What Do You Believe In?

National campaign launched to encourage people to give to their favourite causes

A new national campaign “What Do You Believe In?” is being launched today to encourage people to give to causes they care about.

Spearheaded by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), the campaign will encourage people to actively support organisations striving to make a difference to their local community or wider society.

Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, said:

“Charities offer amazing support to local communities right across the country thanks to fantastic donations and backing from the public.

“Lots of small donations make a huge difference to them. If everyone gave just £1 more a week, we’d raise an extra £3.1bn to help thousands more people.

“That’s why I’m asking ‘what do you believe in?’ to remind people of the work that still needs to be done to achieve the ‘good society’ and of the contribution they personally can make simply by giving to causes they believe in. Everyone from regular donors, to those who have stopped and those who have never given before can help.”

The campaign has wide-spread support from charitable organisations. It also has the backing of the Prime Minister.

Pledging his support, Gordon Brown said:

“I believe charities make a huge and positive contribution to local communities, which is why I’m backing this campaign to support thousands of organisations across the UK.”

As part of the campaign, four top tips are being promoted to help people give more to charity:

1. Identify charities working in your areas of interest by visiting websites such as www.thebiggive.org.uk or www.cafonline.org  to search through thousands of charity projects in specific geographic or subject areas and donate to them online.
2. Research organisations you are interested in by looking at their website and/or the Charity Commission (www.charity-commission.gov.uk) to ensure you understand how and where your money will be spent.
3. Consider giving to local as well or instead of national causes
4. Don’t forget to apply for Gift Aid (tax relief on your donation). This means the Government will reimburse your chosen organisation with the income tax you have already paid on the money. Opening a Charity Account, through the Charities Aid Foundation, also allows you to donate with Gift Aid as standard.

The campaign is supported by the The Big Give website, Institute of Fundraising, Charity Commission, Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA), Community Foundation Network, Fundraising Standards Board, New Philanthropy Capital as well as a plethora of individual charities.

For more information visit www.whatdoyoubelievein.org.uk

Media requiring more information, including case studies demonstrating how donations make a difference, can contact Jenny Legg or Grant Imlach in NCVO’s press office on 020 7520 2469/68; email jenny.legg@ncvo-vol.org.uk or grant.imlach@ncvo-vol.org.uk

Ends.

Notes to editors:

UK Giving Statistics
In 2008/09 a total of 54 per cent of adults (26.9million people) made regular monthly donations to charities, raising £9.9bn. The average donation was £10 a month.

NCVO
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk is the umbrella body for the voluntary sector in England, with sister councils in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.  NCVO has over 7,500 members, ranging from large national bodies to community groups, volunteer centres and development agencies working at a local level. With over 280,000 staff and more than 13 million volunteers working for our members, we represent and support almost half the voluntary sector workforce.

The Big Give website
People are encouraged to visit www.theBigGive.org.uk to search through thousands of charity projects in specific geographic or subject areas to find a cause they are interested in. Donations of £5 or more can be made directly through this site.

The Big Give aims to raise £6million in just five days next week (starting December 7) by match-funding donations made to 175 charities registered with the scheme. The £6m Matching Challenge will match all donations between £5 and £5,000 and is supported by “What Do You Believe In?”.

Community Foundation Network
Community foundations exist across the UK to connect donors with local organisations that are working to tackle disadvantage and create opportunities for people. The Cumbria Community Foundation, for example, is part of the emergency response to the Cumbria floods channelling public donations to those who need help. Donors who want to give locally are encouraged to contact their local community foundation to find out what is going on in their area. All the UK’s community foundations details are available from www.communityfoundations.org.uk or can be found by searching for “Community Foundation” on The Big Give website.

CAF Charity Account
A CAF Charity Account is a lot like a bank account, but for charitable donations.  All the money held in a CAF Charity Account receives Gift Aid automatically and you can donate to any charity easily via a charity chequebook, charity card or online through the CAF website. Cheques can also be used to sponsor friends and families who are taking part in a sponsored event or put in the collection plate at church.
 
A CAF Charity Account can be opened by setting up a direct debit for £10 or more a month, or a one off donation of £100. Alternatively, you can fund your account through Give As You Earn.  For more information on a CAF Charity Account, please visit: www.cafonline.org/charityaccount

Fundraising Standards Board
The Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB) administers the self-regulatory scheme for UK fundraising.  Launched in 2007, the FRSB commits members to the highest standards of fundraising practice, encouraging donors to ‘give with confidence’.  The scheme logo, displayed by all members, is a public commitment to best fundraising practice, to being honest, legal and open in their fundraising activities. Members abide by the Institute of Fundraising’s Codes of Fundraising Practice and The Fundraising Promise.  Visit www.frsb.org.uk for more information.

Gift Aid
Charitable donations are eligible for tax relief yet it is estimated that £750m is lost to the voluntary sector because of unclaimed Gift Aid. Currently about 40 per cent of donors use Gift Aid.