How UK Tax payers can maximise their Catenian Centenary Appeal donations.

(The regulations that cover Australian and other offshore Brothers are still being investigated: watch this space.)

In the UK we are all familiar with Gift Aid. For the most part the principles are very simple: there must be a clear audit trail, which identifies the individual taxpayer who makes the donation, and money for which you receive a benefit cannot be Gift Aided. A simple example of an ineligible donation is buying a raffle ticket.

In the 2008/09 tax year the UK taxman will add 25p to every pound you give through Gift Aid. Increasing your donation by 25% at no extra cost to you has got to be worth a little administrative effort. Higher rate taxpayers can obtain relief at the higher rate.

So how will it work?

Circle Fund Raising.

So that recipients can be helped as urgently as possible after the launch in May, Circle Treasurers are asked to send in money raised in batches, say quarterly. They should send a cheque directly to CAFOD (Romero Close, Stockwell Road, London SW9 9TY) clearly identifying the money as being specifically for the Catenian Centenary Appeal. Providing the Circle number is also stated clearly the money will be 'credited' to the individual Circle's fund raising cumulative total.

Where a Circle encourages one-off or regular collections (as opposed to raffles) the money donated by a UK taxpayer can be Gift Aided provided it is individually identified. CAFOD have special forms, which make this very simple and a version customised to our appeal will be available for download via the Catenian website portal from May 1st.

Individual Donations

In addition to involvement with Circle fund raising activities, individual one-off donations can be made at any time either direct to CAFOD or, hopefully, via the Circle Treasurer so the Circle's total achievement is enhanced. The downloadable CAFOD forms available from May 1st will provide the necessary audit trail to qualify these one-off donations for Gift Aid.

Anyone wishing to make a series of donations can, if they prefer, obtain a one-off Gift Aid form from CAFOD, which will cover all of their donations, but for tracking purposes these donations would have to be made directly to CAFOD.

Alternatively CAFOD will have available an online webpage for donations. Such donations would be made via a secure site using one's debit or credit card. The Gift Aid declaration can be made online. Although the donation will be added to the Catenian appeal total it will not be possible to 'credit' the amount to an individual Circle.

Direct Debit.

Those wishing to make regular contributions for the duration of the campaign can sign a Direct Debit via the CAFOD website, or by asking CAFOD for a Direct Debit form. Direct Debits can be covered by a Gift Aid declaration made at the time of setting up the Direct Debit. Standing Order forms are also available from CAFOD on request. Always ensure your donations are clearly identified for the Catenian Centenary Appeal.

Sponsored Events.

For those with energy or creativity or both, sponsorship forms are available which enable each taxpaying sponsor to Gift Aid their donation if they wish. They may also wish to use Justgiving.com an online sponsorship website. The CAFOD website has some useful tips on how to maximise sponsorship monies. www.cafod.org.uk/get_involved/fundraising/getting_sponsored

Corporate Giving.

Companies can make charitable donations using Gift Aid and such payments will be allowed for Corporation Tax Relief purposes. Talk to Bro John Rayer, Swanley Circle if you don't already know how to do this.

Legacies.

If someone dies during the Appeal Year, it may be possible to explore whether a deed of variation after death would enable excess monies from an estate to be channelled towards CAFOD for our appeal. Again talk to Bro John Rayer, Swanley Circle.

Organising a fund raising event in your parish, will create a positive impression of the Catenians. However, please check with the Parish Priest whether there is a Parish CAFOD organiser and liaise with him/her to avoid conflicting dates.

Information packs will be ready for the start of the 2008/09 Catenian Year. Meantime please direct any questions on these issues to: Bro John Rayer, Swanley Circle.

To return to the main Centenary Appeal page click here