimed this week, as online donations have the greatest Gift Aid take up.

The government adds 28% to donations made with Gift Aid, so a donation of £1 becomes £1.28.

Research in 2009 found donors who give online are more likely to fill in the details needed for charities to claim Gift Aid.

Grant Bather, spokesperson for Virgin Money Giving, said the government’s decision not to increase Gift Aid means charities need to keep working hard to boost donations.

“Gift Aid is a priority for charities and the news that the Government is unlikely to raise this threshold means that charities need to make sure that Gift Aid take-up is at the highest possible level,” he said.

“By donating online, donors can easily acknowledge their Gift Aid eligibility, and charities can receive payments quickly and securely, which supports Nick Hurd’s pledge to drill down on bureaucracy in the sector.”

Currently, only 2% of charitable donations are conducted online.

“The [charity] sector should be working together to promote online giving as the most efficient avenue for improving Gift Aid take-up and raising overall donations for charity,” Bather said.

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