We would like to thank our churches and parishes for using the Gift Aid Lite and Gift Aid Small Donation Scheme (GASDS). Across the diocese, an extra £793,000 has been claimed back from HMRC on eligible donations in the last financial year. This incredible amount surpasses the previous year’s amount of £626,000 and will make a huge difference to growing mission and ministry in our parishes.
Over 200 churches in Manchester Diocese are registered with the Gift Aid Lite Scheme, and since June of last year our Giving, Generosity and Thankfulness team have been working closely with 18 of these churches to send backdated Gift Aid and GASDS claims to HMRC, resulting in repayments of over £88,000. Overall, the total value of the Gift Aid and GASDS claims repaid by HMRC during the 2020 to 2024 tax years is £2.75m.
Gift Aid enables charities to claim an extra 25p for every £1 donated by individuals at no extra cost to themselves, whilst GASDS enables churches to claim on cash or device donations of £30 or less from HMRC, without the need for a signed Gift Aid declaration from a donor.
Gift Aid Lite is an HMRC-approved service for the administration and claiming of donations received via Gift Aid and GASDS. This is a ‘free’ service available to all churches in the Diocese of Manchester using a web-based donations management software programme called My Giving Online. The diocese provides and supports the programme, including training new users, and pays the monthly licence fee (a saving of £15 per month).
These figures demonstrate the huge value of tax-efficient giving in boosting donations in our churches. If you would like to find out more about Gift Aid and GASDS, including how your church can join the Gift Aid Lite scheme, please contact Paul Bailey, Diocesan Giving Advisor, at paulbailey@manchester.anglican.org.