How Gift Aid Supercharges Donations

Giving more without spending more — that’s the power of Gift Aid.

At Toucan Giving, we work closely with charities across the UK to help them raise more through smart, streamlined giving. One of the simplest and most impactful tools in your fundraising toolkit is Gift Aid — a government-backed scheme that boosts donations by 25%, at no extra cost to donors.

Here’s what you need to know — and how we’re making Gift Aid easier than ever.

🧾 The Basics: What Is Gift Aid?

Gift Aid is a UK government scheme that allows charities to reclaim the basic rate of tax on donations made by UK taxpayers. That means if you donate £1 and opt into Gift Aid, your chosen charity receives £1.25 — without you paying anything extra.

Behind the Boost: How It Works

When a donor says “yes” to Gift Aid, they confirm they’re a UK taxpayer and have paid enough Income or Capital Gains Tax to cover the amount being reclaimed. The charity can then claim 25% of the donation value back from HMRC.

Why It Matters: The Real Impact on Charities

Gift Aid isn’t just a nice-to-have — it can be a vital part of a charity’s revenue. Here’s why it makes such a difference:

And thanks to today’s digital tools, collecting Gift Aid details is faster, more accurate, and easier than ever.

What Donors Should Know Before Saying “Yes”

Gift Aid is simple, but there are a few important things supporters should understand:

• You must be a UK taxpayer, paying enough Income or Capital Gains Tax to match the Gift Aid claim.
• A Gift Aid declaration usually applies to all donations (past and future) made to the same charity — unless otherwise stated.
• If your tax status changes, let the charity know to avoid any incorrect claims.

Going Digital: Making Gift Aid Effortless with Contactless Giving

At Toucan Giving, we believe giving should be easy — and so should capturing Gift Aid.

That’s why our contactless donation tools — like Toucan Tap and Toucan Collect — are built to streamline the donor journey and make it simple for charities to gather the right data.

Here’s how it works:

1. A donor makes a Contactless or Chip & PIN donation.
2. A QR code appears on-screen.
3. The donor scans the code with their phone and completes a secure Gift Aid form.
4. The declaration is securely stored in your Toucan Giving dashboard, ready for HMRC submission.

Gift Aid Declaration: What We Capture and Why It Matters

To help charities claim Gift Aid properly and securely, we collect a few key details from each donor. This keeps the process compliant with HMRC and ensures every eligible claim is valid.

What we collect:

• Title, First Name & Last Name

  Used to accurately identify the donor and validate their declaration.

• Email Address

  Enables confirmation of the Gift Aid form, sending a receipt, and sharing updates (if consent is given).

• Mobile Number (optional)

  Offers another contact option for supporters who prefer SMS.

• Postal Address

  Required by HMRC to verify UK taxpayer status.

• Marketing Consents

  Ensures the donor has full control over how they hear from you — fully GDPR-compliant.

Once submitted, the information is securely stored and made available through your Toucan Giving dashboard — ready for Gift Aid submission to HMRC.

We keep it simple, secure, and donor-friendly — helping you unlock more value from every donation.

Final Thought: A Small Step for Donors, a Big Win for Charities

Gift Aid is one of the easiest, most powerful ways to increase the impact of donations — and it doesn’t cost donors a thing. With the right digital tools, charities can claim more, faster.

Ready to Make the Most of Gift Aid?

Speak to our team today to find out how our donation technology can help your charity:

• Increase income
• Streamline giving
• Maximise Gift Aid across all channels

Let’s make every pound go further — together.