Gift Aid is a government scheme that lets charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) claim back an extra 25p for every £1 donated by eligible UK taxpayers. This can significantly boost your crowdfunding campaign- for example, a £10,000 campaign could increase to £12,500 with Gift Aid!
Is My Organisation Eligible?
To claim Gift Aid, your organisation must:
Be recognised by HMRC as a charity or CASC.
Ensure each pledge meets HMRC’s Gift Aid rules.
Straightforward donations usually qualify. However, if a supporter (or someone connected to them) receives a reward, the pledge may not be eligible. You, as a project owner, are responsible for checking eligibility and following HMRC guidance. If in doubt, seek professional advice.
Enabling Gift Aid on Your Project
Go to your dashboard → Edit Project → Basics.
Tick Enable Gift Aid to add the option at checkout. Please review the HMRC guidelines on Benefits received by donors and connected persons before ticking this box.
For reward-based projects, tick the Gift Aid box only for rewards that meet HMRC criteria. Review HMRC’s guidance on donor benefits before doing so.
Tick the address box so you collect supporter names and addresses (required for HMRC claims).
👉 Note: Charity Profile Pages automatically enable Gift Aid and also include an optional Swiftaid integration. Unfortunately, Swiftaid is not available to CASCs, who must manage Gift Aid manually.
Claiming Gift Aid in 8 Steps
Check pledges and rewards against HMRC Gift Aid rules.
Enable Gift Aid on eligible rewards in your project settings.
The checkout will collect supporter names and addresses if they choose to Gift Aid their donations.
Run your Crowdfunder campaign.
Download your Gift Aid report (from Reports in your dashboard).
Submit your claim to HMRC, using:
You can find further information here: https://www.gov.uk/claim-gift-aid/overview.
Can Gift Aid Be Added After a Pledge?
Gift Aid can’t be added retroactively, but donors have two options:
Request a refund and re-pledge with Gift Aid selected (via Manage Pledges or by contacting support@crowdfunder.co.uk).
Complete a Gift Aid declaration form provided by the project owner. This can be submitted when you claim Gift Aid from HMRC.
Why Might Gift Aid Not Be Added?
Gift Aid is optional. A donor must:
Be a UK taxpayer.
Opt in during checkout.
If they don’t select the Gift Aid box, it won’t be added.
⚠️ Important: This guide is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult HMRC or a qualified professional if you are unsure about eligibility.