How does my donation make a difference?

Donating locally ensures funds go directly into the community

Local charities and voluntary community groups can have the most effective impact on the local issues affecting society. Their focus on the community translates into local ownership and they have the local knowledge to communicate and directly address those who are most in need of assistance and support. Localgiving.com only features charities that have been vetted by their local Community Foundation so you can be sure that your donation is spent in line with the group's charitable objectives.

Even a small donation to a local charity can make a big difference!

Currently 85% of donations in the UK go to the top 5% charities. Your donation can help address this discrepancy. Most local organisations operate at a grass roots level and often just don't have sufficient resources to provide for the growing demand on their services. For these local groups, even £5 can help them provide an additional service and/or extend their support for the particular issue or area they work with.

Your donation can raise awareness of the local charities activities

Many of the organisations on this site did not have a website before Localgiving.com. They struggled to build awareness of their services and activities for both beneficiaries and benefactors. With most people now using the internet for their research, it is crucial that local charities maintain an online presence. Your donation can provide the funds and the recognition they need to increase awareness of their activities both online and offline.

For every £10 you donate online, £11.85 will be received by the local charity

If you are a standard rate UK taxpayer, Localgiving.com will automatically reclaim Gift Aid from HMRC on your donation. This means that 28.2% will be added to your donation. Localgiving only takes its 6% donation contribution once the Gift Aid is received. Half of the 6% contribution is used to cover payment processing costs. The other half is given to the local Community Foundation as a donation for the critical services they provide to the local charities and the community. So, for every £10 you donate online with Gift Aid, the local charity will get £11.85 and the local Community Foundation will get 38 pence. If you are a higher rate tax payer, you can also claim the additional tax back on your income tax return.

Your support can empower a local charity to achieve its goals

Your donation can support and empower the very people who spend their time (often on a volunteer basis) tackling the issues of disadvantage that effect society. With their local resources and their knowledge, these charities are able to address these issues directly at source. They do rely on your donations to reach their goals.