Atlantic Puffin Fair Isle Shetland

Support the charity through payroll giving

Payroll giving is a simple way for you to give to charity from your gross salary. ​The donation is taken before tax, meaning your money goes further in providing vital funds for your favourite charity.

How does it work?

  • Check with your employer if they’re set up with a Payroll Giving Agency (PGA).
  • Choose the amount you would like to donate each month. Remember, the donation is taken before tax, so for every pound you donate, you’ll only pay 80p (or 60p, if you’re a higher rate tax payer).
  • It’s really easy to change or stop your donations at any time – just notify your HR department and they’ll do the rest.

What are the benefits?

  • It’s an easy way for you to donate to your favourite cause, especially if you’re unable to donate your free time for fundraising or volunteering.
  • It’s tax efficient - your donation goes further by saving us the time it takes to claim Gift Aid, and it's the only way a charity can benefit from the higher tax rate.

Payroll Giving really is a simple way for employers and employees to support their favourite charity.

Deborah Meaden, Ocean Ambassador
Payroll giving table

Donation amount examples for tax rates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Payroll giving table Scotland

Donation amount examples for tax rates in Scotland

When we're all feeling the pinch, having something come out of your salary before you see it, and before tax, means you give a donation that will actually go further and is a lifeline for charities like the Marine Conservation Society.

Deborah Meaden

Payroll giving for employers

Getting started

  • If you haven't done so already, set your company up with a Payroll Giving Agency (PGA) like CAF, Charitable Giving, or Charities Trust​. A full list of approved agencies can be found on the Government website.
  • Donations are taken directly from your employees' gross pay, so every pound they give will only cost them 80p (or 60p, if they're a higher rate tax payer).
  • There's little to no cost to you. Some PGAs may take a small percentage of each donation (usually up to 5%), some don't charge at all, and some charge a fee per employee signed up. You can choose to cover this fee yourselves.
  • When you run your payroll, the donation acts as a deduction. The donation is taken from your employees' pay, before tax but after National Insurance. Send the donations to your PGA and they'll make the transfer to the chosen charities.
  • To encourage staff to sign up, you could offer to match donations, or donate a specified amount per sign up. Matched donations make you eligible for tax relief. ​

Benefits for your business

  • It demonstrates commitment to your corporate social responsibility objectives and boosts your reputation​.
  • It's a simple and efficient way to increase your company’s charitable giving, with little-to-no set up costs​.
  • Earn a Quality Mark Award - a Government award given to organisations who implement payroll giving​. You can be awarded this award if more than 10% of your staff sign up.
  • Improves staff morale by demonstrating you're an employer who cares about the causes important to them

Get in touch

If you'd like an introduction to Payroll Giving, we'd be happy to help. Drop our Fundraising Team an email for more details: [email protected]