Gift Aid is a government scheme that allows charities to claim an extra 25p in tax for every £1 donated by a UK taxpayer. This can make a significant difference to the income of charitable attractions, and it’s something that all attractions should be making the most of.
There are a few reasons why Gift Aid is so important for charitable attractions. First, it’s a great way to increase your income. For every £1 donated with Gift Aid, you’ll receive an extra 25p from the government. This means that even a small increase in Gift Aid donations can make a big difference to your bottom line. Second, Gift Aid can help you to attract more visitors. When visitors know that their donation will be matched by the government, they’re more likely to be willing to give. This can help to boost your visitor numbers and increase your overall income. Third, Gift Aid can help you to build relationships with your visitors. When you ask visitors to sign up for Gift Aid, you’re giving them the opportunity to make a real difference to your charity. This can help to build goodwill and loyalty, and it can encourage visitors to come back again and again.
Of course, in order to make the most of Gift Aid, you need to make sure that your staff are properly educated about it. Many staff members may not be aware of what Gift Aid is or how it works. This is why it’s important to provide your staff with training on Gift Aid. This will help them to understand the benefits of Gift Aid and how to ask visitors to sign up.
There are a number of ways to educate your staff on Gift Aid. You could hold a staff meeting or workshop, or you could create a training resource that staff can access online. You could also provide your staff with a script that they can use when asking visitors about Gift Aid. By educating your staff on Gift Aid, you can help them to make the most of this valuable fundraising tool. This will help to increase your income, attract more visitors, and build relationships with your supporters.
Here are some tips for educating your staff on Gift Aid:
Start by explaining what Gift Aid is and how it works.
This could be a poster in your staff room, some training at your next team day or just a conversation to highlight the key points > Gift Aid is a government scheme that allows charities to claim an extra 25p in tax for every £1 donated by a UK taxpayer. This means that if a visitor donates £1 to your charity and they are a UK taxpayer, you can claim an extra 25p from the government. To be eligible for Gift Aid, the donor must be a UK taxpayer and they must have paid enough tax in the current tax year to cover the amount of Gift Aid that they are donating.
Highlight the benefits of Gift Aid for both the charity and the visitor.
For the attraction, Gift Aid can be a significant source of additional income. For example, if you have 10,000 visitors per year and each of them donates £1 with Gift Aid, you would receive an extra £2,500 from the government. For the visitor, Gift Aid is a way to make their donation go further. For example, if a donor donates £100 with Gift Aid, they are effectively donating £125
Provide your staff with a script that they can use when asking visitors about Gift Aid.
A script can help your staff to feel more confident when asking visitors about Gift Aid. The script should be clear and concise, and it should highlight the benefits of Gift Aid for both the charity and the donor.
Make sure your staff are comfortable asking visitors about Gift Aid.
Some staff members may be reluctant to ask visitors about Gift Aid. This is understandable, as it can be seen as an awkward question. However, it’s important to remember that asking about Gift Aid is a way to help the charity. You can help your staff to feel more comfortable asking about Gift Aid by providing them with training and support. You can also create a positive atmosphere where staff feel comfortable asking questions and sharing ideas.
Encourage your staff to ask every visitor about Gift Aid.
The more people you ask about Gift Aid, the more donations you’ll receive. This is why it’s important to encourage your staff to ask every visitor about Gift Aid. You can encourage your staff by providing them with incentives, such as a bonus for every donation they secure. You can also create a culture of giving within your organization, where staff are encouraged to donate themselves and to encourage others to donate.
By following these tips, you can help your staff to make the most of Gift Aid and raise more money for your charity. As well as educating your staff on what Gift Aid is and the importance of this, don’t forget that lots of your visitor might pre-book their tickets online, so make sure you have a personalised message on your online ticketing system to help encourage visitors to donate when booking online.