Campaign aims to double amount raised through payroll giving

A new phase of the Geared for Giving campaign launches today, aiming to double the amount raised for charities via payroll giving to £260m a year.

A group of the UK’s biggest employers, including ASOS, BT, Beaverbrooks, Experian, Linklaters LLP, and The Entertainer are funding a campaign calling for every employer in the UK with over 250 employees to offer payroll giving to their staff.

Geared for Giving aims to double the number of employees giving through the scheme to two million over the next five years. BT has committed to build a digital platform, which for the first time will enable any PAYE employee to request to sign up to payroll giving.

The scheme sees donations taken from an employee’s salary before tax each month, so where basic rate tax payers donate £10 a month the charity receives £12.50. Where higher rate tax payers donate £10 a month the charity receives £16.67.

Geared for Giving campaign backers said just 23 per cent of the UK’s largest employers currently offer payroll giving.

Campaign founder and CEO Peter O’Hara said payroll giving in the UK already raises the annual equivalent to Children In Need and Comic Relief combined, but it is far from reaching its potential.

“There is huge appetite and with the backing of top business leaders and such a large audience to engage with, we are looking forward to growing the supporter base to spread the Geared for Giving message in workplaces across the UK,” O’Hara said.

BT chair Sir Michael Rake said payroll giving is the simplest and most effective way for employers and employees to give to charity, and BT alone raises £3.5m for charities through the scheme every year.

“We encourage more British businesses to get behind the scheme to help deliver its true potential. At a time when charities need our support more than ever I am proud to be involved in the Geared for Giving Campaign.”