Breaking Down the Barriers: New Survey Highlights Missed Gift Aid Opportunities

Gift Aid rules can be complex, but the rewards are worth it. Let us help you simplify the process and maximise your claims.

A survey published by Charity Finance Group (CFG) has revealed that while Gift Aid continues to be a lifeline for charities and community sports clubs across the UK, many are still missing out on vital income.

Gift Aid currently provides £1.6 billion annually to the sector, but research suggests a further £560 million goes unclaimed each year. For many clubs and small charities, this funding could make the difference between maintaining services or having to cut back.

Key findings from the Gift Aid survey include:

• Barriers to registration and claiming – Some charities found HMRC’s process complex and time-consuming, especially smaller organisations with limited resources.

• Operational challenges – 20% of respondents said they found claiming Gift Aid difficult or very difficult, with rules around memberships and subscriptions often unclear.

• Lack of awareness – Almost half of charities surveyed had never claimed under the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS), and 11% had never heard of it.

• Missed opportunities – Internal record-keeping, staff turnover, and lack of digital tools mean many organisations aren’t maximising claims.

The findings also underline the importance of Gift Aid as mainly unrestricted income, giving charities and clubs flexibility to spend on what they need most whether that’s core running costs, programme development, or sustaining staff.

At a time when demand on charities is rising while resources are stretched, closing the Gift Aid gap could be transformative for thousands of organisations.

How CDS can helpAt Club Development Solutions, we support community sports clubs to access the full benefits of Gift Aid. From reviewing your structure and helping you register, to setting up robust processes for claiming, our team can help your club unlock a vital new income stream.