Am I eligible for Gift Aid?

The only requirement to be eligible for Gift Aid is that you’re a UK taxpayer, paying tax on your salary, savings, investments, pensions or capital gains.

You can add ‘Gift Aid’ on your donations if the total tax you pay is at least equal to the amount we, and other charities you donate to, can reclaim on your donations.

Those who are subject to higher tax rates are still eligible for Gift Aid. In fact, they are eligible for additional benefits, and they claim extra tax relief on gift-aided charity donations, on top of what the charity has already claimed.

If you’re unsure, give us a call or email fundraising@cancercare.org.uk

Are there any hidden charges?

No. It does not cost you anything extra to sign up to Gift Aid. This is because Gift Aid is paid to CancerCare directly from HMRC and is taken from tax you have already paid. It doesn’t affect your tax status either.

How does Gift Aid help CancerCare?

By signing up for Gift Aid, you can help raise more to support our local community.

Over one year* we raised over £29,000 in Gift Aid by amazing CancerCare supporters who ticked the Gift Aid box - enough to fund more than 900 hours of professional and compassionate support for local people facing cancer or bereavement.

*Data from 2023

Can CancerCare claim Gift Aid on sponsorship I’ve raised?

If you’re raising money for CancerCare by asking for sponsorship, your sponsorship form has a box for your sponsors to tick to confirm they're eligible. They won’t need to fill in a Gift Aid declaration form, but it’s important that your sponsorship form:

• Is an official CancerCare sponsorship form printed with the latest Gift Aid declaration wording
• Includes your name and address
• Includes each sponsor’s full name and home address, with the Gift Aid permission column either ticked or signed by the sponsor
• Is in the sponsor’s own handwriting
• Shows the amount donated by each individual sponsor

If you’re raising money using an online fundraising page (for example from JustGiving or MuchLoved) your sponsors will be automatically asked if they want to add Gift Aid to their donation.

Do I have to make a declaration every time I donate?

No. Once you’ve completed a Gift Aid Declaration, you won’t have to do it again for CancerCare. You should however let us know if your tax status changes by calling us on 01524 381820 or emailing fundraising@cancercare.org.uk. 

What can CancerCare not claim Gift Aid on?

We can’t claim Gift Aid back on:

• Donations made on behalf of someone else
• Donations raised by a group of people. Each donor has to sign/tick a Gift Aid declaration for their contribution on a sponsorship or declaration form
• Tickets/registration fees
• Items people buy from us, for example from our eBay shop or at our centres
• Money raised from competitions, like sweepstakes or raffles
• Donations given on behalf of companies (although companies can claim tax relief on donations to charities)
• Donations given through the Charities Aid Foundation or other charity agencies that are already tax-efficient
• Gifts in kind, where the charity receives goods or services instead of a cash donation

How do I make sure CancerCare gets Gift Aid from my donations?

If you’d like to help CancerCare raise more by allowing us to claim Gift Aid on your donations, click here to fill in a quick online form, or download a paper form and return a copy to:

CancerCare, Slynedales, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

What do I do if my circumstances change?

You should notify CancerCare if you:

Want to cancel the declaration

• Change your name or home address

• No longer pay sufficient tax

• You can do this by emailing fundraising@cancercare.org.uk or calling 01524 381820.

What do I do if I’ve said ‘Yes’ to Gift Aid by mistake?

If you think you may have ticked the wrong box, or you want to cancel any previous Gift Aid Declarations you may have given, you can call us on 01524 381820 or email fundraising@cancercare.org.uk